Application for Educational Benefits

Only complete one application per family. The information you give will be used to determine or prove your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. 

Completing and submitting this application provides the district with compensatory revenue that directly supports our schools and our students’ education.

Compensatory funding supports students at Fridley Public Schools by:

• Providing additional teachers for reading intervention and extended math instruction.
• Supporting smaller literacy instruction class sizes in elementary schools by reducing the teacher – student ratio.
• Providing student guidance and support services (deans and counselors) who support students on attendance, school completion/graduation, and college-career readiness.
• Supporting direct instruction for English language learners.

To apply online: 

• Online application process averages 10-15 minutes.
• The Application for Educational Benefits is located in the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. You will use your current parent portal username/password to complete this application. Once you access the parent portal please click on "More" on the left hand side of the page to access the Meal Benefits. 
• Factors considered in the application process are household size and total income. Please also include all members of household including college aged students on your application.
• Parents/guardians only need to complete one application per family.

Please contact Kathy Backstrom at 763-502-5021 if you have any questions. 

Does your child need health insurance?  Minnesota Health Care Programs Notification

APPLICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS (also known as Free & Reduced Meals Application) FAQs

1) Who can get free school meals?
Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and foster, homeless, migrant and runaway children can get free school meals without reporting household income. Or children can get free school meals if their household income is within the maximum income shown for their household size on the instructions. To apply for full school meals, please complete The Application for Educational Benefits form.

2) I get WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children get free school meals?
Children in households participating in WIC or Medical Assistance may be eligible for free school meals. Please fill out an application.

3) Who should I include as household members?
Include yourself and all other people living in the household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends).

4) May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens for your children to qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.

5) What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally get. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get overtime only sometimes. For seasonal work, write in the total annual income.

6) Will the information I give be checked?
Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.

7) How will the information be kept?
Information you provide on the form, and your child’s approval for school meal benefits, will be protected as private data. For more information see the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits. 8) If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. Please complete an application at any time if your income goes down, your household size goes up, or you start getting SNAP, MFIP or FDPIR benefits.

9) I get WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children get free school meals?
Children in households participating in WIC or Medical Assistance may be eligible for free school meals. Please fill out an application.

10) Who should I include as household members?
Include yourself and all other people living in the household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends).

11) May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens for your children to qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.

12) What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally get. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get overtime only sometimes. For seasonal work, write in the total annual income.

13) Will the information I give be checked?
Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.

14) How will the information be kept?
Information you provide on the form, and your child’s approval for school meal benefits, will be protected as private data. For more information see the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits.

15) If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes. Please complete an application at any time if your income goes down, your household size goes up, or you start getting SNAP, MFIP or FDPIR benefits.

If you have any additional questions or need help completing an application, please contact Kathy Backstrom at 763-502-5021.