National School Lunch Program

Students may qualify for free or reduced cost food services. Please print and complete the application posted below and mail into our office if you have not already received notification of your student's status. Direct Certification notification letters are mailed to your home. All students MUST reapply yearly.

Free and Reduced Price Meals are available to families who believe they may qualify. If your family chooses to apply please complete a "Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form." The forms can be obtained and returned (completed) to any school cafeteria or office. You will be notified by mail of your child's status. Until notification you must provide your child with a lunch or lunch money.

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. This information may also be used for other state or federally funded school benefits.

Factors considered in the application process are household size and total household income. HOUSEHOLD SIZE is considered all persons, related or unrelated: Including parents, children, grandparents who live in your home and share living expense. The TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income. � DO NOT INCLUDE FOSTER CHILDREN.

Foster Children - In certain cases, foster children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals regardless of your income. Please fill out one application per foster child.  If you have foster children living with you and want to apply for them, please contact us.

In accordance with California and UDSA regulations Santa Cruz City Schools is required to do a yearly review of applications to make sure that only eligible children receive free or reduced price benefits.  This process is called Verification and begins each October 1st.  A random 3% sample of approved applications are selected each year.  You will be notified via mail if your application was selected.

Meal Applications

Turn in Applications to:

Please turn in your completed application to a Food Service Worker in your school Cafeteria.

Answers to Common
Application Questions