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- Financial Assistance: Free & Reduced-Price Eligibility
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Financial Assistance: Free and Reduced-Price Meals
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Through the National School Lunch Program, financial assistance is provided to families to ensure students have access to healthy, nutritionally balanced meals each day. Families may receive free or reduced-price eligibility through either Direct Certification or by submitting an application, which is determined based upon federal income-eligibility guidelines.
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Free and Reduced-Price: Application
Should you need assistance, you may apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits through the online application. The online application is easy to complete and is definitely the quickest and most efficient way to have your eligibility confirmed.
Please note that families can apply throughout the school year should their financial situation change.
If determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals, the eligibility remains for the full school year and carries into the first 30 operational days of the next school year.
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Free and Reduced-Price Eligibility: Direct Certification
- All children in households receiving benefits from MA SNAP, MA TAFDC, FDPIR, or specific categories of Medicaid are eligible for free meals.
- Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
- Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
- Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
- Children may receive free or reduced-priced meals if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-priced meals if your household income falls at or below the limits that are established annually.
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Free and Reduced-Price Documents
Free and Reduced Meal Program Documents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Free and Reduced Meal Program (English)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Free and Reduced Meal Program (Chinese)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Free and Reduced Meal Program (Portuguese)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Free and Reduced Meal Program (Spanish)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Free and Reduced Meal Program (Russian)
Downloadable Paper Application - Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program
English:
Instructions
ApplicationSpanish:
Instructions
ApplicationNote - Please use the paper application only if you cannot complete the online application.
Additional Fee Waivers and Financial Assistance
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Newton Public Schools Fee Waivers If you are eligible for paid or reduced-price meal benefits, you are also eligible for district financial assistance and fee waivers. However, if you receive benefits through Direct Certification, you need to apply for district waivers through Aspen as an additional step. This is a very simple but necessary process. Please review the steps as described on the Fee Payment and Waiver Information tab on the NPS website. You may also update your sharing preference during the Annual Update through the Parent Portal in Aspen.
If you apply for and are approved for free or reduced-price eligibility through the application process, there is a section in the application where you can select to share your eligibility information with the Newton Public Schools to receive financial assistance. If you choose to share this information, Newton will be able to extend the fee payment and waiver assistance to other NPS departments - for example, transportation, athletics, activities - with your approval.