Schools send school meal applications home at the beginning of each school year. However, you may apply for school meals any time during the school year by submitting an application directly to your school or district.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides lunches to more than 3 million Texas children in school and residential child care institutions. The NSLP serves nutritious, low-cost or free lunches to students in public and non-profit private schools in Texas.

Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for reduced price meals. *For households with more than eight people, add $9,509 per additional person.

If you are earning at or below current Income Eligibility Guidelines, we encourage you to contact your school to fill out a Free and Reduced Price Application. The school or local educational agency will process your application and issue an eligibility determination.

Approximately 56% of public school students in Texas are eligible for free lunch (2023).

To be counted as eligible for free or reduced-price meals for purposes of the LCFF, pupils must meet income eligibility criteria for the NSLP through an approved NSLP application or alternative household income data collection form, be directly certified to receive free meals, or be categorically eligible.

Complete the National School Lunch Program application for free and reduced-price school meals. Find and complete your district application. Return the completed application to the school office or submit the form electronically. Wait to receive notification of eligibility in the mail or via email.