Who may receive curricular assistance and other educational benefits?
The following are ways in which children may be approved to receive curricular material and other educational benefits: children in households receiving SNAP (Food Stamps) or TANF benefits; foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court; homeless or migrant children identified by the school’s liaison; and households with a gross income that is within the limits of the Federal Income Guidelines.
My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of the new school year. Contact the school corporation for the appropriate deadline. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or if you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price of curricular materials.
Who do I include as members of my household?
You must include all people living in your household, related or not (grandparents, other relatives, or friends), who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all of your children who live with you. Do not include other people who live with you who are economically independent.
Do I need to apply for every child in my household?
It depends on which schools your children attend. There are two types of application for curricular assistance, depending on the school attended.
- CEP Schools: Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is an alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced price eligible students in high poverty districts for schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Currently, Beardsley Elementary, Roosevelt STEAM Academy and Woodland Elementary are CEP schools. Families whose children attend a CEP school must complete a form for curriculum assistance that is specific to CEP schools. If all children in the household attend the same CEP school, only one form per household needs to be submitted.
- Non-CEP Schools: Families whose children attend a non-CEP must complete a curriculum assistance form. If all children attend non-CEP schools, only one form per household needs to be submitted.
- Households that have a student in a CEP school AND a non-CEP school need to complete both applications (for CEP schools and non-CEP schools).
If my children do not qualify now, may I reapply later?
Yes, you may re-apply any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible if the household income drops below the income limit.
How do I apply?
Forms are mailed to a child's primary address each summer. All forms for assistance run through the ECS Food Services Department. Contact Food Services at 574-262-5551 for an application.
