Your children may qualify for one free lunch and breakfast, reduced activity fees, free ACT testing, and other benefits. Your application is also important to the Milaca School District because it significantly helps the school qualify for education funds and discounts. To apply, complete the enclosed Application for Educational Benefits following the instructions. A new application must be submitted each year.

It is important that this document is submitted regardless of the families already receiving free meals this upcoming school year. The educational benefit forms provide funding for our school district to provide additional support for our students and families, while allowing for additional grant and educational opportunities.

Return your completed Application for Educational Benefits to:
Attn: Food Service Director
Milaca Public Schools
500 HWY 23 West
Milaca, MN 56363

Who can get educational benefits? 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. Alternatively, 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 educational benefits, please complete the Application for Educational Benefits form.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

I get WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children get educational benefits? Children in households participating in WIC or Medical Assistance do not automatically qualify for free meals.  Children may be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals depending on other household financial information. Please fill out an application. 

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).

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.

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.

Will the income information or case number I give be checked? It may be. We may also ask you to send written proof.

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

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.

Please provide the information requested about children’s racial identity and ethnicity, which helps to make sure we are fully serving our community. This information is not required for approval of school meal benefits.

If you have other questions or need help, call 320-982-7210