Complete MPS Application for Education Benefits Today!

ALL families with children enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools should complete an Application for Educational Benefits each year.

This used to be called the “Free and Reduced-price Lunch” form.

Even though in the fall of of 2023 Minnesota enacted the Free School Meals for Kids where every student receives one breakfast and one complete lunch at no cost, we still need ALL families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits each year.

Did you know?

Eating school meals helps to support Minneapolis Public Schools and the greater community! The more meals that MPS serves, the better for the district. The same applies to other districts in Minnesota. We encourage all students to participate in the Free Meals Program by eating meals at school!

Applications completed by our families…

1. Generate millions of dollars in funding for MPS and our schools, students and families.

2. Determine benefits for students and families like free bus cards and discounted internet service.

3. The income thresholds are higher than for some programs, so many families are surprised to find they DO qualify for benefits.

If you wish to decline benefits, do so on the paper application, or email info.cws@mpls.k12.mn.us with your student's names.

An eligibility notice letter will arrive via mail or email within 10 business days of completing your application.

Here is the correct link: https://www.schoolcafe.com/minneapolispublicschools and a link to the information on our website: https://www.mpschools.org/departments/cws/schoolcafe

We will have paper copies available at the start of the school year. If you would rather have a paper copy, please reach out to your child's teacher, and they will send one home.

If you need support in completing the form, please reach out to our school secretary or school social worker.

We have set a goal that 100% of our families complete the Application for Educational Benefits by December 15, 2026.