At the beginning of the semester, I received an email from the school. It stated that all meals are free, but we must submit the Application for Educational Benefits. Why do we need to submit an income application if the meals are free?

Other parents around me had similar reactions. Since the meals are free, they questioned the need to report income. I almost overlooked it at first.

First, let's clarify the basics. In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed a universal free meal law, which took effect in the fall semester of that year.

If a school participates in the federal meal program, any student can receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. This is regardless of family income, and there is no need to apply separately for meals.

However, many people misunderstand this. It's not that the meal application is no longer needed; the income application itself is still important.

The official name of this application is the Application for Educational Benefits. As the name suggests, it is a document that determines eligibility for various educational benefits beyond just meals.

While there are differences between school districts, there are quite a few benefits available if approved. Fees for participation in middle and high school sports or activities may be waived or discounted.

School fees such as band instrument rental, textbooks, or class materials will also be reduced. If you have two or three children, this amount can't be ignored each semester.

If you have high school students, you need to pay extra attention. Waivers for college application fees and testing fees for SAT, ACT, as well as discounts on AP exam fees are linked to this approval record.

There are also benefits outside of school. Some districts provide information on discounts for home internet or utilities, and even some museum discounts.

The summer meal support program, SUN Bucks, is also related. For each eligible child, $40 per month from June to August, totaling $120, will be issued on an EBT card.

Many are automatically registered through public assistance records, but there are also children whose eligibility is confirmed through the school. The state government form states that if you have an approved application, you do not need to apply separately for SUN Bucks.

You might be wondering if your household qualifies. The eligibility guidelines for the 2026-27 school year are published by the Minnesota Department of Education.

The free benefit is available for households with a monthly income of up to $2,345 for a two-person household, increasing by $615 for each additional member. For a four-person household, the limit is $3,575 per month.

The discount benefit is available for a two-person household with a monthly income of up to $3,337, increasing by $875 for each additional member. For a four-person household, the limit is $5,087 per month.

Looking at the numbers, you can see that the eligibility is broader than you might think. Even if both parents work, if one is part-time or it's the first year of self-employment, you may still qualify.

Students receiving programs like SNAP, MFIP, or FDPIR, or those in foster care or homeless situations also qualify regardless of income.

Now, let's look at why schools want this document. The Minnesota Department of Education informs that schools still need to collect applications to distinguish eligibility for each student and to accurately receive federal and state meal subsidies.

In simple terms, the portion of free meal costs covered by the federal government varies based on this classification. This is directly related to the school budget.

There are some complexities involved. There is state compensatory revenue distributed based on the number of low-income students, but starting in the 2026 fiscal year, this calculation will shift from paper applications to direct certification.

Direct certification is a method where the state automatically cross-references SNAP or Medicaid recipient lists with student lists. Children from low-income families who do not receive public assistance will inevitably be excluded from this.

As a result, reports have emerged that over 200 school districts will receive less funding. A bill has been proposed to reinstate the application process, and a task force has been formed, but no conclusion has been reached yet.

Personally, I find this disappointing. The intention behind free meals is good, but if the school budgets that need help are reduced due to administrative methods, the system becomes half-hearted.

That said, it doesn't mean the application is meaningless. The classification for federal meal subsidies and various fee waivers, as well as college application fee waivers, are still determined by this document.

Here are a few practical points to remember. Applications must be submitted anew each year, and approval from last year does not automatically extend to this year.

You can submit at any time during the school year. If you experience job loss or a decrease in income, you should submit it right away.

The Minneapolis school district has been accepting online applications through SchoolCafe since last school year. For this year's schedule, it's best to check the district's website or the school office for accuracy.

The information submitted is used solely for eligibility determination and is treated confidentially. Other parents or classmates cannot find out who applied.

If your household exceeds the income threshold, you do not need to submit an application. However, if you are unsure, it's better to submit it just in case.

My conclusion is simple. If your household is near the threshold, invest 10 minutes to submit the application, and if you have high school students, don't delay any further.

Free meals are just the starting point, and the real benefits are hidden behind that one piece of paper. If you haven't submitted it yet this year, make sure to check it out this week.