Information and Application for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)
HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs which provide families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for reduced-price lunch pay $0.10 and breakfast is free.
FARMS eligibility provides discounts for summer school, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs. Other discounts are listed below. FARMS eligibility also may provide your school with much needed Federal funding.
How to Apply
Please submit only one application per household. Families that need computer or language assistance to apply online, please contact your child’s school.
View the federal income eligibility guidelines.
Online – Applications Now Open!
Apply Online
(additional languages available)
After the online application has been submitted and reviewed, eligibility notifications will be sent via email/mail.
By Mail
Paper applications should be mailed to the Food and Nutrition Service Office:
HCPSS Food & Nutrition Service Office
10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Please submit only one application per household.
Parents/guardians will receive a notification of eligibility once the application has been processed. Families are responsible for any meal charges incurred prior to qualifying. Questions may be emailed to foodsvc@hcpss.org.
Families must submit a new application every school year
During the first 30 school days, students with free and reduced-price meal eligibility from the prior school year will be carried over.
Any student who has not filled out an application up to the 30th school day will have their prior year status changed to full pay status until a new application is received. Parents / guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. Also, it is very important that applications are filled out correctly.
Did you get a direct certification letter?
Based on monthly information from the Department of Social Services, some students are directly certified to receive free breakfast and lunch meals without submitting a Free and Reduced Meals application.
If families receive a direct certification letter in the mail/email, families do not have to fill out a free and reduced-price meal form for the school year.
All other students who did not receive a Direct Certification letter must fill out a new form.
Questions
If you have additional questions regarding the FARMs program, please review our FAQ Section or email foodsvc@hcpss.org.
Participation in the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program qualifies students for the following opportunities:
- Access to HCPSS Pre-K program.
- Free registration fees for SAT and SAT I subject tests
- Free registration for ACT tests
- Reduced AP exam registration fees.
- Up to four free college applications
- Reduced tuition for HCPSS Summer Programs (High School, G/T Summer Institute, CTE, Summer Institute)
- Reduced tuition for HCPSS Innovative Pathways Program which offers an evening and summer program
- Reduced tuition for HCPSS Digital Education Program which promotes anywhere, anytime learning
- Free or reduced JumpStart tuition offered through our dual enrollment partnership with Howard Community College
- Free access to participate in the Outdoor Education Program for 6th graders. Contact the sixth-grade team leader at your child’s school for more information.
- Free registration for the NCAA Clearinghouse for DI or DII athletics
- Discounted internet through Comcast Internet Essentials program
Students may be eligible for these additional opportunities:
- Reduced health insurance coverage through Maryland Children’s Health Programs
- Reduced Columbia Association (CA) membership fees and access to the CA Youth and Teen Center
- Tuition-based scholarship at Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts
- Reduced Howard County Rec and Park Program fees (applies to before- and after-care; after-school clubs; sports leagues)
- Reduced YMCA fees (applies to before- and-after- school enrichment; preschool; summer camp)
- Free Head Start classes or Pre-K through the Community Action Council (CAC) of Howard County
- Access to the Judy Center which serves families with young children (birth through 5) who live in the Cradlerock Elementary School attendance area, have children who attend Head Start or who have 4-year-old children attending HCPSS Pre-K and/or Regional Early Childhood Center program.
- Access to Child Care Subsidy program through the Maryland State Department of Education
- Access to Bridges to Housing Stability
- Access to CAC Housing Assistance and CAC Energy Assistance
- Disability resources, food supplement applications, and medical assistance applications through the Maryland Department of Human Resources
Reach out to the PPW office to inquire about the following resources:
- Help-A-Child vouchers through the Howard County Education Association
- Prepare for Success – School Supplies for Students
- Bright Minds Foundation and Lazarus Foundation gift a certain number of computers to students each year, so your child may be eligible.
Beneficios Gratis y con Descuento para Familias del HCPSS que Califiquen
El programa de FARMs (Comidas Gratis y a Precio Reducido) proporciona beneficios significativos a familias para ayudarles a ahorrar dinero. Las calificaciones son en base al tamaño de la familia y al ingreso y la inscripción es confidencial.
Gratis o [a Precio] Reducido:
- Desayuno y almuerzo
- Matrícula en Howard Community College
- Exámenes SAT, ACT y AP (de asignación avanzada)
- Campamentos, deportes y cuidado infantil
- ¡Y mucho más!
供合格 HCPSS家庭申请的免费福利和减价福利
FARMs 项目为家庭提供极大福利,帮助您节省金钱。 家庭是否合格乃视家庭人数和收入决定,而且申请绝对保密。
免费福利或减价福利:
- 早餐和午餐
- 哈维社区大学学费
- SAT、ACT和AP考试报名费
- 活动营队、运动和托儿照护
- 以及其他许多项目!
자격 요건이 되는 HCPSS 가족들이 받을 수 있는 무료 및 할인 혜택들
FARMs 프로그램은 많은 가족들이 크게 절약할 수 있는 혜택들을 드리고 있습니다. 자격 요건은 가족 구성원 숫자와 소득에 근거하며 등록 정보는 기밀에 붙여집니다.
무료 혹은 할인 혜택:
- 조식과 점심
- 하워드 커뮤니티 칼리지 수업료
- SAT, ACT 그리고 AP 시험 비용
- 캠프, 스포츠 그리고 돌보미 프로그램
- 그 외에도 다양함!
Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022)
Household Size: 1
Year: $23,828
Month: $1,986
Week: $459
Household Size: 2
Year: $32,227
Month: $2,686
Week: $620
Household Size: 3
Year: $40,626
Month: $3,386
Week: $782
Household Size: 4
Year: $49,025
Month: $4,086
Week: $943
Household Size: 5
Year: $57,424
Month: $4,786
Week: $2,393
Household Size: 6
Year: $65,823
Month: $5,486
Week: $1,266
Household Size: 7
Year: $74,222
Month: $6,186
Week: $1,428
Household Size: 8
Year: $82,621
Month: $6,886
Week: $1,589
*For each additional family member add:
Year: +8,399
Month: + $700
Week: + $162
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to apply for the FARMs Program, but am concerned that my student may get embarrassed if the teachers or other students learn that we need assistance. How can this be avoided?
We keep student/family FARMs eligibility confidential. We will not discuss student eligibility with anyone except students, parents, guardians and cafeteria managers. All HCPSS schools currently use a Point of Sale (POS) system in cafeterias. All students must enter a six digit (6) PIN number in the POS system to pay for meals. By using this system, students do not know if a classmate’s lunch was pre-paid, free or reduced price.
May I submit just one FARMs application for all of my children?
Yes. This is a family/household application and all children must be listed on one application whether you complete a paper application or submit an online application.
My student was eligible for free meals last year. Do I need to apply this year?
Yes. Families must apply every year to determine their eligibility in the FARMs program. Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines change every year, and it is likely that most household situations change each year. To avoid interruption in meal benefits while new applications are processed, student eligibility is carried over temporarily from the previous school year until the new application can be processed in September of the new school year. Once the new application is processed, the eligibility that is determined will be in effect. Carryover applications not renewed will be terminated at the end of September and all benefits will cease.
When can I apply?
Students or families may apply any time during the school year.
My child brought home a FARMs Program Application and said I must complete and return it to school. Are all families/households required to fill out the application?
No. All families/households are not required to fill out the application. Only families/households who need assistance and fall within the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines should apply. Applications are automatically sent home with every student on the first day of school. Guidelines are printed on the front of the application to help parents/guardians determine if they might qualify for the program.
Why was my student’s application determined to not be eligible for the FARMs program?
Applications are evaluated solely on the number of household members and gross income – no other circumstances can be considered. If you believe your gross income (amount before deductions) is at or less than the maximum income limits for your household size that is listed in the Income Eligibility Guidelines, you should contact the Food and Nutrition Service Office to be certain that you have completed your application correctly.
My family situation has changed. Can I reapply to the FARMs program?
Yes. Families whose household situations change may reapply at any time during the school year.