All families are urged to check their eligibility and complete the FARMS application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.
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.
Free and Reduced Meals eligibility provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs. Other discounts are listed at this link.
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 for the 2023-2024 School Year are available on the new LINQ Connect website.
APPLY ONLINE(ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES AVAILABLE)
After the online application has been submitted and reviewed, eligibility notifications will be sent via email/mail.
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.
SFES is a Title I School
SFES is fortunate to receive Title I funding. Title I is a federally funded program designed to close the achievement gap and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high-quality education. Title I federal funding supports and enhances the school program and provides additional academic support such as staffing. Completing the FARMS application directly impacts our status as a Title I school; therefore, please complete the FARMS application.
Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) eligibility also discounts summer programs, SAT, recreation programs such as the Columbia Association, Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), internet programs, and more. For additional information, visit theHCPSS Title I Program web page.