Families are reminded that the federal government has NOT extended waivers allowing free meals for all students. Consequently, for the 2022-2023 school year, students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the daily meal price. 

• Student Breakfast - $2.00 or Free (Please delete $2.00 if your school is part of the Free Breakfast Program.)
• Student Lunch - $2.80

Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees and many others in addition to free or discounted meals. 

Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program are available online. Use the link below to apply.

FARMS Online Application Link

Did You Know??

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
• 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.

Please contact the front office if you have any questions or need assistance with applying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program.