Free and Reduced Application

Families can find out whether their child(ren) qualifies for Free and Reduced Lunches in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Log in to your child's account and look under "Meal Benefits." You can also apply for Free and Reduced benefits on the same page. 

Please note, if you completed an application before July 1, 2025, you will need to complete a new one under the new federally defined school year.

In addition to providing meal assistance and discounts for families, Free & Reduced applications enable the District to provide vital programs and services to students and the staff for these programs. 

The Northwest R-1 School District participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This allows families the opportunity to apply for Free and Reduced-priced Meal Benefits.

Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. Eligibility cannot be backdated, benefits will start the date which the application was approved. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.  The 2025-26 Income Eligibility Guidelines and how to apply are below.

Income Eligibility Guidelines

Effective July 1, 2025

Please see the Maximum Household Gross (income before taxes and deductions are taken out) Income eligibility thresholds below.

Maximum Household Income Eligibility for Reduced Price Meals

Maximum Household Income Eligibility for Free Meals

Household size

Annually

Monthly

Twice per month

Every two weeks

Weekly

Annually

Monthly

Twice per month

Every two weeks

Weekly

1

$28,953

$2,413

$1,207

$1,114

$557

$20,345

$1,696

$848

$783

$392

2

39,128

3,261

1,631

1,505

753

27,495

2,292

1,146

1,058

529

3

49,303

4,109

2,055

1,897

949

34,645

2,888

1,444

1,333

667

4

59,478

4,957

2,479

2,288

1,144

41,795

3,483

1,742

1,608

804

5

69,653

5,805

2,903

2,679

1,340

48,945

4,079

2,040

1,883

942

6

79,828

6,653

3,327

3,071

1,536

56,095

4,675

2,338

2,158

1,079

7

90,003

7,501

3,751

3,462

1,731

63,245

5,271

2,636

2,433

1,217

8

100,178

8,349

4,175

3,853

1,927

70,395

5,867

2,934

2,708

1,354

For each add'l family member, add

10,175

848

424

392

196

7,150

596

298

275

138

How to Apply:

Online:

  1. Login to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

    • This is the same login username and password used for online enrollment.

  2. Click on “More” in the left-hand menu.

  3. Click on “Meal Benefits”.  The link to the online application is found here.

    1. Please note, it is important to review the application instructions and to complete the application correctly. Any missing or incorrect information will delay the processing of your application as we will need to reach out to gather the correct information.

Paper:

  1. Click the link to open the 2025-26 Free And Reduced Price School Meals Application.

    1. If you need a translated application, please click the link to go to the USDA website which contains an application translated in several different languages.

  2. Print the application

  3. Complete the application in accordance to the instructions included with the application

    1. Please note, it is important to review the application instructions and to complete the application correctly. Any missing or incorrect information will delay the processing of your application as we will need to reach out to gather the correct information. Applications without signatures and the last four of the SSN (if applicable) are incomplete and will result in the application being sent back to you for a signature and the last four of your SSN (if applicable).

  4. Take clear pictures of the completed application and email them to the Food Service Administrative Assistant by emailing it to ccarden@northwestschools.net. You may also send it to school with your child or mail it to Northwest Food Service 4290 Gravois Rd. House Springs, MO 63051.

Applications will be available at any Northwest school building.

For questions regarding the application, please contact the Food Service Administrative Assistant at 636-677-3473 x 21126 or email ccarden@northwestschools.net.

USDA Non-discrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442

  3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442

  3. Email the USDA.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.