Free & Reduced Meals
Free and reduced-price meal applications are available to all students throughout the year. Families can apply at any time using the online application link below starting August 4th, 2025. You may request a paper application at the food service office. However, submitting the online form is the fastest way to get your application processed and helps us cut down on paper waste.
Free and Reduced Meals FAQ's
Children need healthy meals to learn. This school year, McKinney ISD will continue its partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture in providing healthy meals to the students at all grade levels and in all schools. Please note that if you received a notification letter that a child is “directly certified” for free or reduced-price meals, do not complete an application. Let us know if any children in the household attending school are not listed in the letter by calling 469-302-6378.
Is there an online free and reduced application? Yes, in addition to usually faster processing, the online application allows you to fill out the form anywhere you have internet access, and is even mobile-friendly. Access the application
Are there alternatives to the online application? Yes, paper applications are available at the MISD food service office at 510 W Heard Street, McKinney, TX 75069. To prevent delays, the paper application should be turned back in at the food service office as well.
How will I know if my free and reduced price meal application was approved? Parents will receive a letter by email notifying them of the application outcome. Please be sure to check your junk mail folder in case it is caught accidentally and flagged as junk. If an email was not provided, a letter will be mailed to the address given on the application.
How long does it take for applications to be processed? McKinney ISD has up to 10 working days from the day your application is received, but delays could result from applications filled out improperly. The best way to ensure the quickest possible processing is to fill out the online application. Parents can call 469-302-6378 if you have any questions.
What income is counted in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals? In accordance with the Department of Agriculture’s policy as provided in the Food and Nutrition Service publication Eligibility Guidance for School Meals Manual, “income,” as the term is used in this Notice, means income before any taxes, Social Security taxes, insurance premiums, charitable contributions and bonds. It includes the following:
Monetary compensation for services, including wages, salary, commissions or fees
Net income from non-farm self-employment
Net income from farm self–employment
Social security Dividends or interest on savings or bonds or income from estates or trusts
Net rental income
Public assistance or welfare payments
Unemployment compensation
Government or civilian employee or military retirement, or pensions or veterans payments
Private pensions or annuities
Alimony or child support payments
Regular contributions from persons not living in the household
Net royalties
Other cash income; includes cash amounts received or withdrawn from any source including savings, investments, trust accounts and other resources that would be available to pay the price of a child’s meal.
What items are included in a Free & Reduced Meal plan? Students who are in the Free & Reduced Meal program are permitted to choose all the food options that come with a combo meal. This includes a hot or cold entrée with any fruits, vegetables, and/or a 4 oz. fruit juice available that day. Milk is optional. A la carte items are available to be purchased separately and are not included with the student’s meal benefits. Click our Snack List options listed in your school’s folder.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my free and reduced meal price application? Please call us at 469-302-6378. We can answer any questions you may have about filling out the application form or any other questions throughout the process.
USDA Non-discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
USDA Non-discrimination Statement (Spanish)
De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles. La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339. Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027s.pdf, de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por: (1) correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Texas Department of Agriculture | Food and Nutrition Division Section 3, Civil Rights & Confidentiality | February 14, 2025 | Page 9 of 19 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; o (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o (3) correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov.
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Need Help?
If you need additional assistance with the content on this page, please contact McKinney ISD team member Armida Gonzalez by phone at 469-302-6378 or by email.