Education Benefit Forms for All Families
Ann Arbor Public Schools 2025-26 School Year
Revised as of October 3, 2025
Education Benefit Form (EBF) Required for ALL Families
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This is a revised letter
Under the MICHIGAN SCHOOL MEALS program, students in the Ann Arbor Public School District will receive FREE meals (breakfast and lunch). Students will continue to maintain a benefit status of Free, Reduced, or Paid under the approved program. Benefit status' will be used for the purpose of grants and other state funding.
We ask families to still fill out the Education Benefit Form (EBF) , regardless of financial status. Filling out the EBF helps AAPS maintain our current funding levels. We appreciate your assistance in filling out the EBF.
Without this information from every family, AAPS could lose important state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to. These supplemental grants and programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:
- Instructional staff (ex. Reading Interventionists, Math, Academic and Behavior Aids)
- Counselors, Social Workers and School Nurses
- Professional Learning for staff
- Technology
See below for the link to the Education Benefits Form.
Remember: The more forms returned the better for the school district.
What do I need to do?
Please complete the EBF form and return it either through the Meal Magic site, or via a hard copy to your school. Your assistance in helping us maintain our current funding levels is greatly appreciated. No matter your financial status, we need every family to fill out the application. Please include all students on one form even if they attend different AAPS schools.
How will this information be protected?
All financial and student information is protected in the Meal Magic online submission and in locked files, as required by the state and federal government.
What else might my student or household be eligible for?
Based on the information you provide on the EBF form, your student may qualify for these programs:
- Pay to Play or Pay to Participate for athletics
- Potential household support for cable and internet
If you have any questions, please contact bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us or call 734-994-2265.
Sincerely,
Mike DeVries, Director, Chartwells Food Service
Liz Margolis, Executive Director, Student Safety & District Operations
For the online form, click on the AAPS FAMILY PORTAL below. From there, choose "Apply for Benefits", then "Education Benefits Form".
AAPS FAMILY PORTAL
You can use your phone or tablet as well as a computer to apply!
The online form is free, easy and the fastest way to apply for meal benefits!
We suggest using Google Chrome to open the online application.
To open in another browser (Safari, etc.) please make sure you are using the most up-to-date version.
Translated EBF Letter
Link to Education Benefits Form
The form below is for families that wish to print it out and return a paper copy to your child's school. If you wish to submit online, please use the link to the AAPS Family Portal above.
Translated EBF Forms
If you need a paper application mailed to you, you can request a copy from your school or contact the Food Service Office at: 734-994-2265
You can return the paper Free and Reduced meal application to your child's school or
Mail it back to:
Ann Arbor Public Schools Food Service
2555 S. State Street
Ann Arbor MI 48104
AAPS & Chartwells Meal Charging Policy
In the event a student does not have sufficient funds in hand or in their account to pay for a school meal, the student will be allowed to charge a meal to their account. This policy prohibits AAPS and food service staff from:
- identifying students who cannot pay for a school meal or owe a negative balance in any way such as wristbands, or handstamps,
- make students perform chores or work to pay for their meals,
- dispose of a meal after it has been served due to an unpaid meal balance,
- have direct communication with students about their unpaid balance unless all communication channels have been exhausted with the parent/ guardian, and
- discuss negative meal balance with the student in the presence of other students.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to pay for the charged meal as soon as possible, as all unpaid balances must be paid in full by the end of each semester (or trimester). Parents/guardians of students who charge meals will be encouraged to apply for free or reduced priced meals.
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, 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 at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, 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: Food Service Office 2555 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
2) Email: bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.