Education Benefit Forms for All Families
Free breakfast and lunch for all students will continue
for the 2024-2025 school year.
It is very important that ALL families fill out the Education Benefits Form (EBF)
All students again receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. All individual food items, such as milk, are not free to students. Students must pay for these individual items via the Meal Magic payment system. More information on Meal Magic is below.
Even though the State of Michigan is now providing free breakfast and lunch meals for all students, it is important that every AAPS family fills out the Education Benefit Form (EBF).
Please take a moment to complete the EBF form available below. You can also pick up the form at school.
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 your school’s EBF form. If you filled out this form or application since July 1, 2024, you do not need to fill out another EBF 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.
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:
- Summer Food/EBT
- 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
Links to Education Benefits Forms by school
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
601 W. Stadium Blvd.
Ann Arbor MI 48103
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 infromation 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 601 W Stadium BLVD, Ann Arbor, MI 48189
2) Email: bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.