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Help ILAO open opportunities for justice content blockAll Illinois students have a right to attend school for free, but most public schools also ask students to pay fees for certain things. These might include fees for:
If a fee is “waived,” this means that the fee is not charged. The student will not owe money but will still be allowed to go on the field trip, participate in graduation, use a locker, or take the science course.
It is against the law for a school or its employees to punish or discriminate against students for their inability to pay school fees.
School fees must be waived for all students whose parents are unable to afford them, including:
Schools can ask for information to verify income, such as payroll stubs, public benefit award statements, or letters. However, schools can only ask you for income verification once a school year.
Homeless students are eligible for fee waivers regardless of their family’s income.
Because all Chicago Public School (CPS) students receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of their income, CPS students whose family income meets the federal income guidelines for free breakfast and lunch (130% of the federal poverty level) are eligible for school fee waivers.
Your child also qualifies for a fee waiver if you:
Some charges are not considered “school fees” and are not required to be waived. These include:
The Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act requires all schools to provide meals to students who ask for one. Schools cannot consider whether the student has the ability to pay for the meal or if the student owes money for past meals. When a student owes money for 5 or more meals, the school can contact the parents or guardian of that student requesting payment. The school may also request the parent apply for free or reduced-priced meals. Schools may not take any action that publicly identifies or discourages students who cannot pay for a meal or owe money for past meals.
Schools will take applications and use family income to qualify kids for free, reduced-price, or paid meals. You can visit the Illinois State Board of Education Website to see the income guidelines.
Some schools use a program called the “Community Eligibility Provision” that helps them serve all meals free. You can contact your local school to see if they are part of that program.
Undocumented immigrant students can also participate in the free lunch program, even though they do not have a social security number. If you are the parent of an undocumented immigrant student, say that your child does not have a social security number on the application. Any information you give to the school will only be used to get funding for the free lunch and breakfast program.
