Benefits for Qualifying for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Did you know that qualifying for free and reduced-price meals opens the door to a variety of postsecondary benefits, in addition to nutritional support?
Click here to learn more about free and reduced price meals.
For instance, students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals are also eligible for:
- Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) funding program: Students receive free dual credit tuition from our higher education partners, and Joshua ISD covers the cost of their course materials. Students qualify for FAST funding if they've qualified for free and reduced-priced meals within the last four years. This means that some students qualify based on their middle school status, even if they do not qualify for free and reduced-priced meals in high school.
- AP Exam Fee Reduction: Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals have reduced AP exam fees.
- SAT & ACT Waivers: Students eligible for free and reduced-price meals can take the SAT or ACT at no cost. They can contact their counselor to obtain waivers when ready to register for the tests.
- College Application Fee Waivers: Many higher education institutions waive application fees for admission for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
- Quicker FAFSA Completion: Students who qualify for free and reduced-priced meals answer fewer questions on the FAFSA application, speeding up the process for students to apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships.
- College Scholarships: Numerous higher education institutions offer full-tuition scholarships to students who qualify for free and reduced-priced meals.
