Meal Eligibility
Online Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application
District Instructions
Opt into the online free and reduced-price application in the DCA. Once you opt in, copy a URL to publicize to your families. You can process applications that are submitted. The eligibility math is done for you in the system.
There is a determining Official User Manual on the DCA login page to give you information about how the system operates and how to setup your district. Call Bitsey Draur, IT Project Manager, with questions at (406) 461-5423.
Family Instructions
If your district has opted in to using the on-line free and reduced-priced meal application, you can click on the button, select your district from the dropdown list, fill out, and submit the application. Your district may also provide you with a link; you can use that instead of this if you prefer. View the User Guide.
button and link
Additional Information
Public Release
The OPI has completed the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) Public Release on behalf of schools for SY2025-2026
Free and Reduced Application
- Printable Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application
- Printable Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application Instructions
- Free and Reduced-Price Meal FAQ Letter to Households
- Income Eligibility Guidelines
- Eligibility Manual
- Self-Employed and Seasonal Income Guidance
- Spanish Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
- Spanish Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Instructions
- Free and Reduced Price Policy Statement
Notices
- Notice of 30-Day Carryover Period Ending Soon
- Notice of Approval/Denial of Benefits
- Notice of Direct Certification
- Transfer Student Eligibility Documentation
Verification
- Verification Application Tracker
- Verification Error-Prone Sponsors 2025-26
- Verification Instructions
- Verification Instructions - CEP District wide
- Verification Instructions - Residential Only RCCI
- Verification: We Must Check Your Application
- Verification: We Have Checked Your Application
- Verification Deadline Extension Request Form
Information Disclosure
Pricing
- Reimbursement Rates
- Adult Meal Prices Memo
- Adult Meal Pricing Tool
- 2017 Edition - Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge: Proven Strategies from our Nation's Schools
- Montana School Boards Association Model Meal Charge Policy
- Unpaid Meals Best Practices Video
- Unpaid Meal Charges - Policy Guidance & Resources
Non Program Revenue
Paid Lunch Equity
- Negative/Excess Balances as of June 30, 2025
- Negative/Excess Balances as of June 30, 2024
- Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for SY 2026-2027
- Paid Lunch Equity Tool (SY 2026-27)
- Paid Lunch Prices SY 2024-2025
Policy
- CEP ISP Correction and Reporting Form
- Locating the Annual CEP-ISP Data Snapshot in MAPS
- MAPS CEP Application Packet Instructions
- Prep Data for CEP Snapshot April 1st
- Review Annual CEP ISP Snapshot Data & Upcoming SY Participation -- THIS LINK MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
- ISP Data for Potential CEP Eligibility
- CEP Reimbursement Calculator
- CEP Fact Sheet
- CEP DCA Task Sheet
- USDA Resources
- CEP Letter to Households
For questions, contact OPI School Nutrition Programs at (406) 444-2501.