Unpaid Meal Policy

There will be an option available to apply for free or reduced meals online for the 2026-2027 school year using our lunch program. 

This option will be available starting July 15, 2026. 

To access the free/reduced application, go to myschoolapps and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you need assistance with filling out the application, please contact Julie Reiff at (402) 563-7000 ext 12270 or visit the Administration Building for assistance.

1. Go to MySchoolApps
2. To Find Your School District, use the zip code 68601 or search in Nebraska for Columbus Public Schools. 
3. Click on “Begin Application Process.” 
4. Read through and agree to the terms of use. 
5. Enter the information in each step and submit your form.

Be sure to have the following information ready:

• Names and incomes of every member of your household
• School, grade, birthday of every student in your household
• Your social security number and electronic signature
• A valid email address or phone number for district communication aboutthe status of the application. 

The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as a paper application. Computers and assistance are available at the CPS Administration Office, call (402) 563-7000 to set up an appointment.

If your child(ren) qualified for free or reduced-priced meals at the end of the last school year, you must submit a new application before the start of the 2026-2027 school year in order to avoid an interruption in meal benefits. 

Please note: If you received a letter from the school saying that your child(ren) were automatically approved (directly certified) for free meals for the 2026-2027 school year because someone in your household participates in SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF then you do not need to submit an application. 

Contact Dawn Welch at the Administration Office at (402) 563-7000 if you have any questions about the free or reduced meals program.

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The purpose of this policy is to establish limitations on the number of breakfasts or lunches a student may receive when the account balance is not sufficient to cover those costs, to provide for alternate meals to be served to students when account balances reach certain limits, and to protect the District from such unpaid financial obligations. 

• Families are encouraged to keep account balances positive at all times. 
• Deposits are accepted at each school building and at the Administration Building. Deposits may be made by cash, check, or online through the parent MySchoolBucks account. Fees apply for online transactions. 
• Account balances and purchase details by student may be obtained through the individual student or parent MySchoolBucks account.
• If online access to MySchoolBucks is not available, the District office may be contacted by emailing CPS.MySchoolBucks@discoverers.org
• Each day that a student eligible for reduced price or paid meals brings the actual amount of the cost of a meal, that student will be provided a breakfast and/or lunch and the amount received will be applied to the cost of that meal rather than to reduce a prior negative balance. 
• In the event that a student’s account balance reaches -$15.00, the student will be offered an alternate meal meeting reimbursable requirements of the USDA school nutrition program.
• The District will also provide the necessary forms for the student’s parent or guardian to apply for free or reduced price meals. Such benefits may be applied for at any time during the school year. 
• At the High School and Middle School, a la carte purchases will not be permitted if a student’s account balance is below $0. 
• To the extent possible, all actions pertaining to students with negative account balances will be handled as confidentially as possible. Communications regarding account balance concerns will be provided by phone and email through the MySchoolBucks account. 
• Communication in writing by assigned District personnel will only be done at the end of each semester. It is the parent’s (or guardian’s) responsibility to create a MySchoolBucks account and maintain a positive balance in their student(s) account. Students will not be used as transporters of such information. 
• This policy shall be provided in writing on an annual basis to students and parents through the District website and also in the annual back to school mailing and in school handbooks. 
• The policy shall also be provided in writing to households transferring into the District during the school year. It shall also be provided to school administrators and others charged with enforcement of this policy. 
• This policy shall be reviewed and adopted on an annual basis. Policy adopted Jan. 18, 2021. 

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Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at - U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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