School & Education

School fee waivers

All 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:

• Textbooks,
• Laboratory equipment,
• Field trips,
• Sports and fine arts equipment,
• Extracurricular activities,
• Supplies for a particular class,
• Driver’s education, and
• Graduation.

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.

Am I eligible for a school fee waiver?

School fees must be waived for all students whose parents are unable to afford them, including:

• Students eligible for free breakfast or lunch,
• Low-income students,
• Homeless students, and
• Students whose parents are veterans or active duty A legal obligation to do something military personnel with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line.

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. 

Special considerations for Chicago Public Schools

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 A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. if you:

• Receive SNAP or TANF benefits,
• Are homeless,
• Are experiencing a significant loss of income due to extenuating circumstances,
• Are a migrant or runaway, or
• Have a child in Head Start.

Are there charges that may not be waived?

Some charges are not considered “school fees” and are not required to be waived. These include:

• Lost or damaged school books,
• Charges for the loss or destruction of school property,
• Class rings,
• Diploma covers,
• Regular school supplies, such as pens, pencils, or notebooks,
• School pictures,
• Tickets to games, dances, or other social events,
• Yearbooks,
• Charges for optional travel by school clubs or groups of students outside of school hours, and
• Optional community service programs.

Free lunch and breakfast programs for low-income students

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 Giving court documents to someone all meals free. You can contact your local school to see if they are part of that program.

Free school lunch for undocumented students

Undocumented immigrant students can also participate in the free lunch program, even though they do not have a social security number A number that the federal government gives to each U.S. citizen. It keeps track of their earnings and retirement benefits. . 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.