Fulton family of four earning up to $61,050 now qualifies for free school meals
A family of four in Fulton County Schools earning up to $61,050 a year now qualifies for free breakfast and lunch at school, thanks to a combination of higher federal income limits and a Georgia state subsidy that eliminates the reduced-price charge at the register.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised income thresholds 2.6% for the 2026-27 school year. For a household of four, the free-meal cutoff is $42,900 and the reduced-price ceiling is $61,050. But in Fulton County, the reduced-price category carries no out-of-pocket cost: Georgia funding covers the usual 30-cent breakfast and 40-cent lunch charge, and Fulton County Schools' meal-price page lists both at $0.00 for qualifying students.
That means a family earning $60,000 pays nothing, even though it falls above the federal free-meal line.
The deadline families need to know
Last year's meal-benefit status does not carry over indefinitely. Returning students keep their prior approval only until Sept. 14 or until a new application is processed, whichever comes first, according to district nutrition information. After that date, students without current approval pay full price.
Fulton says applications can take up to 10 days to process, though online submissions may move faster. With the school year underway since Aug. 3, families must act before the Sept. 14 cutoff to avoid a gap in coverage.
Applications are not retroactive. Families are responsible for any meal charges incurred before approval.
What full price looks like
At Alpharetta High, Milton High and Cambridge High, breakfast and lunch together run $5.20 per day. Over a 180-day school year, that totals $936 per student. A household with two children in middle or high school could keep more than $1,700 in its budget by qualifying, as reported by the North Atlanta Star.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is based on gross household income before taxes. The full 2026-27 thresholds:
- Household of 1: free at $20,748 / reduced-price at $29,526
- Household of 2: free at $28,132 / reduced-price at $40,034
- Household of 3: free at $35,516 / reduced-price at $50,542
- Household of 4: free at $42,900 / reduced-price at $61,050
- Household of 5: free at $50,284 / reduced-price at $71,558
- Household of 6: free at $57,668 / reduced-price at $82,066
- Each additional person: add $7,384 (free) / $10,508 (reduced-price)
A parent who lost a job or had hours cut may report current income rather than earlier, higher earnings. Children in households receiving Georgia SNAP or TANF benefits generally qualify automatically, as do foster children and students classified as homeless or migrant. Citizenship is not a requirement for any household member.
How to apply
Families can submit applications online through MySchoolApps or at the district's free and reduced-price meal page. One application covers all children in a household. Families who received a direct-certification notice from the district do not need to reapply unless a child was left off.
Applications stay open all year. A family that doesn't qualify now can reapply if circumstances change.
Questions go to [email protected] or 470-254-8960.
