.jpg "HCPH-Riverside-0708-1870×125-Spa (1)")
Thirty-three Houston ISD campuses no longer provide automatic free lunch to every student during the 2026–2027 school year. Families at the affected schools must submit an application to qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
The Houston ISD free lunch change affects more than 35,000 students. However, breakfast will remain free for every HISD student, regardless of income or campus.
Why Automatic Free Lunch Ended
The affected schools no longer participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision. The program allows qualifying campuses to serve free breakfast and lunch without collecting individual household applications.
Schools generally qualify when at least 25% of students receive automatic certification through certain assistance programs or classifications. Eligible students can include children receiving SNAP benefits and those experiencing homelessness or foster care.
The 33 campuses did not meet the federal participation requirements for the new school year. HISD described the change as a federal eligibility matter rather than a discretionary district decision.
The number of HISD campuses outside the program increased from seven during the previous school year.
Campuses Affected by the Houston ISD Free Lunch Change
The affected elementary campuses are Baker Montessori, Briarmeadow Charter, Bush, Condit, Harvard, Helms, Horn, Kolter and Mandarin Immersion Magnet.
The list also includes Oak Forest, Poe, River Oaks, Roberts, Sinclair, Travis, Twain, West University and Wharton elementary schools.
Affected middle schools are Hogg, Lanier, Pin Oak and T.H. Rogers.
High schools include Bellaire, Carnegie Vanguard, Challenge, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, Energy Institute, Heights and Houston Academy for International Studies. Kinder HSPVA, Lamar, Waltrip and Westside are also included.
Students at other HISD campuses will continue receiving breakfast and lunch without submitting a meal application.
Families Must Submit a Meal Application
Families at the 33 nonparticipating campuses must complete a Meal Benefits Application. Applications are available through the SchoolCafé website and mobile application.
Approval depends on household income and federal eligibility guidelines. A family of four may qualify for free or reduced-price meals with an annual income of $61,050 or less. Income limits increase with each additional household member.
Families receiving certain public benefits may already qualify through direct certification. However, households should confirm their status instead of assuming previous benefits will continue.
Families that do not qualify must pay for lunch. Breakfast remains available at no charge across all HISD campuses.
Assistance Is Available
HISD encourages every family at an affected school to submit an application, even when eligibility remains uncertain. Completing the form can prevent delays and help students receive meal benefits as soon as possible.
One application can include all eligible children living in the household. Families should provide accurate income, household and student information to avoid processing delays.
Printed applications and additional assistance are available through the district’s Student Eligibility and Accountability Department. Families can call 713-491-5944 or email eligibilityinfo@houstonisd.org.
Meal eligibility may also help students access other services, including reduced testing fees or additional school support programs.
What Houston Families Should Know
The change does not mean low-income students have lost access to free meals. Instead, many families must now complete an individual application before receiving lunch benefits.
Parents and guardians should apply as early as possible. Students without an approved application may face lunch charges while their eligibility remains unconfirmed.
The City of Houston’s families can also contact their child’s campus for help with the process. Early applications will help schools connect eligible students with meals throughout the academic year.