Free Devices with Free/Reduced Price School Lunch

If your child participates in the Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch program, your household may qualify for free or discounted devices and internet service through government assistance programs.

What is Free/Reduced Price School Lunch?

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children in participating schools. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch is based on household income and size. If your child qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, your household automatically meets income requirements for many device assistance programs.

How Free/Reduced Lunch Qualifies You for Free Devices

Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch participation is accepted as proof of eligibility for device assistance programs, particularly the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

Households with children enrolled in Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch qualify for ACP, which offers:

  • Up to $30/month discount on internet service ($75/month on Tribal lands)
  • Up to $100 discount on devices (tablets, laptops, desktops) with a small co-pay ($10-$50)
  • Can be combined with Lifeline for additional savings

School District Programs

Many school districts provide free devices (laptops, tablets, hotspots) directly to students, especially those eligible for free/reduced lunch. These programs are often part of digital equity initiatives.

Other Programs

Some nonprofit organizations and state programs also accept Free/Reduced Lunch eligibility for low-cost or free devices.

Programs That Accept Free/Reduced Lunch

The following programs accept Free/Reduced Price School Lunch as proof of eligibility:

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How to Apply

  1. Verify Your Child's Enrollment: Confirm that your child is enrolled in Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch at their school.
  2. Gather Documents: You may need a letter from the school district confirming enrollment, or documentation showing your child's participation in the program.
  3. Choose a Program: Browse programs that accept Free/Reduced Lunch using our Program Finder.
  4. Apply: Visit the program's official website and complete the application. Select "Free/Reduced Lunch" as your qualifying program when asked.

Required Documents

When applying for device programs with Free/Reduced Lunch, you may need:

  • Letter from school district confirming enrollment in Free/Reduced Lunch program
  • School enrollment verification
  • Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, or other government-issued ID)
  • Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or other official document)

Note: Some programs also accept enrollment at Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools or school districts, where all students receive free meals regardless of individual eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need to be currently enrolled?

Yes, your child typically needs to be currently enrolled in Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch. Some programs may accept enrollment from the current or previous school year.

What if my child attends a CEP school?

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools provide free meals to all students. Enrollment at a CEP school or district qualifies your household for ACP and other programs.

Can I use this for multiple children?

Yes, if multiple children in your household are enrolled in Free/Reduced Lunch, you can use this eligibility. However, you can typically only receive one ACP benefit per household.

What if my child graduates or leaves the program?

If your child is no longer enrolled, you may need to requalify based on income or other assistance programs. Check with your program provider about recertification requirements.

Ready to Find Programs?

Use our Program Finder to discover all programs that accept Free/Reduced Lunch.

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