Families in The Woodlands who may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals should apply now, before Conroe ISD's first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The district published its eligibility policy Thursday, July 30, according to Woodlands Online, and applications for the 2026-2027 school year are open. The fastest route: apply online at www.myschoolapps.com. Paper applications are available at the Child Nutrition office at 1900 FM 2854 in Conroe, or families can mail completed forms to 3205 W. Davis St., Conroe, TX 77304.
Only one application per household is needed, even if children attend different campuses.
Who qualifies
Three paths to eligibility exist:
Income-based: Under USDA guidelines for 2026-2027, a family of four earning $42,900 or less per year qualifies for free meals. Families of four earning up to $61,050 per year qualify for reduced-price meals. Students approved for reduced-price meals will receive free breakfast and lunch this year, according to Conroe ISD's Child Nutrition Facebook page.
Categorical: Households already receiving SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits are automatically eligible and do not need to fill out an income application. The district said it is working with local agencies to identify those families and will notify them directly.
Program participants: Foster children, students experiencing homelessness, migrant students, and children enrolled in Head Start or Even Start also qualify automatically.
What you'll need
Income-based applicants must provide names of all household members, the amount and source of income for each, the last four digits of the signing adult's Social Security number (or check "No Social Security number"), and a signature.
Applications can be submitted at any point during the school year. If a household member loses a job or household size changes, families should contact their school to check whether they've become eligible.
Who to contact
Nazia Nizam, the district's Free & Reduced Meals Specialist, handles applications and eligibility questions. She can be reached at 936-709-8197 or [email protected].
Families who disagree with an eligibility decision can appeal to Karen Patterson, Director of Child Nutrition, at [email protected].
Conroe ISD serves about 72,900 students across 67 schools in Montgomery County, including The Woodlands High School and College Park High School. The district will begin mailing eligibility letters to households on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
