Your child may qualify if your family receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits, or if your household income falls within the federal guidelines for the National School Lunch Program. Use the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines chart to check your household income.

You will need to provide one of the following:

• SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid approval letter that includes your Eligibility Determination Group number (EDG#)
• Completed Prekindergarten Income Eligibility form and a current pay stub or other proof of income

If you are providing proof of income, your documentation must show your name, date, income amount, and how often you are paid. One month of income is required. 

• If your weekly pay is consistent, one current pay stub is sufficient to calculate the monthly income
• If your pay varies, provide pay stubs for an entire month (typically the most recent 30 days).

Acceptable documentation includes:

Wages or salary

Current pay stub, current pay envelope, or employer letter stating gross pay and frequency

Self-employment

Business records, ledger books, self-issued pay stub, or last year's tax return

Cash income

Employer letter stating wages paid and frequency

Child support or alimony

Copies of payments received, bank statement, court decree, or agreement

Note: Only actual payments received should be reported, not the amount expected. Alimony or child support paid out may not be deducted from the household's reported gross income.

Retirement or pension

Award notice or official benefit statement

Social Security or SSI

Benefit letter, official statement of benefits, or bank statement showing deposit

Railroad retirement

Award letter or official benefit statement

SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid

Approval letter with EDG#, or a signed letter from the agency confirming current benefits

Unemployment, disability, or workers' compensation

Award letter, eligibility notice, check stub, or agency records

Your child may qualify if your family is experiencing housing instability.

You will be asked to 

• provide verification of income or eligibility (Educational Disadvantage)
• provide evidence of living situation, such as a hotel receipt or letter from a shelter

Your child may qualify if they are or have ever been in the conservatorship (foster care) of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) following an adversary hearing under Family Code §262.201, or if they came from another state or territory under foster care. This includes children who have been returned home or have since been adopted.

Provide one of the following:

• Verification letter from DFPS
• Form 2085 (placement paperwork)

Your child may qualify if they are the child of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces, or the child of a service member who was injured or killed while serving on active duty.

Provide one of the following:

• Department of Defense photo ID (active-duty families)
• Statement of service, death certificate, Purple Heart orders or citation, line of duty determination, or official letter from a commander (families of injured or killed service members)

Your child may qualify if their parent or legal guardian is eligible for the Star of Texas Award, which recognizes peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

Provide the following:

• Copy of the Star of Texas Award certificate

Your child may qualify if they are unable to speak and understand English, based on the Home Language Survey completed during enrollment. No additional documentation is needed — the Enrollment Center will handle this during the application process. 

Student Services staff will contact you to schedule testing.

Your child may qualify if you are employed as a classroom teacher within Garland ISD.

Provide one of the following:

• New hire letter
• Letter from Human Resources or your campus administrator confirming your staff position