A student's eligibility can be primarily determined using the levels for reduced lunch listed in the USDA income eligibility chart.
To determine income levels for families with more than six dependents, take the difference in increase in the annual income allowance from five to six dependents and apply that increment to each additional dependent.
The student is enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
The student's family receives public assistance.
The student lives in a federally subsidized public housing project or foster home, or is homeless.