FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR ONLY

The Township High School District 214 Board of Education will waive all school fees if the parents/guardians income is below the federal income guidelines as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (see Level for Free Meals). Fees will also be waived if the family experiences a very significant loss of income because of severe illness or injury in the family.

"School fees" refers to any monetary charge collected by the school or district from a student or the parents/guardians as a prerequisite for the student’s participation in any curricular or extracurricular program of the school or district during the school year. A school does not impose a "fee" when it requires that students provide their own ordinary supplies or materials (e.g., pencil, paper, notebooks) that are necessary to participate in any curricular or extracurricular program.

"School fees" include, but are not limited to: all charges for required textbooks, instructional materials, and reusable workbooks; all charges and deposits collected by a school for use of school property; charges for field trips made during school hours, or made after school hours if the field trip is a required or customary part of a class or extracurricular activity; charges or deposits for uniforms or equipment related to varsity and intramural sports or to fine arts programs; charges to participate in extracurricular activities; charges for supplies required for a particular class; graduation fees; school records fees; school health services fees; and driver education fees.

Only students who receive a District 214 "fee waiver" are eligible for waiver of mandatory camp tuition. Only the camp tuition is waived. All students must pay the registration fee and other camp fees (i.e., shirt, league, and "other").

"School fees" do not include: library fines and other charges made for the loss, misuse, or destruction of school property; charges for the purchase of class rings, yearbooks, photos, diploma covers, or similar items; charges for optional travel undertaken by a school club or group of students outside of school hours; charges for admission to school dances, athletic events, or other social events; optional community service programs for which fees are charged; and voluntary summer camps or programs.

To apply for a Waiver of School Fees for the 2023-24 School Year use the Meal Application Form

An application form to waive fees is available in the principal’s office or can be downloaded using the link provided. One application form should be submitted at the beginning of each school year to determine the eligibility for the waiver of all applicable fees for that school year. No fee shall be collected from any parents/guardians who are seeking a fee waiver in accordance with this policy until they have been notified of the district’s decision regarding the request or appeal, if one is made.

Parents/Guardians are advised that supplying false information to obtain a fee waiver is a Class 4 Felony under Illinois compiled statutes 7-20 ILCS 5/17.6.

The principal or designee will notify the parents/guardians within 30 days of receipt of the request, as to whether the request has been granted or denied. If the request is denied, or a subsequent decrease in family income occurs, you may reapply for a waiver at any time during the school year. A denial of a waiver request may be appealed to the associate superintendent for student services by submitting a completed appeal form within two weeks of the denial. A decision will be mailed to the parents/guardians within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the request. If this appeal is denied, a waiver request may be appealed to the Board of Education by submitting the completed appeal form to the superintendent within two weeks of the denial. The Board of Education will consider such appeals within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the request for appeal. Parents/Guardians have the right to meet with the Board of Education to explain their reasons for the appeal to be granted. The Board of Education will notify the parents/guardians in writing of its decision, including its reasons, if it denies the appeal request. The decision of the Board of Education is final and binding.

Questions concerning the fee waiver process should be addressed to the principal’s office.