School & Education

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Part of the equal education library, sponsored by Greenberg Traurig.

The Big Picture

All Illinois students have a right to attend school for free, but most public schools also ask students to pay fees for certain things. These might include fees for:

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You must apply at your child’s school for a fee waiver. Your child’s school should have simple waiver forms that you can fill out, sign, and turn in. Chicago Public Schools has its own fee waiver form. Schools are required to notify parents about fee waivers at the beginning of the school year, however parents can request and submit a fee waiver application anytime before or during the school year. The school should then tell you whether your waiver was approved or denied.

If your school does not have waiver forms, they still must give you a fee waiver if you qualify. If your school doesn’t have forms, you should ask the school official that collects school fees in writing for a waiver.

If the school denies your application for a fee waiver, they must do so in writing within 30 days of receiving the fee waiver application or request. They must also tell you how you can appeal their decision.

If you paid your school fees this year and you qualify for a fee waiver, you may be able to get a refund if your district did not notify you that a waiver was available. You should immediately contact your school’s official who collected the fee, and ask for a waiver and a refund.