The Application for Educational Benefits (formerly known as Free and Reduced) can be completed at Family Portal.

1. Visit LINQ Connect.

2. Click on Start Meal Application.

3. Follow the instructions to complete your online application.

An eligibility notice letter will be sent out via USPS mail or email within 10 business days. 

If you would like a paper copy of the application for educational benefits, available in English, Spanish, and Somali, or if you have questions, please call Dani Kiminski at 763-504-8050 or email danielle_kiminski@rdale.org.

Additional Educational Benefit Application Information

• We ask that families fill out a new application every year.

• The Application for Educational Benefits used to be called the “free and reduced lunch” form.

• Educational Benefit thresholds are higher than in some programs, so many families are surprised to find they do qualify. 

Students will need to enter their PIN each time they have a school breakfast or school lunch. Every student’s PIN is the same as their school identification number. Student identification numbers can be found in the parent portal. Sign in to the parent portal here and click today on the left side of the screen. Your student's name and student ID will appear. If you have more than one student, select them from the upper right corner of your screen. If you need assistance with logging in to your parent portal email: registrar@rdale.org

You can also find your student’s PIN number by setting up an account through the LINQ Connect.

Are meals free for students this school year?

Students may access one reimbursable, complete breakfast and one lunch per day for free. 

If students want extra food outside of their meal is there a charge?

Yes, students will be charged for additional food or beverages. These items are not covered by our federal funding.

Can I get reimbursed for funds in my student’s account now that meals are free?

Yes, however only one reimbursable, complete breakfast and one lunch are free each day per student. If your student purchases extra milk, entrees, meals, or purchases milk for a lunch brought from home, they will need money in their account. In addition, students must have money in their accounts to access any a la carte offerings.

To receive a meal account refund issued by check, please complete this form. If you have any questions or run into any issues please  email nutritionservices@rdale.org or call 763-504-8050.

Do I still need to complete an application for educational benefits?

We ask that families still complete an application. In addition to free melas, families can qualify for reduced activity fees, instrument rental, reduced cost for a Device Protection Plan, and more. Important state and federal funding tied to our schools also come from families completing the application.

Can I get a printed copy?

Yes, please call Dani Kiminski at 763-504-8050 or email danielle_kiminski@rdale.org.

Who can I contact with questions about the application?

Please call Dani Kiminski at 763-504-8050 or email danielle_kiminski@rdale.org.

What happens to the previous meal balance I owe now that meals are free?

Families are still responsible for any unpaid meal debt. 

Will my student still need their PIN number?

Yes, PIN numbers will still be used to track meals and link to student meal accounts. 

Will meals be free for students who attend a virtual school?

No, due to state guidelines students who attend a virtual school are not eligible for free breakfast and lunch.

 

How do I get started? 

1. Register: Create an account at https://linqconnect.com and selecting Register.
2. Verify your Account: Verify your account by clicking on the email verification link sent to your email address.
3. Sign In: Now you can sign in at https://linqconnect.com using your email and password.

I just registered and when I try to log in it says, “Invalid email or password”?
Your account will not be active until you have verified your email address and password. Check your email for the verification link.

What if I forget my Username or Password?
On the login page, click Forgot your password? Enter your email address and click Reset Password. A temporary password will be emailed to you. Upon logging in with the temporary password, you will be prompted to set your new password.

When I log in, I do not see my student’s account?
You will need to add your student to your LINQ Connect account. Click on + then Type and complete the information to link your student. You will need to complete this process for each student you wish to add.

What if I have several student's in different districts?
You can add as many children student’s as you need, as long as they attend a school district utilizing LINQ Connect for their meal payment account.

How do I add money/make a payment to my students account?
Once you have added your student to your LINQ Connect account, you can add money by clicking the Add Money to Account button on the dashboard or by clicking the Meal Accounts button on the student card. You can choose to either Add to Balance or set up a New Recurring Payment with Auto Pay.

If you select Add to Balance, the funds will be immediately available on your student’s account upon completion of the transaction.

If you select New Recurring Payment with Auto Pay, you will be setting up a future automatic payment for the specified amount, frequency, day, and starting date that you choose.

Can I set up automatic meal payments?
Yes. Click on Auto Pay. Enter the Payment Amount for each student, Frequency, Day, Starting Date, Billing Address, Payment Method, and click Save.

How can I cancel or change my automatic meal payments?
Go to the Meal Accounts page and click on the trash can icon on the Auto Pay card.

Can I transfer my funds from one student’s account to another?
If your school district has added the transfer funds feature, you can transfer funds between accounts. To determine if you have access, navigate to the Transfer Balances card on the Meal Accounts page. If you see your student’s name, you’re able to transfer funds within the district. Funds can only be transferred for students within the same school district.

Can I set spending limits on my student’s account?
You can set specific spending limits on your student’s account only if your school district has added the spending limits feature. To determine if you have access, navigate to the Spending Limits card on the Meal Accounts page and locate your child’s name. Click on the pencil icon to the right to set a spending limit.

Where do I find fees assigned to my student’s account?
Fees assigned to your student will display on their student card on the Dashboard. Optional fees, such as sports tickets, can be added to your cart from the Online Store.

Why can’t I see assigned fees in LINQ Connect?
You will only see assigned fees if your district is using the Fee Management module. Only unpaid assigned fees display on your child’s student card and dashboard.

How do I see my Transaction History?
Transaction History includes all in school meal purchases as well as any online payments, fee payments or store purchases. You can see this detailed history and obtain an email copy of transactions by clicking Transaction > History.

If I have more than one child in the district, can I deposit money one time and have the amount divided evenly among each of my student’s accounts?
Yes, if your district has “Shared Accounts” for its students and you’ve requested this for your student. To determine if your student has been set up for shared accounts, select any payment option. If siblings are sharing an account, you’ll see all your student’s names listed next to the deposit amount. You can then enter the deposit amount—funds added will be shared between accounts until the funds have been depleted.

I made an online meal payment. How long will it take before the funds will be available in my child’s account?
If you selected Add Money to Account, the funds will be available immediately in your student’s account upon completing the payment transaction.

If you selected Add Auto Pay, the funds will be available the following day from the day is scheduled to run. For example, if the payment is to be made every Monday, the funds will be available Tuesday morning.

Is there a fee or service charge for making online payments?
Yes, you can find the processing fee during checkout.

What credit cards/methods of payment can I use?
Go to the Payment Methods card on your profile and select New Payment Method to identify which methods you can use.

When entering my Payment Method, it asks for a “Description”— what do I put?
This is a free form field, and you can name it anything. For example, you can name it “Household Credit Card” or “Chase Credit Card.”

I am trying to enter my credit card information and it keeps saying “Invalid Card”—what am I doing wrong?
The system will not allow you to continue if any required items are missing. Check to see
that you have entered the following:

1. Check to see that the credit card information is correct.
2. Make sure the type of card you are entering is accepted. For example, American Express or Discover may not be accepted.

I am trying to make a payment but the “Confirm and Pay” button is gray, and I can’t continue?
The system will not allow you to continue if any required items are missing. Check to see
that you have entered the following correctly:

1. Billing address
2. Credit card information

Can I receive a notification when my student’s account balance is low?
Yes. The system is defaulted to send an email reminder when the balance falls below $5.00. You can change the Payment Reminder by editing the dollar amount on the Payment Reminder card on the Meal Accounts page.

How can I see activity on my student’s account?
Click on History to view previous transaction history.

What happens to the money in my student’s account at the end of the school year?
Your account balance moves with your student from grade to grade and school to school (within the district).

How can I remove a student from my LINQ Connect account?
Open the student card and click on the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner, where you can select Remove.

Why is there a “pending” charge on my bank statement after my card was declined?
It is common practice in the banking industry to hold the transaction fee on online payments. The fee may temporarily appear on your bank statement, but the fee will automatically be removed in approximately 1-8 banking days. If you have any questions about this fee, please contact your credit card company directly.

How can I update my email address and password?
In the upper right-hand corner, click on the Profile icon, then select your account name. To change your email address, select the Update Email button. To update your password, click on Update Password.

Can I see my student’s school menu online?
Yes, if the school is using TITAN Menu Planning. From the login screen on linqconnect.com,
enter your district’s name into Check District Menu.

The Nutrition Services Department at Robbinsdale is currently unable to provide catering services including food, beverages, or supplies. If you would like to reserve the use of the Kitchen and a Kitchen staff member for an event, please refer to the following documents and form.

Please note, per guidelines from MN Department of Health, a district Kitchen can not be used without a  staff member of the Robbinsdale Nutrition Department  who is also a certified food protection manager. 

Staff: please fill out the Staff and Kitchen Use form here: https://forms.gle/HmK6LJLGeWBqcBSt9  and refer to our guide on Kitchen Use here. 

Community members: please reach out to facilites to reserve the use of the kitchen. For information on how to rent the kitchen, please visit the facilities use and rental website here, or contact Osha Davis at osha_davis@rdale.org. Once you have confirmed the reservation of the space, please fill out our Staff and Kitchen Use Form and please refer to our guide on Kitchen Use here.

All Interested parties may need an additional licensure through Hennepin County if they are inviting the public to their event. More information can be found here, https://www.hennepin.us/envhealth, under the Mobile Food Units an Itinerants drop down menu.