Community Eligibility Provision Resource Center

The CEP resource center provides resources for parents, teachers, and school officials at the local, state and federal levels to better understand CEP and its benefits, along with useful tools to help facilitate successful implementation of the provision.

CEP Factsheet

Regulations

• Title 7 CFR 245.9(f), Community Eligibility
• 2023 Rulemaking: Child Nutrition Programs CEP - Increasing Options for Schools
  • Summary of Final Rule
• 2013–2016 Rulemaking: Eliminating Applications Through Community Eligibility as Required by the HHFKA of 2010

Policy Guidance

• CEP: Election Deadline and Statutory Annual Notification and Publication Requirements (SP 04-2026)
• CEP Q&As (SP 09-2024)
• CEP Planning and Implementation Guidance (SP 08-2024)
• All CEP Policy Memos

Technical Assistance Resources

• Webinar: CEP 101 - The Basics (February 2024)
• The CEP Estimator Tool: estimate the level of federal reimbursement a CEP school, group of schools, or school district would receive under CEP.
• The CEP Slider Tool: enter the Identified student percentage for your school or local educational agency to estimate free and paid claiming percentages under the CEP.
• Title 1 and E-rate
  • Title I Guidance for Schools Electing Community Eligibility
  • E-Rate Guidance for Schools Electing CEP
• Exam Fee Reductions and Waivers
  • Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
  • American College Testing (ACT)

Research and Data

• USDA CEP Characteristics Study, SY 2016-17
• CEP Evaluation
• USDA State List of Eligible Schools/LEAs