Financial Assistance: Access for All
Education is more than instruction—it's orientation. At Meridian Charter School, we help students develop the clarity and confidence to navigate an increasingly complex world. As a tuition-free public charter school, we're committed to ensuring financial barriers don't prevent students from accessing our programs. Our financial assistance initiatives help all families participate fully in school life.
No-Tuition Public Charter School
Our approach combines intellectual rigor with context and reflection. Students don't just absorb information—they learn to question it, connect it, and apply it to the challenges that matter to them and their communities. This excellent education is available tuition-free to all Portland families through our equitable lottery admissions process.
"Meridian's commitment to financial accessibility made it possible for our family to access an education we never thought we could afford. The financial assistance for extracurriculars meant our son could participate fully." — Current parent
| Category | What's Covered | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Field Trips | Transportation, admission, meals | Financial assistance form |
| Athletics | Uniforms, equipment, travel, fees | Athletic department application |
| Arts Programs | Supplies, instruments, exhibition costs | Arts department application |
| Technology | Device access, internet, software | Technology department form |
| School Events | Dances, activities, social events | Student services application |
Enrichment Activity Support
While core academic programs are fully funded, some enrichment activities involve costs for materials, travel, or special equipment. Our financial assistance program ensures these costs don't prevent student participation. Assistance is available for athletics including uniforms and travel, music programs including instrument rentals, visual arts materials and supplies, field trips and educational travel, school events and social activities, and technology access for home use.
Applications are simple, confidential, and processed quickly. Families indicate need and receive support without extensive documentation or invasive processes. Our goal is removing barriers, not creating new ones through burdensome paperwork.
Transportation Support
Meridian serves 400 students in grades 6-12 at our Portland campus. While we don't provide bus service, we work with families facing transportation challenges to identify solutions. This might include connecting families for carpools, providing public transit passes, or coordinating with community partners offering transportation support.
Transportation shouldn't prevent students from attending Meridian. Families facing transportation barriers should contact our office to explore options and develop solutions.
Technology Access
All students need technology access for homework, research, and digital literacy development. We provide laptops for checkout from our library, offer devices for home use to students lacking access, provide internet hotspots for families without home connectivity, and maintain computer labs available before and after school.
Our technology support ensures digital learning opportunities are available to all students regardless of home resources. We continuously work to bridge the digital divide affecting lower-income families.
Food and Nutrition
We participate in federal free and reduced-price meal programs. Eligible families receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Applications are confidential and processed through established federal procedures ensuring dignity and privacy.
Food security matters for learning. Students can't focus on academics when hungry. Our nutrition programs help ensure all students come to school ready to learn.
How to Access Support
Families can access financial assistance through simple applications available from the main office, department coordinators, school counselors, and our website. Applications require basic information about need and circumstances. Processing is quick and decisions are communicated promptly and confidentially.
Staff never discuss student financial assistance status publicly. Information remains confidential between families and relevant staff. Students receiving assistance participate identically to all others—no different uniforms, separate lines, or visible distinctions.
Community Partnership
Our financial assistance programs are supported through careful budgeting, grant funding, and donor generosity. Community partners and individual donors contribute specifically to assist families with enrichment costs, ensuring Meridian remains accessible to diverse families.
This commitment reflects our core mission of serving all students and our recognition that excellent education must be accessible regardless of family economics. Learn about our campus, explore our programs, review our strategic commitments, or begin the admissions process.
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