School supplies, clothing, shoes, backpacks and activity fees can add up quickly, especially when more than one child starts school at the same time. This guide is about those costs. It is not about school meals. For meals, see our separate guide to free and reduced-price school meals. Here, the focus is on getting the items your child needs for school without paying more than you have to, and on finding local help before the first day of term.
Quick facts
- Start with the school: Ask the school or school district first about fee waivers, free supplies, clothing help and community giveaways.
- Help is often local and seasonal: Many supply drives and giveaways happen in the weeks before school starts, so ask early and note deadlines.
- Check the list first: Buy only what is on the school list, and check what you already have at home before you shop.
- Applying for help is free: You should never pay someone to unlock free supplies, a voucher or a fee waiver.
Who this guide may help
This guide may help parents, guardians, grandparents and other carers getting children ready for school, including preschool, primary and secondary school. It may also help families who have moved, families with a child starting school for the first time, and families who already receive food or other help but still struggle with the cost of supplies, clothing, shoes, sports kit or school trips.
It does not promise free supplies for everyone. Availability, rules and timing vary by school, district, charity and community programme.
Start with the school list
Before you buy anything, get the school supply list for your child’s year group. Lists are often shared by the school, the teacher or the school website. Compare the list with what you already have. Children often need only a few new items, even when a list looks long.
- Check pens, pencils, notebooks, folders and art supplies you already own.
- Check whether a backpack, lunch box or water bottle from last year is still usable.
- Ask the school which items are required and which are optional or suggested.
- Ask whether the school provides some items in class, such as textbooks or shared materials.
- If an item is expensive, ask whether a cheaper version is acceptable, or whether the school can lend it.
Ask the school about fees and waivers
Many schools charge for more than supplies. Ask about each charge separately, rather than assuming the total is fixed:
- Registration, activity or technology fees.
- Uniform, dress code or physical education kit requirements.
- Sports, music, clubs and field trips.
- Meals, transport and after-school care, which may have separate help. For meals, see the school meals guide linked above.
Ask whether the school has a fee waiver, a payment plan, a hardship fund or a way to spread costs. Ask who to contact, what form is needed, and whether you need to reapply each year. If you are not sure how to ask, try a short, direct question: “Is there a waiver or help available for this fee, and how do I apply?” Keep a note of the answer, the person’s name and the date.
Where to find free or low-cost supplies
1. School and district programmes
Some schools keep spare supplies, run a supply closet or collect donated items for families. Some districts run back-to-school events or distribute supplies through schools. Ask the school office, the school counsellor or the parent liaison, if there is one. If the school cannot help directly, ask it to point you to a local programme.
2. Community giveaways and nonprofits
Community organisations, faith groups, libraries and local charities often run school supply drives before the school year starts. Some programmes give a backpack filled with supplies, while others offer a voucher, a shopping event or a pick-up point. Details, dates and eligibility vary, so check the organiser’s own website or contact details rather than relying on a social media post alone.
The Kids In Need Foundation works on school supplies for children in need. The Salvation Army also runs local programmes in many communities, and its help can vary by location. Check the organisation’s website or your local branch for current details.
3. Help for military families
Operation Homefront provides backpacks and school supplies for military families. This help is for military families, so check its website for who can take part and how it works in your area.
4. Clothing, shoes and uniforms
For clothing, ask the school about a uniform exchange, a lost-property sale or a second-hand uniform shop. Local thrift shops, clothing closets and community swaps can also help. Before you buy new, check the dress code carefully: colours, styles and footwear rules can be strict, and buying the wrong item can waste money.
- Buy a size that allows some growth, where the school rules allow it.
- Label items clearly, so they are less likely to be lost.
- Keep receipts until you are sure an item fits and meets the dress code.
- Ask about laundry and repair help if an item is damaged during term.
5. Books, technology and internet
Ask the school whether textbooks, devices or software are provided, lent or available at the library. If a device or internet connection is needed at home, check our guides to free community services and low-cost internet help through your school or library, and ask the school what options exist for families who cannot afford a device.
What to gather or check first
- Your child’s school, year group and teacher, if known.
- The school supply list and the dress code.
- A note of fees you have been asked to pay, and the date each is due.
- Any letter from the school about waivers, free meals or other help.
- Your child’s sizes for clothing and shoes, to avoid buying the wrong size.
- Contact details for the school office and for any local programme you plan to ask.
Exact documents vary by programme. Some school supply giveaways need no proof at all, while a fee waiver may ask for proof of income or benefits. Ask what is needed before you attend or apply, so you do not make a wasted trip.
Step by step: getting ready on a tight budget
- Get the list early. Ask the school for the supply list and dress code as soon as they are available.
- Sort what you have. Gather supplies at home, check condition, and tick off what is already covered.
- Ask about waivers and school help. Contact the school about fees, supplies and clothing help before you buy.
- Check local giveaways. Ask the school, 211 and local organisations about back-to-school events and their dates.
- Shop in stages. Buy required items first. Leave optional items until you know what is really needed.
- Keep receipts and labels. Keep receipts for returns, and label items to reduce loss.
- Ask again during term. If a new fee, trip or kit is needed later, ask the school about help at that time, not only at the start of term.
Saving money without buying the wrong things
- Compare prices for the same item, including the cost of travel to a shop.
- Consider multipacks only if you will use all of them during the year.
- Check quality on items that wear out fast, such as backpacks and shoes.
- Swap with other families where the school allows it, especially for items children outgrow quickly.
- Do not buy in bulk for a child whose size, class or school may change soon.
Common mistakes and scams to avoid
- Paying for free help. Do not pay a person or website that claims a fee will unlock free supplies, a voucher or a fee waiver.
- Trusting a social media post alone. Check the organiser’s name, address and contact details before you travel or share personal information.
- Sharing sensitive details. Do not share Social Security numbers or bank details to get school supplies. Low-Cost Finder does not take applications and does not ask for those details.
- Buying before checking the list. A bargain is not a saving if the item is not on the list or does not meet the dress code.
- Missing a deadline. Many giveaways and waiver applications have a cut-off date. Note it when you first hear about the programme.
- Assuming one child means one set of rules. Lists, fees and help can differ by school, year group and programme, even for siblings.
For more warning signs, see our guide to avoiding assistance scams.
If you need help today
Dial 211 or visit 211.org for free referrals to local services. Our guide to what 211 is and how to use it explains what to expect. You can also ask your child’s school, a local library or a community organisation about supplies, clothing and fee help in your area. If you also need help with child care costs, see our guide to help paying for child care. If food costs are a concern, see our guides to finding free food near you and school and summer meals.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to buy everything on the list before the first day? Not always. Ask the school which items are needed on day one and which can wait. Teachers often allow time to gather supplies.
What if I cannot afford the uniform? Ask the school about a uniform exchange, a waiver, a payment plan or local clothing help. Do not buy a cheaper item that breaks the dress code without checking first.
Can I get help during the school year, not just in August? Sometimes. Schools and charities may still have spare supplies or help with new fees during term. Ask, even if a back-to-school event has passed.
What if my child changes school? Lists and dress codes can change. Ask the new school for its list and fee information before you buy, and check whether supplies from the old school can be reused.
Is help only for families on benefits? It depends on the programme. Some help is open to any family in the community, while fee waivers may have their own rules. Ask the school or organiser about your situation.
Important information
Low-Cost Finder is an independent information website. We are not a government agency, we do not administer or approve any benefits, and we do not charge for help. This guide is general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax, housing, immigration or medical advice. Eligibility rules, amounts, dates and availability change and often differ by school, district or programme. Confirm current details with the official source or organiser listed below before you apply or attend an event. Applying for help is free. Never pay someone to unlock help, and never share Social Security or bank details to apply through this site.
Official and nonprofit sources
- Kids In Need Foundation
- The Salvation Army USA
- Operation Homefront: Help for military families
- 211: Get connected, get help
Low-Cost Finder Editorial Team: Guides are written from official government and nonprofit sources, reviewed before publication and revisited when programs change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us through the contact page.