Navigating Private Education
Welcome! Whether you’re considering private education for your child or simply exploring your options, you’ll find helpful information, resources, and guidance here to support your decision-making journey.
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An Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Scholarships
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We hold Regional Pop-Ups across the state and PA K-12 Scholarship Virtuals regularly. Come learn about K-12 opportunities for your child, scholarships, special education, and more!
Here is what’s happening this month:
We’re here to help you understand your options, explore available resources, and make informed decisions about private education.
Explore Pennsylvania’s Education Services Directory to find schools, programs, and educational resources available in your area.
Providing families with trusted school data for every child’s learning journey.
Fiscal data, PSSA / Keystone scores, demographics, infraction data, graduation rates, and enrollment data.
Connect with experienced parent leaders across Pennsylvania for guidance, resources, and support as you explore education options for your child.
Parents – finding the right school for your child is this easy!
*if your child qualifies*
“Guy Ciarrocchi: Education Tax Credits work.”
Courtesy of Broad and Liberty
September 25, 2024
“Yes, this is a government-created program that actually works. Because it’s not bureaucratic and donors and parents hold the scholarship organizations and schools accountable.”
Economically Disadvantaged Schools Program
By BLOCS
“99% Tax Credit: With the new state budget, your contributions to the EDS program now qualify for a 99% tax credit, maximizing the return on your donation.”
“Significant Impact: Because the state identifies the participating schools based on pre-selected criteria, your organization can be assured that your donation is going directly into the hands of the students who need it most.”
“No Cap for Corporate Donors: Corporations can donate any amount to the EDS program, with no cap on the tax credit benefit.”
Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program
This program, enacted in 2001, offers tax credits for corporate contributions to certain nonprofit organizations. These nonprofit organizations then use those donations to provide low and middle income families with educational scholarships.
Funding
Corporate tax credits are provided for 75% of the contribution, but a 90% credit can be claimed if the corporation commits to two consecutive annual contributions. These credits are awarded to companies on a first-come, first-served basis until it reaches the established cap. The average per student scholarship benefit from this program is about $2,500.
Eligibility
Eligibility is determined by income. Currently, those with household incomes less than $116,055 plus $20,428 for each child are eligible. Students with special needs are also eligible if they come from a family earning 150% of the baseline income level, and those with the most severe special needs enrolled in special education-specific schools are eligible if they come from a family earning 299% of the baseline income level.
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) Program
This program, enacted in 2012, offers corporations tax credits for their donations to scholarship organizations that provide private school scholarships. Students meeting eligible zoning and income requirements are able to receive scholarships from those tax credits to help pay for educational expenses.
Funding
The scholarship organizations determine the amount of a scholarship, which has a limit of the school’s tuition and fees, or $8,500. Based on student population and students with special needs, increased amounts can be available. The average scholarship amount is about $2,500.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must live in a school zone where the standardized test scores are in the bottom 15% of public schools. Currently, those with household incomes less than $116,055 plus $20,428 for each child in the family are eligible. Students with special needs are eligible for these scholarships if their family earns 150% of the baseline income level or less, and those with the most severe special needs are eligible if their household income is 299% of the baseline income level or less.
How to Apply
OSTC scholarships are applied for through an approved Opportunity Scholarship Organization (OSO) in the area.
Click the button below to look at the list of OSOs where you can apply. ⬇️
Additional Assistance
Economically Disadvantaged Schools Program
“The Pennsylvania Legislature’s recent budget approval has significantly enhanced the Economically Disadvantaged Schools (EDS) program, raising the tax credit from 90% to 99% for all donations directed to EDS-qualifying schools. This increased incentive is a game-changer for donors who want to maximize their tax credit refunds while making a substantial difference in the lives of students from underserved communities.
“BLOCS is the sole administrator for the EDS Program in Pennsylvania, and we are here to support you through the entire donation process, making it as seamless as possible.”
Fact Sheets
