Home - Implementation Info Center

Home - Scholarship Tax Credit

New Content

      Draft SGO Application

      Administrative Rules

          Dept. of Education

          Dept. of Revenue

      Accrediting Agencies (Final)

      Approved Tests (Final)

      How to Start an SGO

      Best Practices

Looking for:

      E-Newsletter

      Overview and FAQs

      Info for Parents

      Info for SGOs

      Info for Schools

      Info for Donors

      Copy of Statute

Information for Parents

The purpose of the Indiana School Scholarship Tax Credit (STC) program is to help low and middle income families access the private or public school of their choice.  Scholarships, funded through charitable contributions to scholarship programs, would be provided to qualifying parents.

Eligibility

Scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) will set their own eligibility requirements and application rules, but the program does include some requirements for all SGOs:

• Income.  Family income cannot exceed 200% of the free or reduced lunch levels as established by the federal government.  For a family of four, this would equal approximately $78,000 per year.  That is the statewide maximum.  However, SGOs are free to set their own levels, and may choose to serve lower income families. Parents will need to inquire with an SGO about their own rules.

• Eligible students must have been enrolled in a public school the previous year or be enrolling in kindergarten.  An exception is in the case of students already receiving scholarships from a qualified SGO, such as the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust. Note that no SGOs are currently qualified and won’t be until rules are developed by the Indiana Dept. of Education.

• Scholarships follow students if they move from one school to another. 

When will this be available?

It isn’t clear yet and won’t be until the Indiana Department of Education develops rules to implement the program.  However, scholarships funded under the STC program are not likely to be available before January 1, 2010.  Most programs are expected to target the fall of 2010.

How do you apply?

Interested parents will need to contact a qualified scholarship program and inquire about their eligibility rules and application processes.  Unfortunately, no SGOs have been certified yet to participate in the program and won’t be until the Dept. of Education adopts rules for the program later this year. Watch for updates on the status of SGO applications and timelines.

What grades will be served?

That is up to individual scholarship organizations, but the STC program allows for scholarships in grades Kindergarten through the twelve. 

How much will scholarships be for?

SGOs will set their own scholarship levels and rules.  We anticipate a variety of systems and levels will be developed, but scholarships cannot exceed the tuition and fees at the school where a student enrolls.

What schools will my child be able to attend?

Scholarships will be provided to children, not based on particular schools.  However, SGOs will likely be able to serve students residing in particular geographic areas.  Eligible students would be able to use the scholarships to attend participating private schools around the state.  SGOs would also be able to provide scholarships to children to defer the cost of transfer fees to enroll in those public schools accepting district transfers.

Have Questions?

With the passage of STC only a month old, a number of questions and issues remain to be resolved in the rulemaking and implementation processes. We would be happy to try and answer your questions and plug you into our regular email updates.  Please contact Lindsey Brown at School Choice Indiana for more information.  

Copyright © 2009 School Choice Indiana.  All Rights Reserved.  contact webmaster

School Choice Indiana     One North Capitol, Ste. 1250     Indianapolis, IN  46204     www.schoolchoiceindiana.org