In August 2017, with bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed a comprehensive education funding bill that was signed into law by the governor. The law includes a provision for tax credit scholarships, which provide strong incentives for donors to support non-public school scholarships for low-income students in the state. Illinois students from low-income families may use these new scholarships to attend a non-public school of their choice.
This legislation represents a major step forward that will help create more equity in school funding throughout Illinois, and for the first time provide real school choice for students and their families.
Preparing to Apply
We highly recommend you take the time now to gather the following information, as scholarships are awarded first come, first served and are expected to go quickly once applications open.
- Student's Name
- Address
- Phone Number(s)
- Date of Birth
- Current School
- School Student Plans To Attend in 2018-2019
- Student's Neighborhood Public School Name - (Find your school with the CPS School Locator)
- The following documents must be submitted electronically in individual files:
- 2016 Form 1040 Federal Tax Return for ALL household members 18 years of age and older (first two pages only)
- Parent/Guardian's Driver's License or State ID
- Current Utility Bill
- Student's Birth Certificate, State ID or Driver's License
- Most Recent Report Card (1st Quarter)
- If applicable, the following documentation must also be submitted electronically:
- Non-Public School Acceptance Letter (if attending a new school in the 2018-2019 academic year; can be provided separately once received from the school)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, English Language Learner, Gifted and Talented or Foster Child Documentation
For more information please visit Empower Illinois.