Applying for a scholarship

One simple application · no fees, ever · decisions made fairly under federal rules

First: is your family eligible? Most are.

Your student is K-12 and eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school. Currently attending public, charter, private, or religious school all count.

Household income within the limit: up to 300% of your area's median income. In most communities, the large majority of families qualify.

That's the whole test. Our online checker tells you in under a minute, before you fill anything out.

1

Check eligibility online

Answer a few questions: your state, your student's grade, household size and income range. No documents needed yet.

about 1 minute
2

Complete the application

One form per family, covering all your children:

  • Student and school information
  • What you're applying for (tuition, tutoring, technology…)
  • Income verification, with one of: recent paystubs, last year's tax return, or an IRS transcript
about 15 minutes
3

We verify and decide

The Foundation confirms eligibility and awards scholarships under its published criteria. By federal law, renewing students and siblings get priority, so support can continue yearly, as funding allows.

You'll hear from us by email and text
4

Funds go straight to the school

Awards are paid directly to your school or provider, never a reimbursement chase. You see the status of every award in your family dashboard, and the amount isn't taxable income to your family.

Nothing else for you to do

WHAT SCHOLARSHIPS CAN COVER

Tuition & feesAcademic tutoringBooks & supplies Computers & internetSpecial-needs servicesTransportation Class tripsEquipment & uniformsAfter-school programs

Public, charter, private, and religious school students are all eligible. Public school students most often use scholarships for tutoring, technology, and enrichment.

How awards are decided, and why donors can't pick recipients. Federal law requires that every scholarship be awarded by the Foundation under its own eligibility criteria. Donors may express a preference for a school community, but no donation can be designated for a particular student. That rule protects every family: awards are based on eligibility and need, not on who you know.

Your documents are encrypted, used only to confirm eligibility, and never shared with your school or with donors.

Program begins January 1, 2027 in participating states. Scholarship availability depends on funds raised and federal eligibility rules; applying does not guarantee an award. Scholarship amounts used for qualified expenses are excluded from the family's gross income under 26 U.S.C. §139K. The Foundation never charges families a fee. For tax questions about your own household, please talk with your accountant or tax professional; the official sources below are the best place to start.

Sources: IRS · Federal Scholarship Tax Credit · ED/Treasury Fact Sheet · P.L. 119-21 §70411