Tax Credit Scholarship Program

List of 3 items.

• DO I QUALIFY?

  K-12 students from low-income families are eligible to receive a Tax Credit Scholarship.  See the chart below for more details.

   

  Before April 1, priority will be given to students who meet one of the following categories:

  • Are members of a household whose previous year’s total annual income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level ($46,435 for a family of 4);
  • Reside within a focus district;
  • Received a scholarship from a scholarship granting organization during the previous school year; or
  • Are siblings of students currently receiving a scholarship.

   

  After April 1, all other qualifying students will be considered for scholarships, subject to availability of funding.

   

  2018 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Chart
  Household members	185% FPL	250% FPL	300% FPL
  1	$22,459	$30,350	$36,420
  2	$30,451	$41,150	$49,380
  3	$38,443	$51,950	$62,340
  4	$46,435	$62,750	$75,300
  5	$54,427	$73,550	$88,260
  6	$62,419	$84,350	$101,220
  7	$70,411	$95,150	$114,180
  8	$78,403	$105,950	$127,140

   

  Note:

  • If more than eight people in your household, for each additional person, add $4,320 to the baseline FPL number for a family of 8 ($42,380) and then multiply by 1.85, 2.5 and 3 to arrive at the corresponding income limits.
  • Foster children are deemed to have a household income that does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level.

• HOW DO I APPLY?

  Reservations for a 2020-2021 Empower Illinois tax credit scholarship will open on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, on the Empower Illinois Website.

   

  The reservation form will be available at 6:30 p.m., to give families time to enter their information before submission at 7:00 p.m. The reservation will have two pages. On page one, you will enter basic information, such as parent name, student name and contact information. On page two, you will review this information and click submit. Only after clicking submit on page two will you receive your first-come, first served timestamp.

   

  On January 17, you will be notified by email when part two of the application opens. You can complete this step whenever you are able to ensure accuracy, but you are encouraged to submit your application before January 27 for the best chance at receiving a scholarship.

   

• HOW DOES IT WORK?

  

  
  The Tax Credit Scholarship for K-12 students will cover up to 100% of private school tuition up to a maximum of the average Illinois cost to educate, which is roughly $13,000.

   

  Students with unique learning needs, including those who are gifted, English language learners, or those with special education qualifications, may be eligible to receive larger scholarships — up to double— roughly $26,000.

   

  Tax Credit Scholarships are need-based and do not take academic performance into consideration.

   

  The application is a two-step process. First, reserve your place in line by completing a brief online form at empowerillinois.org/. After reserving your place in line, you will be able to complete the full application. Your place in line can increase your chances of receiving a scholarship but it is not a guarantee.