NOTICE:
As of Sept. 2024, recipients of the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) are not permitted to use the funding for nonpublic school tuition. However, the South Carolina Legislature is working to pass legislation to resolve this issue and allow for school choice to be reinstituted in the state.
Applications will be open Jan. 15 through March 15 for the 2025-2026 school year!
In May 2023, Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act (ESTF). This program is similar to others across the country that provides scholarships to families, allowing parents to cover the costs of the education they want for their children.
In Sept. 2024, the S.C. Supreme Court ruled the program partially unconstitutional, no longer allowing funding to go to nonpublic school tuition. However, the funds can still be used to cover educational costs, such as textbooks and supplies, tutors and many other services and tools that are approved by the state’s Department of Education. The scholarship is $6,000 per year.
Is my child eligible for the ESTF program?
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
- Your child must be a South Carolina resident
- Have attended a South Carolina public school during the previous school year, OR have not yet attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the previous school year but have attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the current school year, OR have received a scholarship the previous school year; AND
- Your household income cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (please see chart of poverty guidelines here).
- Note: Students currently enrolled in a public charter school, home school students, and students participating in the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children’s Fund program are not eligible for this scholarship program.
What if my household income does not meet the requirements for the 2024-2025 school year?
For the 2024-2025 school year, the scholarship requires that you have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. However, in coming years, the program will expand to include more South Carolina families.
| School year | Percent of poverty guidelines eligible | Number of scholarships available annually |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 300% | Up to 10,000 scholarships/year |
| 2026-2027 and subsequent years | 400% | Up to 15,000 scholarships/year |
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Applications will be open Jan. 15 through March 15 for the 2025-2026 school year!
In May 2023, Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act (ESTF). This program is similar to others across the country that provides scholarships to families, allowing parents to cover the costs of the education they want for their children.
In Sept. 2024, the S.C. Supreme Court ruled the program partially unconstitutional, no longer allowing funding to go to nonpublic school tuition. However, the funds can still be used to cover educational costs, such as textbooks and supplies, tutors and many other services and tools that are approved by the state’s Department of Education. The scholarship is $6,000 per year.
Is my child eligible for the ESTF program?
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
- Your child must be a South Carolina resident
- Have attended a South Carolina public school during the previous school year, OR have not yet attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the previous school year but have attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the current school year, OR have received a scholarship the previous school year; AND
- Your household income cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (please see chart of poverty guidelines here).
- Note: Students currently enrolled in a public charter school, home school students, and students participating in the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children’s Fund program are not eligible for this scholarship program.
What if my household income does not meet the requirements for the 2024-2025 school year?
For the 2024-2025 school year, the scholarship requires that you have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. However, in coming years, the program will expand to include more South Carolina families.
| School year | Percent of poverty guidelines eligible | Number of scholarships available annually |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 300% | Up to 10,000 scholarships/year |
| 2026-2027 and subsequent years | 400% | Up to 15,000 scholarships/year |