TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Illinois to provide 75% state tax credit
The State of Illinois has created a new way to fund scholarships for children who choose to attend Catholic schools through the “Invest in Kids Act.” Scholarships offered through this program have the potential to cover up to 100 percent of tuition and eligible charges for next school year.
Under the Tax Credit Scholarship Program in the “Invest in Kids Act”, individuals and corporations will make donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) that will distribute scholarships to qualified students. Tax credits will be available on a first come, first serve basis through www.mytax.illinois.gov.
Want to donate or find out how?
Visit www.weteachmore.org and click on the Donor Registration Information link in the “Donor” section for instructions.
Want to apply for a scholarship?
Starting in January families can apply for a scholarship through the Empower Illinois Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Visit https://empowerillinois.org/ to apply.
How do I know if I qualify?
K-12 students from low-income families are eligible to receive a Tax Credit Scholarship. See the chart below for more details.
From January to April priority will be given to students who:
• Are members of a household whose previous year’s total annual income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level; or
• Reside within a focus district. See the list of focus districts by clicking this link: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/sos-focus-schools-fy16.pdf
After April 1, all other qualifying students will be considered for scholarships.
The State of Illinois has created a new way to fund scholarships for children who choose to attend Catholic schools through the “Invest in Kids Act.” Scholarships offered through this program have the potential to cover up to 100 percent of tuition and eligible charges for next school year.
Under the Tax Credit Scholarship Program in the “Invest in Kids Act”, individuals and corporations will make donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) that will distribute scholarships to qualified students. Tax credits will be available on a first come, first serve basis through www.mytax.illinois.gov.
Want to donate or find out how?
Visit www.weteachmore.org and click on the Donor Registration Information link in the “Donor” section for instructions.
Want to apply for a scholarship?
Starting in January families can apply for a scholarship through the Empower Illinois Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Visit https://empowerillinois.org/ to apply.
How do I know if I qualify?
K-12 students from low-income families are eligible to receive a Tax Credit Scholarship. See the chart below for more details.
From January to April priority will be given to students who:
• Are members of a household whose previous year’s total annual income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level; or
• Reside within a focus district. See the list of focus districts by clicking this link: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/sos-focus-schools-fy16.pdf
After April 1, all other qualifying students will be considered for scholarships.
2017 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Chart
|
Household Members
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |
185% FPL
$22,311 $30,044 $37.777 $45,510 $53,243 $60,976 $68,709 $76,442 $76,442 |
250% FPL
$30,150 $40,600 $51,050 $61,500 $71,950 $82,400 $92,850 $103,300 $103,300 |
300% FPL
$36,180 $48,720 $61,260 $73,800 $86,340 $98,880 $111,420 $123,960 $123,960 |
How do I apply?
Students and families can apply starting in January.
Visit https://empowerillinois.org/
Click “Apply” under the “Student” section.
The application process will take about 15-20 minutes. Use the checklist below to gather everything you will need before you begin.
Application Checklist:
Students and families can apply starting in January.
Visit https://empowerillinois.org/
Click “Apply” under the “Student” section.
The application process will take about 15-20 minutes. Use the checklist below to gather everything you will need before you begin.
Application Checklist:
- A copy of your family’s federal tax return. If you did not file a tax return, please contact Empower Illinois https://empowerillinois.org/about/contact/
- Proof of Illinois residency, such as:
- Current utility bill
- Current driver license
- Documentation of the student’s age, such as:
- A copy of the student’s birth certificate
- Federal or State ID
- A passport
- The student’s prior semester report card (unless beginning school for the first time)
- If available, a letter of acceptance or enrollment at an eligible, participating, non-public school.
- All Diocese of Joliet elementary and high schools are included as a participating, non-public school in the Empower Illinois Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO).
