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Choice Options State by State
Also available in our searchable database of local resources.
Publicly-Sponsored Full School Choice Programs
- Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, Wisconsin
Over 20,000 children participate and each receives about $6,500 for tuition. Program gives students under specific circumstances to attend private schools at no charge.
- Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, Louisiana
Currently for low-income children in grades K-4 attending large, failing schools. Serves approximately 1,250 students with average scholarships of $3,919. Additional grade levels will be added in the future.
- Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, Ohio
Serves 6,272 students in the Cleveland Municipal School District, providing average scholarships of $2,782. Currently, 36 private schools participate in the program. Children in grades K-8 must apply, but can receive the voucher through grade 12.
- Statewide Educational Choice Scholarship Pilot Program, Ohio
Provides up to 14,000 scholarships (between $4,250 and $5,000, depending on grade levels and school tuition) for students in academically failing public schools. The scholarship is based solely on the performance of the sending public school. In 2009-2010 the program served 12,685 students, but according to School Choice Ohio, more than 100,000 across the state are eligible.
- Opportunity Scholarship Program, Washington, D.C.
Serves about 1,700 students in the nation’s capital and will continue only until those children complete their studies. Provides a scholarship of up to $7,500 as part of a five-year pilot program.
** Not accepting applications at this time. For more information and to see what you can do, please visit http://edreform.com/In_Focus/School_Choice_DC/
Full School Choice Programs for Children with Special Needs
- McKay Scholarship for Special Needs, Florida
Scholarship offers the opportunity for student with special needs to attend a private school, or transfer to a new public school. 20,530 students participate and receive average scholarships of $7,240. 897 private schools participated in 2009.
- Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship, Utah
Program financially assists students enroll in private schools. 565 Utah students receive scholarships of up to $6,442.50 (depending on special education service).
- Autism Scholarship Program, Utah
ASP allows parents a choice to send child to special education program outside of the public school system. Amount of scholarship is either $20,000 per school year or equal to the fee charged by the ASP provider.
- Special Needs Scholarship, Georgia
Provides average scholarships of $6,000 to over 1,500 students. The scholarship provides parental choice to transfer special needs child to public schools within or outside the district, as well as authorized private schools.
Tuition Tax Credit and Deduction Programs
(additional information and program details at Tax Credit FAQs)
- School Choice Tax Credit Programs, Arizona
- Personal Tax Credits for School Tuition Organizations, Arizona
Provides a credit on personal income taxes for donations to School Tuition Organizations and results in average scholarships of $1,908.94 for over 28,000 students.
- Corporate Tax Credits for School Tuition Organizations, Arizona
Allows nearly 3,000 students scholarships up to $4,5000 (grades K-8) and $5,800 (grades 9-12) through a credit on corporate income taxes.
- “Lexie’s Law” Corporate Tax Credits, Arizona
Gives vouchers to special education and foster care students in public schools, allowing them to attend the public or private school of their choice. An estimated 350 students participate and scholarships range from $4,140 for foster care students to $8,238 for special needs students.
- Step Up for Students, Florida
Provides over 27,000 students with scholarships of up to $3,950 for private schooling, as well as an additional scholarship of up to $500 in transportation funds for children living out of the district.
- Tax Credits for Student Scholarship Organizations, Georgia
Approximately 1,000 students receive scholarships of $1,000 to $2,500 through a credit on both personal and corporate income taxes.
- School Scholarship Tax Credit Program, Indiana
Provides a 50 percent state tax credit for contributions made to qualified scholarship granting organizations (SGOs), which provide scholarships to low- and middle-income children to attend the private or public school of their choice. Began January 2010.
- Tax Credits for Educational Expenses, Illinios
Provides a scholarship of up to $500 for an estimated 238,000 students in any public or private school. Meant to cover educational expenses of children.
- Tuition and Textbook Credit and School Tuition Organization Tax Credit, Iowa
For expenses, 191,600 students receive average scholarships of $79, with scholarships of up to $250 provided. For school tuition, a credit on personal income taxes allows for 8,737 students to receive an average of $856.
- Elementary and Secondary School Tuition Deduction, Louisiana
A personal tax deduction for education expenses is provided to all students in grades K-12. It is worth 50 percent of tuition or up to $5,000 per child.
- K-12 Education Credit and the K-12 Education Subtraction, Minnesota
With over 56,000 families receiving an average of $265 though a tax credit and over 210,000 families receiving a tax deduction of about $1,227, this program’s total award is approximately $273 million for students in public, private, or home schooling.
- Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, Pennsylvania
Serves over 44,000 students in grades K-12 through a credit on the state’s corporate income tax. Average scholarships are $1,022.
Privately-Sponsored Choice Scholarship Programs
Privately funded scholarship programs provide low-income children with the same educational opportunities that wealthier families enjoy by paying a portion of the tuition for a child to attend a private scholarship school. Link here for more FAQs about this school choice.
National
- Children's Scholarship Fund
8 West 38th St., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10018-6229
(212) 515-7100
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships.
- Learning Is For Everyone, Inc.
Tampa, FL
Non-profit educational resource organization supporting family choice in education. This education consumer's union provides broad-based information resources via a comprehensive website, quarterly online newsletter, networking for parents, educators and education policy makers and an annual conference.
Arizona
- Arizona Scholarship Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 2576
Mesa, AZ 85214-2576
(480) 497-4564
Mission to provide scholarships to help parents meet the educational needs of child. Provide choice in what schools their student can attend. In 2000, received over $5 million dollars in contributions, which provided 3,116 students with scholarships.
- Arizona School Choice Trust
P. O. Box 1616
Glendale, AZ 85311
(623) 414-3429
Awards low income families with tuition scholarships to enroll in private and secondary schools. 2009-2010 saw 1,225 scholarships awarded to families in need.
California
- BASIC Fund
268 Bush S., Suite 2717
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 986-5650
BASIC is a privately funded program expanding the educational opportunities of inner –city children in the Bay Area. By providing scholarships to students, private school tuition becomes more affordable for low-income families. Scholarships are awarded based of financial need. Over 1,100 scholarships up to $1,600 are expected to be available in 2010-2011.
- Inner City Education Fund
5150 W. Goldleaf Circle, Suite 401
Los Angeles, CA 90056
(323) 290-6900
ICEF is a non-profit charter school management organization that aims to prepare minority students to enroll at top colleges and universities in America. Currently, ICEF manages 15 charter schools in the Los Angeles area, serving well over 3,000 minority students.
- Pacific Legal Foundation
3900 Lennane Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 419 7111
PLF litigates in the courts, via its Program for Choice and Innovation in Education, to defend school vouchers, English-based programs for English learners, charter schools, and other education reform efforts.
- Southern California Children's Scholarship Fund
626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 515
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 689-8909
SCCSF offers tuition assistance to low income families who cannot afford private school costs. Branch of the larger Children’s Scholarship Fund. In 2010, expect to give out 1,121 scholarships to students in Los Angeles.
- The Guardsmen Scholarship Fund
340 Brannan St., Suite 305
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 856-0939
In existence since 1947, The Guardsmen Fund has helped at-risk youth by sending 2,500 students per year to outdoor educational programs, as well as providing scholarships to more than 250 students in the Bay Area.
- The Independent Scholarship Fund
The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way
Oakland, CA 94621-1428
(510) 632-1366
ISF aims to help families achieve freedom of choice in education by awarding scholarships to low and moderate income families in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. ISF scholarships award recipients either $1,500 or 75% of tuition.
Colorado
- Association of Christian Schools International
P.O. Box 65130
Colorado Springs, CO 80962-5130
(719) 528-6906
ACSI works to enable Christian schools to prepare students for life.
- Greater Educational Opportunities (GEO) Foundation Colorado
333 North Pennsylvania St. Suite 1000
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 536-1027
GEO seeks to provide greater access to quality education for all kids. The foundation currently operates four charter schools. Work to provide parents with information proving the benefit of charter schools.
- Hispanic Education, Inc.
P.O. Box 2102
Longmont, CO 80502
(303) 682-7241
- Parents Challenge
115 N. Union
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 473-5430
Dedicated to empowering parents and giving them choice in their child’s education. Provide advocacy and training to parents to assist their activism, as well as scholarships and grants for K-12 students.
Connecticut
- CEO Foundation of Connecticut
201 Ann Uccello St., 2nd Floor
Hartford, CT 6103
(888) 694-8321
CEO provides low-income students in Connecticut equal access to education by awarding scholarships to help cover tuition expenses. Today, there have been almost 400 scholarship recipients.
District of Columbia
- Capital Partners in Education
1413 K Street, NW, 2nd floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-6020
Private High School Scholarships for students in 9-12 grades in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Virginia and Maryland.
- The Washington Scholarship Fund
4201 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 406
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 222-054
WSF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that operates the Signature Scholarship Program. In its 16 years, WSF has distributed $76.3 million to almost 7,300 students. These scholarships aim to improve educational options for low income families in D.C. by providing more options for students.
- Latino Student Fund
P.O. Box 5403
Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 244-3438
The program works to help parents navigate the educational system, increase community outreach, and improve achievement of Latino students. Since 1994. Latino Student Fund has granted scholarships and mentored Latino youth in Washington, D.C.
- Black Student Fund
3636 16th Street , N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20010
(202) 387-1414
Serves African-American students in grades K-12 in the D.C. metropolitan area. The fund strives for equal access to education. BSF offers mentoring programs and much more assistance to help students’ academic performance.
Florida
- Choice/Policy Education Office, Florida Department of Education
325 W. Gaines St., Suite 522
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(800) 447-1636
Committed to providing a quality education to all Florida students, the Opportunity Scholarships Program allows students attending failing schools to choose a higher performing public school or attend a private school. The McKay Scholarships Program, the largest of its kind in the nation, allows parents of students with disabilities to choose the best learning environment for their children.
- Florida Child/ Florida School Choice Fund
P.O. Box 530568
Miami Shores, FL 33153
(800) 805-4485
FloridaChild maps out the path a student takes in the public schools, showing the limitations of the current system. They are strong advocates for school choice, suggesting many options families can take to have options.
- Florida School Choice Resource Center
1750 NE 167th St., Tech Building
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
(954) 262-8742
The Florida School Choice Resource Center was developed to help the Florida Department of Education reach the two main goals of Florida's Voluntary Public School Choice Program: To reinstate, sustain and expand the degree of high-quality public school choice programs throughout Florida; and To expand and disseminate successful implementation of public school choice programs throughout Florida.
- Floridians for School Choice
P.O. Box 530568
Miami Shores, FL 33153
(800) 805-4485
The organization’s mission is to allow parents to choose where to send their children to school. They advocate for public funds for every child to follow the child to whatever school the family chooses.
Illinois
- Children's Scholarship Fund Chicago
8 W. 38th St., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(888) 239-9350
- Link Unlimited
2221 South State St.
Chicago, IL 60616-3894
(312) 225-5465
LINK provides educational services and mentoring for at-risk African American students in Chicago. Since 2000, all of LINK’s graduating seniors enrolled in four year colleges. When one enters the LINK program as a high school freshman, they are matched with a mentor, who pays for some of the cost as well as advises the student throughout high school.
- Parents for School Choice
Chicago, IL
(888) 769-2464
This organization devotes itself to creating more independent schools with innovative curriculums and allowing parents more choice in where to send their child.
Indiana
- Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust
One North Capitol Ave., Suite 1250
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 951-8781
CHOICE assists with tuition coverage and encourages school improvement and competition. CHOICE also provides research and legislation surrounding school choice.
- Greater Educational Opportunities (GEO) Foundation Indiana
333 North Pennsylvania St., Suite 1000
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 536-1027
GEO seeks to provide greater access to quality education for all kids. The foundation currently operates four charter schools. Work to provide parents with information proving the benefit of charter schools.
Kansas
Kentucky
- School CHOICE Scholarships, Inc.
P.O. Box 221546
Louisville, KY 40252-1546
(502) 254-7274
Help families choose the school they want by offsetting the costs of tuition with scholarships. Since 1998, over 1,000 students have been helped by this program.
Maryland
- Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore
2300 North Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 243-2510
CSF has awarded over 500 students with scholarships since Spring 2009. The average scholarship is $1,798.
Maine
- Maine Children's Scholarship Fund
Maine Children's Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 913
Bangor, ME 04401-0913
(207) 945-6893
The fund works to increase parent involvement in education. By providing scholarships to low income families, they hope to gain parent activism along with school choice.
Michigan
- Education Freedom Fund
201 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 350
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2225
(616) 459-2222
The Education Freedom Fund's mission is to provide low-income Michigan families with a choice in the schools their children attend by giving tuition assistance through scholarships.
Missouri
- Children's Scholarship Fund Kansas City
8 West 38th St., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(888) 239-9350
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships.
Mississippi
- Children's Scholarship Fund Metro Jackson
2906 N. State St., Suite 200
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 982-6135
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships.
North Carolina
- Children's Scholarship Fund Charlotte
708 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 373-2378
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships.
Nebraska
- Children's Scholarship Fund Omaha
3212 N. 60th S., P.O. Box 4130
Omaha, NE 68104-0130
(402) 554-8493, ext. 219
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships.
New Jersey
- Excellent Education for Everyone
45 Academy St., Suite 501
Newark, NJ 7102
(973) 273-7217
Excellent Education for Everyone is dedicated to improving urban public schools with the competitive pressure of school choice. The organization also aims to create a constant dialogue between parents, educators, and the community.
- Jersey City Scholarship Fund
171 Clifton Ave., P.O. Box 9500
Newark, NJ 07104-0500
(973) 497-4279
This scholarship fund works to help inner-city students to attend the school of their choice. The success of students that have been awarded scholarships is remarkable, with 99 percent of the students graduating high school.
- Student/Partner Alliance of New Jersey
P.O. Box 566
Millburn, NJ 7041
(973) 379-5878
The goal of the alliance is to give new educational options for disadvantaged youth. By providing scholarships to private high schools, over 310 students received a great education along with preparing for college.
New Mexico
- Educate New Mexico, Inc.
P.O. Box 794
Albuquerque, NM 87103
(505) 797-4002
ENM is a non-profit organization promoting and financing better educational opportunities for low-income families. Grades K-6 can receive a $1,000 scholarship where as grades 7-12 receive $1,600.
New York
- Inner City Scholarship Fund
1011 First Ave., Suite 1400
New York, NY 10022-4112
(212) 753-8583
This fund teams donors with Catholic schools to educate inner city youth in New York. Ninety-nine percent of the high school seniors graduate and 96 percent of those pursue college studies.
- Student/Sponsor Partnership
286 Madison Ave., Suite 1601
New York, NY 10017
(212) 986-9575
SSP began in 1986 with 45 students. Today, 1350 students, 1600 mentors, and 26 schools around New York are involved. 95 percent of SSP students went to college, compared to 50 percent on NYC public schools. Each student gets financial support and a one-on-one sponsor for their four years of high school.
- The Bison Fund
P.O. Box 1134
Buffalo, NY 14205
(716) 854-0869
BISON helps over 1,450 children with tuition costs so they can have better educational opportunities and choice.
Ohio
- Children's Scholarship Fund of Greater Cincinnati
P.O. Box 361, 33 West Walnut
Oxford, OH 45056
(888) 332-2408
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships. At the Cincinnati branch, scholarships average $1,400 per student.
- Children's Scholarship Fund Toledo
1933 Spielbusch, P.O. Box 985
Toledo, OH 43697-0985
(419) 244-6711 x219
The Children's Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships. The Toledo branch, scholarships go up to $1,250.
- Parents Advancing Choice in Education (PACE)
40 S. Perry St., Suite 120
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 228-7223
PACE works with families to provide quality education for their children. Along with granting scholarships, PACE created the Parents Network to assist parents with their child’s educational endeavors. The program helps parents choose schools based on information they provide.
Oregon
- Cascade Policy Institute
4850 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Suite 103
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 242-0900
Cascade Policy Institute has put up a message board for residents of Oregon interested in school choice issues, including homeschooling, government and private schools. It can be found at pub34.ezboard.com/boregonschoolchoiceboard.
- Children's Scholarship Fund Portland
4850 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Suite 103
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 242-0900
This fund is a partner program of the nationally renowned Children’s Scholarship Fund, which provides partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools. More than 111,000 children have benefited from scholarships across the United States since CSF began offering assistance in 1998. Currently, more than 29,000 children nationwide are using CSF scholarships.
Pennsylvania
- CEO America, Lehigh Valley
33 South Seventh St., Suite 150
Allentown, PA 18101
(610) 776-8740
CEO America outlines 8 principles necessary for school choice and grants scholarships for students who want to attend Christian-based private schools.
- Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
P.O. Box 22463
Philadelphia, PA 19110-2463
(215) 670-8411
CSFP is a partner program of the larger Children’s Scholarship fund, which currently serves over 29,000 kids, 3,000 of which are located in Philadelphia. Ninety-six percent of students in CSFP graduate, and only 49 percent of public school students graduate.
- REACH Alliance
200 North Third St, Suite 1402, P.O. Box 1283
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1283
(717)-238-1878
Founded in 1991 to coordinate efforts to pass school choice legislation in Pennsylvania, REACH -- the Road to Educational Achievement Through Choice -- is a broad and diverse coalition that includes members of the business community, labor unions, ethnic and religious organizations, parents, and taxpayer groups.
Tennessee
- Memphis Opportunity Scholarship Trust
850 Ridge Lake Blvd., Suite 220
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 842-5327
Founded in 1998, MOST has served over 2,500 students with scholarships to provide parents with more educational options for their children.
Texas
- CEO Foundation Austin
6705 Hwy 290 West, Suite 502-212
Austin, TX 78735
(512) 472-0153
- CEO Foundation of San Antonio
8122 Datapoint Dr., Suite 316
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 614-0037
- Children's Education Fund of Dallas
Today Foundation, P.O. Box 225748
Dallas, TX 75222-5748
(214) 572-4487
CEF strongly encourages the creation of high quality charter schools to help give every child good educational opportunities. By providing scholarships for disadvantaged students, CEF allows its recipients a choice.
- Children's Scholarship Fund Fort Worth
STAR Sponsorship Program, Inc., 316 Bailey Ave., Suite 109
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 332-8550
STAR Sponsorship Program has partnered with the Children’s Scholarship Fund to help give disadvantaged children better educational opportunities. They are dedicated to establish partnerships with schools, parents, and the community to help students achieve.
Utah
- Children First Utah
455 East South Temple, Suite 101
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 363-0946
Children First Utah currently has 375 scholarship recipients and hope to have more as they battle for access to education. They devote themselves to equal education, seeing it as an avenue leading away from the culture of poverty.
- Parents for Choice in Education
352 S. Denver St., Suite 308
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 355-4723
PCE is dedicated to improving education in Utah through the introduction of meaningful parental choice in education.
Vermont
- Vermont Student Opportunity Scholarship Fund
PO Box 232, 2239 Oak Hill Road
Williston, VT 5495
(802) 879-7460
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
- Institute for the Transformation of Learning
Marquette University, 750 North 18th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 288-5775
Founded by Howard Fuller, former Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, the Institute supports programs that expand parental school choice for those who have few options. The Institute has received close to $14 million dollars in national and local grants.
- Partners Advancing Values in Education (PAVE)
135 W. Wells St., Suite 850
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 263-2970
PAVE invests in program and physical development in urban schools to promote lower income education. PAVE currently has school improvement projects as well as scholarships to children in need of help.
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