Expanding Access to a Catholic Education – Starting 2027
Empowering parents through the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
Coming in 2027, the new federal scholarship tax credit program will expand K-12 educational opportunities to benefit millions of students throughout the nation for years to come. Learn more about how it works!
Key Provisions & Impact
$1,700 Per Taxpayer
Uncapped 100 percent non-refundable federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs).
Private Donations
A tax incentive that generates private donations from any individual who owes federal income tax.
Qualified Education Expenses
Scholarships can be used for tuition, tutoring, special needs services, education technology, supplies, and more.
Millions of Students
Will directly empower parents of millions of students to choose the best school or education service.
Scholarship Eligibility
Students from households earning up to 300 percent of regional median family income may be eligible, covering a significant majority of K–12 students nationwide.
50 States
Makes school choice available to students in all 50 states with the opt-in decision from the Governor.
Expand Access
Scholarships help eligible students access educational opportunities that best meet their needs and complements existing state programs.
Catholic Communities Can Help
Scale of Impact is Unlimited
There are over 50 million Catholic adults in the United States, and Catholic schools serve millions of families and students across the country. Starting in 2027, your community can help make them affordable for MORE families through the federal scholarship tax credit program.
Example of Impact
100,000 Catholic Households x 10% of taxpayers =
$17 Million
Which could support 4,250 eligible students based on a $4,000 scholarship.
Why Faith Communities Matter
Religious schools strengthen neighborhoods, provide values-based education and serve diverse families. This program empowers your community to expand that mission.
Today, nearly 75% of private schools in the U.S. remain religiously affiliated, with Catholic schools accounting for roughly half of that group, according to the most recent federal data from the 2020–21 school year. However, Catholic school enrollment has declined over time.
1.5M+ National K-12 Enrollment
16,000+ Parishes
190+ Dioceses and Archdioceses
5,800+ Catholic Schools
Take Action
To ensure families are able to benefit from this program in 2027, Catholic communities must begin to activate and organize. Check whether your governor has opted in, and if not, urge them to seize this chance to expand educational opportunity.
Select a state to learn more about opportunities for students K-12.
30 States Have Opted-In
Intent to Opt-in
Content will be populated from map interactions
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program Implementation Timeline
Get Involved
The Catholic Community shares a lot of information across numerous publications, organizations and community groups. Help us spread the word about the federal scholarship tax credit by utilizing these prepared resources. Be sure to check back regularly for additional resource materials.
Copy and paste to share with your church to include in publications:
The new federal scholarship tax credit program presents a significant opportunity to expand educational access for families and strengthen the mission of Catholic schools. Funded entirely through private donations, the program provides scholarships that can be used for tuition, tutoring, and other essential educational supports, at no cost to the state.
With state participation, Catholic schools and the families they serve could benefit from increased resources that help make a faith-based education more accessible and sustainable. At a time when many families are seeking options that align with their values and meet their children’s individual needs, this program offers a practical, community-driven way to support student success and preserve the vital role of Catholic education.
LEARN MORE
Catholic Church Bulletin Sample
Copy and paste to share with your church to include in publications:
The new federal scholarship tax credit program offers a meaningful opportunity to expand access for Catholic schools and the families they serve could benefit from additional resources to support tuition, tutoring, and other essential educational needs.