Parents in a growing number of cities and states have access to privately financed programs that support school choice by offering students partial scholarships.

Background on Privately Financed Scholarships

A wide range of local and national organizations provide preschool – 12th grade students with scholarships to attend private schools.

As you can imagine, the demand for scholarships far outpace the available supply. More than 1.25 million parents submitted applications for the 20,000 scholarships awarded by the Children’s Scholarship Fund (CFS) in 1999. Demand for CSF scholaships has grown each year.

Privately Financed Scholarships in Action

Most private scholarship programs serve students from low-income families, but eligibility criteria vary widely. Some programs require that families qualify for the federal free-or reduced-lunch program and live in the district or community that the program serves. Others, particularly those admitting students to selective day and boarding schools, provide scholarships to children whose familes are classified as low- to middle-income. Scholarship amounts can range from $1,000 to $2,500, and parents often are required to supplement scholarships with personal funds or volunteer at a private school. In addition, many private schools independently offer financial aid and tuition/fee grants.

Parents who are interested in a particular private school should contact the school directly to learn more about the school’s curriculum, student/family services, overall academic program and financial aid opportunities. Application deadlines for private schools vary, but admission periods generally take place between late October and the end of February for the next academic year.

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