Children attending underperforming schools may be able to obtain scholarships to private and parochial schools covering up to 100 percent of tuition under the Tax Credit Scholarship.
One of the largest tax-credit scholarship programs in the country, the Invest in Kids Act, provides scholarships to children grades K-12 to attend non-public schools in Illinois. Â This scholarship is funded by donors (businesses or individuals) who, as a result of their donation, receive a 75 percent Credit on their state income tax. The Scholarships cover up to 100 percent of tuition and eligible fees.
To apply for a Tax Credit Scholarship, you must apply through a Scholarship Granting Organization. These organizations distribute scholarships. Big Shoulders Fund and Empower Illinois are two of the SGOs that work with families in Cook County, opening up the application process next week.  To apply, you will need the following:
- Proof of Illinois Residence
- Adjusted Gross Income
- Valid Email address
Each SGO has its own application dates. The Big Shoulders Fund opens its application on Jan. 14, 2020, and Empower Illinois opens its application on Jan. 15. Many private and parochial schools in the Chicagoland area are also offering application assistance and informational sessions in advance of completing these applications. Awarded Scholarships are paid directly to the school on behalf of the student on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted, and recipients must reapply each year.
For more information on the Tax Credit Scholarship visit https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/programs/InvestInKids/Pages/default.aspx
https://bigshouldersfund.org/take-action/tax-credit/
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