Through the “Invest in Kids Act,” Illinois children from low-income households who want to attend private schools will have access to new scholarships. The scholarships offered through this program could cover up to 100% of tuition and eligible fees. The window to apply for a tax credit scholarship for the 2018/19 school year has closed. We will provide updates on this website when the applications open for the 2019/20 school year. In the meantime, please review the information below regarding how to apply and details on eligibility requirements.
Tax credit scholarships: Students from low-income households in grades K-12 have the opportunity to receive tax credit scholarships. These scholarships are funded by donors who receive a credit on their Illinois state income tax as a result of their donation.
Application process: When the applications open, you need to apply for tax credit scholarships through a scholarship granting organization, a nonprofit organization that will distribute scholarships, instead of Village Leadership Academy directly.
What you need to apply: Families need the following the following documents in order to apply for a tax credit scholarship.
Household Income Verification, specifically:
- Form 1040 (Federal Tax Return; 2016 or 2017), pages one and two only
- If you do NOT file taxes, provide other evidence of income (e.g. W-2, recent pay stubs, Form 1099, official letter from employer, disability statement, or documentation of SNAP or WIC)
Proof of Residence (one of the following):
- Illinois Driver’s License with current address
- Illinois State ID with current address
- Utility bill with name and current address
Evidence of Child’s Age for Kindergarten and 1st Grade students only (one of the following):
- Birth certificate
- Passport
Additionally, families should know the number of the Public School District in which the household resides. Example, school district #299 for the Chicago Public School System.
How to qualify: Eligibility to receive a scholarship is based on your family’s household income.
Scholarship amount: Your family could receive a scholarship that covers up to 100 percent of tuition and eligible fees. See the charts below that show how much your family could receive to cover tuition based on your household income and family size.
Chart 1: You could receive 100 percent of tuition and eligible fees if you fit the following:
| Number of People Living in your Household | Total Household Income (Adjusted Gross Income) per Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | $16,240 – $30,044 |
| 3 | $20,420 – $37,777 |
| 4 | $24,600 – $45,510 |
| 5 | $28,780 – $53,243 |
| 6 | $32,960 – $60,976 |
| 7 | $37,140 – $68,709 |
| 8 | $41,320 – $76,442 |
Chart 2: You could receive 75 percent of tuition and eligible fees if you fit the following:
| Number of People Living in your Household | Total Household Income (Adjusted Gross Income) per Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | $30,206 – $40,600 |
| 3 | $37,981 – $51,050 |
| 4 | $45,756 – $61,500 |
| 5 | $53,531 – $71,950 |
| 6 | $61,309 – $82,400 |
| 7 | $69,080 – $92,850 |
| 8 | $76,855 – $103,300 |
Chart 3: You could receive 50 percent of tuition and eligible fees if you fit the following:
| Number of People Living in your Household | Total Household Income (Adjusted Gross Income) per Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | $40,762 – $48,720 |
| 3 | $51,254 – $61,260 |
| 4 | $61,746 – $73,800 |
| 5 | $72,238 – $86,340 |
| 6 | $82,730 – $98,880 |
| 7 | $93,221 – $111,420 |
| 8 | $103,713 – $123,960 |