Indiana Choice Scholarship

Indiana Choice Scholarship eligibility criteria has recently expanded. In doing so, the number of families who may be eligible for vouchers has increased. Starting with the 2021-2022 school year, students whose household income is within 300% of Federal Free or Reduced-Price Meals guidelines and meet eligibility criteria may now qualify to receive an Indiana Choice Scholarship voucher to help cover the cost of a private school tuition. The other major change is in the value of the voucher. Under current law, families that had incomes on the higher end of the eligibility spectrum could get a voucher for 50% of the amount of money per child that their neighborhood public school gets from the state, while families on the lower end got 90%. Under the new law, all families that are eligible will get a voucher for 90%.

St. Charles School is a participating school in the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program (commonly referred to as the "voucher" program.) 

Students must meet three criteria:
  1. The student must reside in Indiana.
  2. The household’s annual income must be less than 300% of the Federal Reduced Lunch guidelines. Eligibility for the Choice Scholarship Program is based on family income (Adjusted Gross Income) as reported on the 1040 of the most recent year’s taxes.​ 
  3. Must be between the ages of 5 and 22 no later than August 1st of the school year.         
After satisfying the age, residency, and household income requirements listed above, there are eight different tracks that enable a student to be eligible to participate in the Choice Scholarship Program. The eight tracks are outlined below. A student must satisfy the requirements of only one of the eight tracks to be eligible. A complete explanation of each of the eight eligibility tracks can be found in the documents explaining each track posted at the IDOE website in the Student Eligibility section.
  • Two Semesters in Public School Pathway--The student was enrolled in a public school (including charter schools) in Indiana for at least two semesters immediately prior to enrollment at the private school. Additionally, the student is a member of a household with an income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the federal reduced lunch program.
  • Sibling Pathway--A sibling of the student has received either a Choice Scholarship ("voucher") or an SGO Scholarship in a preceding school year, and the student is a member of a household with an annual income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the federal reduced lunch program.
  • "F" Public School Pathway--The student would be required to attend a specific public school, based on the student's residence that has been assigned an "F" grade. This pathway does not require prior attendance at the "F" school. Additionally, the student is a member of a household with an annual income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the federal reduced lunch program.
  • Special Education Pathway--The student has a disability that requires special education. An individualized education plan (IEP) or a service plan has been developed for the student. Additionally, the student is a member of a household with an annual income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the federal reduced lunch program.
  • Previous Choice Scholarship Student Pathway--The student either received a Choice Scholarship ("voucher") in a school year that does not immediately precede the school year for which the student is applying for a Choice Scholarship, OR, the student received a Choice Scholarship in the year immediately prior to the current school year.  Additionally, the student is a member of a household with an annual income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the federal reduced lunch program.
  • Previous SGO Award Pathway--The student received an SGO Scholarship in any preceding school year from one of the five approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). St. Charles uses the Institute for Quality Education to manage our SGO. Additionally, the student is a member of a household with an annual income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the federal reduced lunch program.  For more information, contact Siobhan Dennis at [email protected]. 
  • Pre-K Track--The student received and used an Early Education Grant under IC 12-17.2-7.2 to attend Pre-K at an eligible Choice school; The student is applying for a Choice Scholarship at the same Choice school in which they attended Pre-K with an Early Education Grant; and The student is a member of a household with an annual income equal to or below 300% of the amount to qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Please Note: St. Charles students would not be eligible for this pathway since our Preschool does not accept Early Education Grants. 
  • Foster Pathway--A student must be placed in foster care, as defined in IC 31-9-2-47.7. The child’s placement must be supported by a letter from a Department of Child Services (DCS) caseworker that is signed and dated during the 2021 calendar year. Foster children are automatically income-eligible for the Choice Scholarship Program and do not require household size and income.  Supporting documentation of foster care must be provided at the time of application. ​         
How do I apply for a Choice Scholarship?
Contact Siobhan Dennis at [email protected] who will assist families in determining eligibility, required documents for verification, and completion of application paperwork for enrollment and voucher.
Choice Scholarship Application Deadlines
The 2022-2023 Choice Scholarship student application will be available from March 1, 2022 through September 1, 2022 for the first application period and November 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023 for the second application period.