When the South Carolina Education Scholarship Account (ESA) legislation was being written, there was the option of naming it an Education Savings Account (ESA). South Carolina legislators chose not to do this because of the confusion it might create with federal Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. The key difference aside from state versus federal law is whose money funds the
Education service providers are a person or organization approved by the SC Department of Education to provide educational goods and services to scholarship students. The Department will develop an application process for participation in the program which outlines the criteria and timeline for approval and will certify a list of approved education service providers
If a child receives an ESA, a wide range of educational services opens. Tuition and transportation for a South Carolina private (independent) school is just one option for ESA spending. If you think a private school may be an option for your family, the South Carolina Department of Education provides a list.This list does not necessarily
Yes. Even as the U.S. Supreme Court has overwhelmingly upheld school choice programs of all stripes, state Constitutional questions born of bigoted anti-Catholic Blaine Amendments have routinely plagued voucher programs. However, Education Savings Accounts have withstood Blaine Amendment challenges precisely because of their legal differences from vouchers. Arizona, home of the nation’s oldest ESA program, provides the framework.
To be eligible for an ESA from the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) for 2024-25, a family’s household income may not exceed 200% of federal poverty guidelines. That percentage will rise to 300% for 2025-26 and 400% for 2026-27. HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2023 The 2024 poverty guidelines from the United States Department of
The South Carolina ESA is worth $6,000 per year for tuition and books with up to $750 in additional funds for transportation. Isn’t that woefully inadequate? Isn’t private (independent) school tuition north of $20,000? What about available seats? Aren’t most private schools running at capacity? EdChoice conducted a survey of South Carolina private schools in 2018 to get at some of these questions. Here
• Tuition and fees of an education service provider • Textbooks, curriculum, or other instructional materials including, but not limited to, any supplemental materials or associated online instruction required by either a curriculum or an education service provider • Tutoring services approved by the Department of Education • Computer hardware or other technological devices that are used primarily
• Parents of eligible students apply for an account funded by a designated portion of general fund state funds. • Education service providers apply to be included in the group of providers where funds from the ESA may be used. • Following the application and approval process, parents would be granted access to a special
Scholarships will first be available for the 2024-2025 school year. The law requires that the scholarship application process open no earlier than January 15, 2024, and close no later than March 15, 2024. The SC Department of Education will create, announce, and publicize a standard application process. To be alerted when the portal opens