utah_voucher_program_overview_for

Utah's New Parental Choice Voucher Program

How to Apply for a Voucher

**IMPORTANT UPDATE:**

On November 6th, 2007, Utah voters will decide the fate of the voucher program through a ballot referendum.

If a majority vote FOR Referendum 1 on the November ballot, then the voucher program will go into effect in 2008. But if a majoirty vote AGAINST Referendum 1, then the program will never be implemented.

This also means that the voucher program will be put on hold until AFTER the November 6th elections. In other words, there will NOT be vouchers available this coming school year (2007-2008).

With your help, we will win Referendum 1 and improve Utah's education system for ALL children.

CLICK HERE to learn how you can help kids and schools win on November 6th.

Contents...

What is the voucher program?
Does my child qualify?
What size voucher will I receive?
How do I apply?
Which schools accept vouchers?
How soon can I apply?

What is the Parental Choice Voucher Program (PCVP)?

The PCVP is a state-funded voucher (or scholarship) program for k-12 students. Through the PCVP, qualifying families can receive a voucher to help pay for tuition costs at the participating private school of their choice.

Does my child qualify for a voucher?

In order for your child to qualify to receive a voucher, you must meet at least ONE of the following 4 requirements:

1	Your child was enrolled as a full-time student in a Utah public school (including charter schools) on January 1, 2007.
2	Your child was born after September 1, 2001.
3	Your child was not a Utah resident on January 1, 2007.
4	Your household income meets the low-income guidelines. To find out, click here.

Other important requirements to qualify for a voucher:

The child’s parent or guardian must reside in Utah.
The child must be at least 5 years old by September 2nd of the same year that a voucher is sought.
The child cannot receive both a voucher and a Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship.

What size voucher does my child

qualify for?

The voucher amounts range from $500 to $3,000 and are determined by your household size and household income. Voucher amounts will not exceed tuition costs and are paid directly to the eligible K-12 private school of your choice.

To determine what size voucher your child may qualify for, click here.

How do I apply for a voucher?

The Utah State Board of Education is finalizing the voucher application process. By May 15, 2007, all the information should be made available.

Go to www.SchoolChoiceUtah.org and sign up to receive an email notice as soon as the voucher applications are made available.

Parents’ voucher applications are due July 15, 2007 for the 2007-08 school year. Paper and online applications will be accepted. As part of the application process, you will most likely need to submit documentation verifying 1) Utah residency and 2) your household size and income.

Which private schools will accept a voucher?

In order to accept vouchers, private schools must apply to the Utah State Office of Education for eligibility. The deadline for private schools (not parents) to apply for eligibility is June 15, 2007. A list of eligible private schools that can accept vouchers in the 2007-08 school year will be made available on July 1, 2007.

If you already know which private school you would like to send your child to, contact that private school today and encourage them to apply.

How soon can I apply for a voucher?

THE VOUCHER PROGRAM HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD UNTIL VOTERS APPROVE IT ON THE NOV 6th BALLOT.

~~May 15, 2007~~ ~~Application information made available.~~

June 15, 2007 Deadline for private schools to apply for
eligibility.

~~July 1, 2007 List of eligible private schools for the~~

~~2007-08 school year made available.~~

~~July 15, 2007 Application deadline for parents who~~

~~want to use a voucher in the 2007-08~~

~~school year.~~

~~Aug 15, 2007~~ ~~Vouchers will be awarded for the~~

~~2007-08 school year.~~

Important Links

**Disclaimer: Although based on the text found in HB 148 (the legislation that created the Parent Choice in Education voucher program), the information in this website is an approximation of the application process and requirements that are currently being finalized by the Utah State School Board. The exact application process and requirements will not be known until the Utah State School Board makes them available on May 15, 2007 as mandated by law.