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Q. What is the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust?
A. CHOICE is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that helps families who qualify for the federal lunch program with their tuition to nonpublic or out of district public schools.
Q. Who is eligible for the Educational CHOICE program?
A. There are only three criteria. The child must:
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Be enrolling in kindergarten, or transferring from a public school through 8th grade.
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Live in Indiana.
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Qualify under the income guidelines for the federal reduced-price lunch program.
Q. What if our nonpublic school does not have the lunch program, or we choose not to participate?
A. It doesn't matter. You are still eligible for the CHOICE program. CHOICE uses the reduced-price lunch program's income guidelines because many schools are accustomed to it. You will still have to provide income documentation to CHOICE, though, for auditing purposes.
Q. How much of a grant can we obtain from CHOICE?
A. We contribute one-half the tuition, up to $1,400, depending on how many years the child is on the program. If the tuition is $1,200, CHOICE will pay $600. If it's $2,400 or more, we will pay the maximum of $1,200 - $1,400. The remaining tuition is the family's responsibility. Individual schools oftentimes have scholarship aid available in addition to the CHOICE program.
Q. Which schools can we consider?
A. Most accredited legally operating, nonpublic school or out of district public schools in Indiana are qualified.
Q. What happens if we change our minds about the school we've selected?
A. CHOICE grants are "portable." You may at any time transfer to another school. You must be current on payments at the old school and fill out a new transfer application and return it to CHOICE. We will then begin payments to the new school.
Q. What about my child's grades?
A. That is between you and the school. Students who are struggling may especially need the attention and discipline that so often comes in a nonpublic school.
Q. Can we enroll more than one child in CHOICE?
A. Yes, although CHOICE must have a final, complete application for each child. The children may attend different schools.
Q. What happens if we fall behind on our tuition payments?
A. We require that each family stay current with the school on its portion of the tuition. If you have trouble, contact your school to make arrangements, and then call CHOICE at 951-8781.
Q. What if a school changes its tuition from year to year?
A. Then we will adjust our payments. The cap will still apply.
Q. If we don't want to continue in CHOICE, what should we do?
A. Just let your school know and then call CHOICE and let us know, including the reason for your leaving. If you ever wish to re-enroll your child, you will need to qualify and -fill out a new application.
Q. What do we do to enroll our children in CHOICE for the next school year?
A. Just re-enroll your children in their school(s) and make sure you are current on your tuition, and submit the re-qualification form which CHOICE will send to you annually by the due date.
Q. Will CHOICE pay for other fees at the school, such as books, registration fees, before- and after-school care, summer school, or tutoring?
A. No. Our scholarships are strictly limited to school tuition.
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