|
Q. What is the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust?
A. CHOICE is America's first privately funded school-choice program. It was founded in Indianapolis in 1991. The CHOICE program helps lower-income families pay the tuition for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th at the nonpublic or out of district public school of their choice.
Q. How does a child qualify for the CHOICE program?
A. There are only two criteria. The child must:
-
Live in Marion County, Indiana and be transferring from a public school or entering Kindergarten
-
Qualify under the income guidelines of the federal reduced-price lunch program.
Q. Who decides what schools the children attend?
A. Parents decide which schools their children will attend. Many people seem to believe that parents, particularly low-income parents, are not capable of making decisions about their children's education. We reject that attitude. Parents decide where their children attend school, just as they make other important decisions for their families. Most non-public or out of district public schools in Marion County qualify for CHOICE grants.
Q. What are the academic requirements of the CHOICE program?
A. CHOICE is not an academic scholarship, but a needs-based grant. Students having academic difficulties may be the ones who really need the environment of a nonpublic or out of district public school.
Q. How does a child enroll in Educational CHOICE?
A. The parents fill out a CHOICE application (available from the CHOICE office, our website, the participating church or private schools, community centers, etc.) and send it to CHOICE. Then, if money is available, the child is accepted into the program. Grants are awarded annually in July. Applicants who do not receive an award must re-apply for the next year for consideration of a grant.
Q. How large a subsidy does CHOICE provide?
A. CHOICE contributes one-half the tuition, up to $1,400, based on the number of years the child is on the program, of a student's tuition. If the tuition is $1,200, we will pay $600. If the tuition is $2,400 or above, CHOICE will pay the maximum of $1,400. The remaining portion is the family's responsibility. CHOICE is not a handout -- it is a helping hand. If the families are contributing to the cost of their children's education, they will be more involved in the educational process.
Q. Can a school offer help in addition to the CHOICE grant?
A. Yes. CHOICE's only requirement is that families pay a portion of the tuition in order to maintain a partnership with CHOICE. We recognize that some families may need additional help beyond our assistance level.
Q. How is CHOICE funded?
A. CHOICE is a 501(c)(3) under IRS regulations and has been judged to be a public charity. The program is funded through private, tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
|
