But Schools Will Need Different Strategies to Maximize It

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the new federal scholarship tax credit program is that it only impacts private schools.

It does not.

The federal scholarship tax credit program has the potential to support both private and public school students through eligible educational expenses such as:

Tutoring
After-school programs
Educational therapies
Special education support
Curriculum assistance
Academic intervention programs
Supplemental educational services
Tuition assistance where applicable

This creates a unique opportunity for schools and communities across the country to rethink how educational support is funded and delivered.

Two young women smile while a man shakes hands with one of them in a hallway.

Why Some Private Schools May Have an Early Advantage

Many private schools already operate within existing state tax credit scholarship ecosystems.

Because of that, some private schools may already have:

Development offices
Advancement staff
Scholarship coordinators
Donor outreach systems
Community fundraising strategies
Relationships with Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs)
Experience educating families about scholarship programs

In many cases, private schools have spent years building systems around scholarship growth and donor engagement.

That means some schools may be positioned to move quickly as the federal scholarship tax credit program expands.

A young boy concentrates while coloring in a book at a desk.

Public Schools Have a Massive Opportunity Too

Public schools should not overlook the potential impact of this program.

In fact, the federal scholarship tax credit program could create entirely new opportunities for public school students to access:

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Targeted tutoring support

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Academic intervention services

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Enrichment programming

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Specialized educational assistance

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Expanded learning opportunities

But there is an important reality:

Public schools have traditionally not operated with advancement or donor development infrastructures.

Most public school districts do not have:

Full-time advancement offices
Community donor outreach systems
Scholarship growth teams
Tax credit fundraising strategies
Dedicated relationship managers

That does not mean public schools cannot benefit.

It simply means they may need to build new operational strategies to maximize the opportunity.

What Public Schools Will Need

As this program develops, public schools will likely need to:

Partner with outside organizations
Develop community engagement strategies
Build relationships with local businesses and donors
Educate families about available opportunities
Create systems for scholarship coordination
Hire internal staff focused on advancement and program development

The schools and districts that proactively prepare for this shift may be best positioned to maximize the long-term impact for students.

A teacher lectures to a group of elementary school students seated at desks in a classroom.

This Program Is About More Than Tuition

One of the most important distinctions in the federal scholarship tax credit conversation is that this program is not simply about private school tuition.

It is about expanding educational support for students.

That includes students in:

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Public schools

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Private schools

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Charter schools

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Hybrid educational models

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Specialized educational settings

The schools and organizations that understand this early will likely have the strongest ability to create meaningful impact within their communities.

Community Engagement Will Matter More Than Ever

Whether public or private, schools that succeed in this new environment will likely be the schools that:

Build strong community relationships
Educate families consistently
Engage local business leaders
Develop donor trust
Create long-term advancement strategies
Focus on student-centered outcomes

The federal scholarship tax credit program has the potential to reshape how educational support is funded in America.

But maximizing that opportunity will require more than simply opting into a program.

It will require schools and communities working together intentionally, strategically, and proactively to ensure students fully benefit from the opportunities available.

A teacher points while several students sit at desks in a bright classroom.

Get Started

The FSTCP Will Impact Both Public and Private School Students