APPLY NOW

Please also consider redirecting your AZ State taxes to help another family in need of private school tuition scholarships.

Click here to donate

Private Education Is Possible With STO4KIDZ

Make your financial aid process more efficient with our All-In-One application! By completing a single application, your child will be evaluated for all four categories of STO awards that we provide.

2023/24 application will re-open November 1
Collective work. Little pupils are all busy writing in their copybooks.

Application Windows For Each Academic Year:

April 15th - June 1st, OR
November 1st - December 1st

How to Apply

Solicitantes

ESA & STO: Everything You Need to Know!

Applicant Checklist

  • 1

    Apply

    Online Application can be submitted ONLY between April 15th - June 1st, OR November 1st - December 1st each year.
    Incomplete application will not be reviewed for tuition aid award.

    • One application per student, per school year only.
    • Do not submit multiple applications for the same student.
    • Each application is reviewed for eligibility for ALL four award types available (Individual Original, Switcher, Corporate Low Income, and Corporate Disabled/Displaced.)

    ** NOTE: Applications must be renewed and submitted each year (between April 15th -June 1st OR November 1st - December 1st)

     

    Please prepare to upload all required documentation before initiating the application process, refer to the checklist below:

     For Those Who File Taxes: (Required Documents)

    • The first two pages of the previous year’s Federal Tax Return Form (see example 1040 pages 1 and 2).
      (e.g. If you are applying for the 2023/24 school year, upload your 2022 tax document)
    • If self-employed, ALSO upload Schedule C (sample), and Schedule E (sample).
      (uploaded form must not require a password to view)
    • If you filed an extension, please include a copy of your IRS extension paperwork. You will have until October 15 to email your taxes to Info@sto4kidz.org. (Your student's application is considered incomplete until then)
    • If your student has attended an Arizona private school in the prior year, or is NEW to Private School, MUST ALSO upload the applicable supplemental document to be eligible for the STO awards. (View supplemental Forms here)

     

    For Those Who DO NOT File Taxes: (Required Documents)

     

  • 2

    Educate yourself

    • Participate in our Tuition Tax Credit workshops to gain knowledge and skills needed to guarantee your child's continuous enrollment in a school.
    • Your student could be a lucky winner of a prize! Read detail and RSVP here.

  • 3

    Prepare your tools for success

    STO4KIDZ offers a range of free resources and tools to aid you in successfully obtaining tax credit recommendations for your child(ren).

    Review the following available free resources:

  • 4

    Share The News

    Parents/guardians play a key role in raising contributions. Share the materials and resources to help. Ready. Set. Go!

What Next?

After submitting your application, an automated copy will be sent to the email listed on the application.

If you need to update your information, please email info@sto4kidz.org . Please do not submit multiple copies of your student’s application. Applications expire on May 31st of each school year.

Email all application-related communications to info@sto4kidz.org .

Application is not a guarantee for STO awards. However, we work diligently to assist every applicant.

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered for award.

Have all documents ready to upload before starting your application.

Please note that STO4KIDZ must verify your student’s enrollment and tuition balance with your private school. If your child receives a tuition discount from the school, list the tuition amount due after the discount has been applied to your child’s annual tuition fee. You must permit your child’s school to release tuition balance information to STO4KIDZ. Submitting your application is your acknowledgment.

You will be notified by email every time your student receives a tuition award from STO4KIDZ.

Please do not contact us to see if your application has been received and/or processed before August 30th. Thank you for your support. (An automated copy will be sent to the email listed on the application.

Supplemental Forms

Public/Charter School Attendance Verification

View

Student Transfer Verification

View

Past STO Award Verification

View

Displaced Student Verification

View

Application FAQ (Printable)

View

Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre La Aplicación

View

Additional documents may be required

REQUIRED Documents for those who DO NOT file taxes:

Social Security benefit statements

Welfare benefit statements (DES)

Retirement benefit statements

Proof of child support or alimony

If household income has changed, you must also upload the last two (2) most recent consecutive pay-stubs for all income earners in the household

If applicable: rental income, pension income, or additional income

If necessary, you may upload a letter further explaining your financial situation

Supplemental Forms and Documents for Swither and/or Corporate tuition aids eligibiliy:

Public/charter school attendance verification

Prior STO award(S) verification

Displaced student (foster child) verification form

Student transfer verification along with supporting documentation (ie. students who home-schooled directly before attending an AZ private school, OR students who canceled their ESA accounts, OR students who moved to AZ before enrolling into a qualified private school)

Copy of the Arizona military order

Copy of IEP/MET document

STO4KIDZ Awards Timelines:

  • Individual Recommended awards (Original and Switcher) are distributed monthly beginning August 31st through April 30th of each school year.

  • Corporate Low-Income and Disabled/Displaced awards are distributed twice a year (at the beginning of each semester, pending funds availability)

Application Timelines For Each Academic Year:

April 15-June 1 OR  November 1-December 1

 

We’re here to help.

Browse our most frequently asked questions.

STO4KIDZ is a School Tuition Organization (STO) which falls under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We are also certified by the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) and is in compliance with the Private School Tuition Tax Credit Requirements. 

 

We provide tuition financial aid and scholarships to qualified Arizona private school students by utilizing the Arizona tuition tax credit contributions made by generous Individuals and Corporations who would like to redirect their state tax liabilities towards private education and invest in future leaders to positively impact their communities.

 

Every K-12 student can be recommended by individual donors. Corporations have the option to recommend one or more private schools.

 

A Minimum 90% of every dollar is awarded in form of tuition aid and scholarships.

 

Please visit our About Us. or call us at 602.698.8855. We would love to hear from you.

 

 

Please visit our Applicants Home Page for detail.

 

Online Application can be submitted ONLY between April 15th - June 1st, OR November 1st - December 1st each year.
Incomplete application will not be reviewed for tuition aid award.

  • One application per student, per school year only.
  • Do not submit multiple applications for the same student.
  • Each application is reviewed for eligibility for ALL four award types available (Individual Original, Switcher, Corporate Low Income, and Corporate Disabled/Displaced.)

** NOTE: Applications must be renewed and submitted each year (between April 15th -June 1st OR November 1st - December 1st)

 

REQUIRED Documents for those who DO file taxes:

  • The first two pages of the previous year’s Federal Tax Return Form (see example 1040 pages 1 and 2).
    (e.g. If you are applying for the 2023/24 school year, upload your 2022 tax document)
  • If self-employed, ALSO upload Schedule C (sample), and Schedule E (sample). 
    (uploaded form must not require a password to view)
  • If you filed an extension, please include a copy of your IRS extension paperwork. You will have until October 15 to email your taxes to Info@sto4kidz.org. (Your student's application is considered incomplete until then)
  • If your student is NEW to Private School, or has attended an Arizona private school in the prior year.  MUST ALSO upload the applicable supporting document to be eligible for the Switcher and/or Corporate tuition awards (View potentially needed documents listed here)

 

ALTERNATIVE REQUIRED Documents for those who DO NOT file taxes:

 

All students can be recommended by donors for the Individual Original Tax Credit.

STO4KIDZ awards a minimum 90% of every tax credit contribution and charitable donation in scholarship, MONTHLY.

You must apply for each student once per school year. The application is good for each academic year and it expires in May of each year.

Online application windows for each academic year are:

  1. April 15th – June 1st OR
  2. November 1st – December 1st

Yes. A current completed application is required each academic year for STO4KIDZ scholarship consideration. The application expires at the end of each school year, necessitating annual renewal. While we value tax contributor recommendations, they alone do not guarantee a scholarship; STO4KIDZ considers various factors when awarding scholarships. Nevertheless, we strive to meet every student's tuition needs to the best of our ability.

 
 
 
 
 

Where does STO tuition aid come from?

STO Tuition financial aid are made possible through the Individuals donors and Corporate donors who chose to redirect their state income taxes toward private education tuition at no-cost to them.  Participants receive a dollar-for-dollar credit therefore, lowering their income tax liabilities which we all liable to pay anyhow.

 

There are 4 STO award types:

  • Individual Original, and Switcher awards, All students can be eligible for the Individual Original award.
  • Corporate Low-Income (LI), and Disabled/Displaced (DD) awards. 
  • There are prerequisite requirements for the Switcher and Corporate award eligibility.
  • To be eligible for the Corporate LI, family must also meet the state income cap guideline)

 

For Out of State Student:

“Out of state” refers to both US and international students.

To meet the out of state prerequisite for the "Switcher" tuition award the student must enroll directly into a qualified private school.  However, there is no requirement for the student to be previously enrolled in an out of state public school, private school or homeschool.

If they enroll in an Arizona public school or choose to homeschool in Arizona before attending a qualified private school, the student does not meet the out of state prerequisite Switcher awards, but can be eligible for the "Original, Corporate Low-Income (LI) or Disabled/Displaced (DD) awards.

For verification, we require a copy of the student’s school enrollment/withdrawal from the previous out of state school.

 

For Previously Homeschooled Students:

The student must have been homeschooled prior to enrolling in a qualified private school.

Students who complete a school year through homeschooling will be eligible for the "Switcher" tuition award for the upcoming academic year.  Additionally, students who switch directly from homeschooling to an eligible private school within the same academic year are also eligible for the same  award.

If a student enrolls in public school between homeschool and private school, they do not meet the homeschool prerequisite.  For verification, we require a copy of the student’s applicable county homeschool withdrawal form/discontinuation form.

 

Still have questions? Please contact us.

  • Can a student who is receiving Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) money from the Arizona Department of Education also receive funds from an STO?

No.  Pursuant to A.R.S. §15-2402(B)(3), an ESA account holder agrees to not receive any STO scholarships in the same contract year as an ESA.  The ESA contract year is July 1st through June 30th.  Once there is a signed ESA contract, all STO monies that have been remitted to a private school for the same contract year must be returned to the STO regardless of when the ESA contract was signed or when the STO remitted scholarship money to a private school for the same academic year.

 

  • Utilizing ESA Account While Seeking Contributions for Future Tuition through Multi-Year STO4KIDZ Fund: You have the opportunity to request Recommended Fund contributions while your student is enrolled in ESA. Upon submitting your ESA contract cancellation documents to STO4KIDZ, any MULTI-YEAR award your child receives can be directed to your private school. This strategy enables you to gather funds for upcoming higher tuition expenses, like high school. (An annual submission of a comprehensive STO4KIDZ application is required)  (Must submit a STO4KIDZ application annually) 

 

  • Students who opted for STO awards instead of renewing or accepting ESA scholarships: Students who received an ESA in the prior academic year and chose not to renew their ESA account for the following school year, or students who did not accept their ESA scholarship in the current academic year are eligible to receive STO awards. We require a closed ESA account letter. If a student left private school after closing their ESA account to attend an Arizona public school or home-school, they are not eligible for STO awards.

 

  • What if a parent ends the ESA contract during the school year?  Can the student then receive an STO scholarship? If a parent closes the ESA contract during the school year, there won't be any conflict if the student receives an STO award for the remaining academic year, as long as no new ESA contract is signed for the same year. Parents who withdraw from the ESA program will receive an email confirming their ESA account closure, which can be used for STO verification.

 

  • How does STO4KIDZ determine if our financial aid applicants are receiving ESA money?

STO4KIDZ financial aid application form and payment process includes verification with the private schools and the parents that students financial aid applicants do not have a signed contract or have not received any ESA funding for the current school year.  If we determine that the parent has a signed ESA contract, the private school must refund all STO financial aid money paid for the same contract year back to our STO.  STO4KIDZ requires verification from the private schools and the parents throughout the academic year as a student’s ESA status can change during the year.

For information on ESA you can visit AZED.GOV/ESA  OR  contact us.

Basis for awarding tuition aid awards (all programs):

  1. Family financial circumstances
  2. Donor recommendations
  3. A brief narrative about the student by parents/guardian
  4. Letters of recommendation (Optional)
  5. Students with disabilities: Preschool – 12th grade (must provide supporting documents)
  6. Displaced student/Foster child (Must provide supporting documents)

How often STO tuition awards are released and requirements?

  • If your student has Individual donor recommended funds and a complete current school year STO4KIDZ application on file,  awards are released monthly from August to April of each academic year, with checks sent to school at the end of each month. Incomplete applications delay fund disbursement. ( If student had an active ESA account, thier STO recommend funds will be held in his/her "Multi-Year account"  for the following school year (See ESA vs. STO funding for detail)
  • Corporate Low-Income (LI) financial aids that is based on household income and size, are disbursed in September and January at the semester's start, pending fund availability. A complete STO4KIDZ application for the current school year is required.
  • Corporate Disabled/Displaced (DD) financial aids are disbursed in September and January at the semester's start, subject to fund availability. A complete STO4KIDZ application for the current school year is required.

 

  • Individual Original and Switcher awards are disbursed monthly,
  • Corporate financial aids are granted at the start of each semester. You will receive email notifications for each STO award your student receives after the tuition award check has been sent to their school

Please contact us if you are not sure your student qualifies to receive the Switcher Tax Credit or the Corporate financial aid awards.

See all FAQ’s