Supporting Families Through School Choice
Dreaming of private school but concerned about cost?
Whether your child needs the right fit or extra support, finances shouldn’t stand in the way.
We’re here to help you access tuition aid and unlock their potential.

Application Windows For Each Academic Year:
April 18th - June 1st, OR
November 1st - December 1st
(If you miss the 1st window, apply November 1st - December 1st)
Applicant Checklist
Apply
Who Can Apply:
Every child deserves an education that fits their needs. STO4KIDZ provides scholarships for families of all income levels—your child simply needs to be enrolled or in the process of enrolling in an Arizona K-12 private school.
When to Apply:
- April 18th - June 1st of each academic year, or (if you miss the 1st window, apply November 1st - December 1st)
- The application expires on May 31 each year and requires annual renewal for the subsequent school year.
How to Apply:
(A) Apply Online if your child is currently enrolled or enrolling in an Arizona K-12 private school this year. Once your apply and create your Parent Portal account, you can:
- Modify or update your application
- Receive updates on award decisions
- Review your award history
- Submit a new application annually
(B) Planning?
If your child isn’t enrolled in private school yet, you can still begin!
- Complete a Preliminary Registration to begin collecting contributions up to 1–2 years in advance.
- Request Your Toolkit – Everything You Need to Begin Fundraising Now. Secure support early with tools designed to help you succeed!
- Once your child is enrolled, apply for financial aid between April 18 – June 1. We will then start releasing the funds as tuition awards.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
⇒ For Tax Filers
- 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 2025/26 school year, upload your 2024 tax document)
- If self-employed, ALSO upload your IRS transcript tax return or Schedule C (sample), and Schedule E (sample) (uploaded form must not require a password to view)
- Student applicant name must be listed on the tax form of the parent who applies for STO financial aid. If there is a special circumstances or a court order, email info@sto4kidz.org to request the SC form to be emailed to you. You will then complete and upload the SC form in the application for our review.
- If the parent/guardian alternates years claiming the applicant, the parent who claims the child on taxes for the current school year must upload the tax document.
- If you file extension, please include a copy of your IRS extension paperwork. You will have until October 15th to upload tax documents into your portal (Your student's application is considered incomplete until then)
- If the student is not a dependent on a parent/guardian’s tax return and and the parent who is submitting the application cannot obtain financial documents from the claiming parent/guardian, complete this form and uploads into the application
⇒ For Non-Tax Filers
- Complete to upload this Statement of Income Affidavit along with any applicable document during the application process: Social Security benefit statements - Welfare benefit statements (DES) - Retirement benefit statements - Proof of child support or alimony - Rental income, pension income, or additional income
- If household income has changed, you must also upload the last two (2) most recent consecutive paystubs for all income earners in the household. You may also upload a hardship letter.
STUDENT SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS/DOCUMENTS (If applicable)
- Public/Charter School Attendance Verification Form (1st year in private school)
- Past STO Award Verification Form (Attended a private school in past year(s) and received STO award)
- Displaced Student Verification Form (Has been in foster care at one point)
- Student Transfer Verification Form (Verify student transfers and required documentation e.g., home-schooled students transitioning to an AZ private school, students discontinuing ESA accounts, or students relocating to AZ prior to enrolling in an eligible private school).
- If applicant was on ESA during prior school year, and has opted out to utilize STO funding, must upload ESA closed account verification .
- Copy of the Arizona military order
- Copy of IEP/MET document
SUBMITTING DOCUMENTATION
- Required documents can be uploaded during the online application process or added later via your Parent Portal account.
- Applications will not be processed until all necessary documentation has been submitted.
FOUR STO AWARDS AVAILABLE TO YOUR CHILD
1) Individual Original (All students are eligible)
2) Individual Switcher (Overflow/PLUS)
3) Corporate Low-Income
4) Corporate Disabled/Displaced (Lexie's Law)
⇒ This link provides details on the program and eligibility requirements.
What to Expect After Applying
- After you child's application is submitted, you receive a confirmation email.
- STO4KIDZ will review and process the application during our application window.
- You will be notified via email of the status of your child's application.
- If missing a document you will be emailed to view application status and to upload missing document from your Parent Portal account.
- After your child’s application is reviewed and approved by our board, the status in your Parent Portal account will be updated. This update will show your child’s application status and STO eligibility for the current school year. (This is NOT an STO award disbursement)
- NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Email application-related communications to info@sto4kidz.org. Thou application does not guarantee STO award, we aim to assist every applicant. Explore our free tools to boost donor recommendations and maximize awards.
How STO Program Can Benefits You
Tuition aids and scholarships are funded by tax credit contributions from individuals and corporations, and you can help by promoting the program for your child’s benefit.
You can encourage family, friends, and Arizona taxpayers in your community to participate at no net cost to them. They can recommend your child for a tuition aid award through STO4KIDZ, once reviewed and approved by our board the scholarship will be awarded in the next cycle.
Secure Funds for Your Child: Tools Tailored for Your Success
STO4KIDZ provides free resources and tools to help you get tax credit recommendations for your child.
Share The News
Parents/guardians play a key role in raising contributions. Share the materials and resources to help. Ready, Set, Go!
STO4KIDZ Awards Timelines:
Individual Donor Recommended awards (Original and Switcher) are distributed monthly beginning August 31st through April 30th of each school year. (We issue summer awards based on available funds, only.)
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 18-June 1 OR November 1-December 1
NOTE: STO financial aid scholarships are made possible through the generosity of individuals and corporations who redirect their state taxes towards K-12 private school tuition aid. Arizona law now requires all school tuition organizations to print the following notice on all printed materials and websites. A school tuition organization cannot award, restrict, or reserve scholarships solely on the basis of a donor’s recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent. A.R.S. 43-1603 (C). Any designation of your own dependent as a potential recipient is prohibited..
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