SE Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is hoping families of non public-school students across the state took time on Jan. 15 to apply for scholarship funding.

“Families who have students in a private or parochial school should check into this scholarship program to see if maybe they qualify to help pay for the costs of their children’s education,” Bailey said in a press release. “I’m aware of at least a couple of schools in our area on the recognized list: St. Joseph Grade School in Olney and St. Thomas School in Newton.”

This marks the third year for the program, which “allows K-12 students from families with limited financial resources and income up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a tax credit scholarship.”

Returning scholarship recipients can qualify with up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

For students applying before April 1, special priority will be given if they are members of a household whose previous year’s total annual income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level, reside in a focus district, received a scholarship from a scholarship granting organization during the previous school year or have siblings that are already part of the scholarship program.  

Applicants will be notified by email on Jan. 17 about the second phase of the application process, with students encouraged to submit that part of the application by Jan. 27th to insure their best chance of receiving funding.