The applications for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) are now closed. Despite the strict eligibility requirements for applicants in this first year, the state Dept. of Education received enthusiastic interest from South Carolina families with over 7,900 applications. Eligible applicants for 2024-2025 must have either attended a public school the prior year or be entering kindergarten this coming year. They must also have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline.

According to Palmetto Promise Institute, applications came from all 46 counties in South Carolina. Families of all races, ethnicities, grade levels and economic groups applied for this program. Additionally, 5,900 applications were from Medicaid-eligible families and 602 from military families.

It is overwhelmingly clear that parents in South Carolina from many backgrounds want to be able to direct the education of their children toward the type of school that best suits their individual needs. The South Carolina Catholic Conference is delighted that so many families are taking ownership over their children’s education.  
We encourage the South Carolina Senate to pass the expansion of the Education Scholarship Trust Fund and make this program universally accessible to all families in the Palmetto State. 
 
Click below to urge your senators to support ESTF expansion in our state. 

Support ESTF Expansion Here!