Up to $8,000 available: Utah Fits All scholarship deadline nears for new applicants

SALT LAKE CITY — The deadline for newcomers to sign up for the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program that could give them up to $8,000 per child for their education is this Friday, May 1, at 11:59 p.m.

The scholarships are funded by state grants, and this year the Legislature added $20 million to the program, bringing the upcoming school year total to $120 million, to be distributed among applicants.

"Parents have a very strong opportunity to receive the scholarship," said Robyn Bagley, executive director of the grassroots program Utah Education Fits All. "Based on what we know between splitting scholarships between home-based learners and private (schooling), there will be around 20,000 students. That will be up from the 14,500 that we have now."

As it currently stands, the scholarship is awarded in three tiers: students ages 5 to 11 are eligible for $4,000; students ages 12 to 18 receive $6,000; and students attending private schools full-time receive an $8,000 scholarship toward their education.

With the program still in its infancy in Utah, Bagley said changes have been made. One of those changes is how materials, programs and other educational resources are purchased, approved and how funds are allocated.

"The program manager, Odyssey, has a marketplace and any vendor of educational goods or services can join that marketplace," she said. "(Vendors) get paid directly from the student's account."

She further explained that if a parent has a product or service that they want to use that is not on the marketplace, there is now a way to submit it for approval and financial reimbursement.

"Many parents have goods and services that are not in the marketplace that they would like to use for their favorite piano teacher or dance studio or even a product that they can't find on the marketplace," she said. "They can go ahead and purchase that and then be reimbursed. The pre-approval process helps so the parents don't have to play a dangerous guessing game of 'should I or shouldn't I buy this, or will it be approved?'"

The rules for choosing private schools are a little more fluid, and a recent bill was introduced to establish guidelines to decide which private schools should be covered in the program.

Even with many kinks still to be ironed out, Bagley said she believes the program is good for Utah students because it gives them a chance to choose the education that is best for them.

"The bottom line is, it is important for us to ensure that children receive the education that they need to thrive and succeed," she said, adding that the "vast majority" do fit in a traditional public school model.

"Many parents are very happy with (traditional public schools)," she continued. "However, as a society, we want to ensure that our children can have the success they need. The Legislature, in its wisdom, has provided an opportunity for these children to have other options to meet their needs."

She explained that even with the deadline quickly approaching, scholarships are not awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Applicants are selected on a priority level," she said. "Returning students have the first priority; siblings of current students are given second priority; and third are any families at 300% federal poverty level or lower. The fourth priority is anybody else. It is not first-come, first-served; it's by priority.

"The scholarships will be awarded on June 16, and those who receive them will have to accept by June 30 because July 1 starts the new scholarship year," she added.

The Friday application deadline applies to new students, and returning students need to submit their applications by May 31.

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