Tuition Assistance

We’re excited to share important information about the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) Program, a valuable opportunity for your family. This program provides financial support to help pay for private school tuition and fees, giving your child access to a quality education. Here’s everything you need to know about how the program works and the changes that have recently been made:

Key Benefits of the ESTF Program

1. Financial Support for Private School Tuition
   The ESTF program helps cover tuition and fees at private schools, including schools like ours. This means that your family can now use these funds to help pay for your child's education at a private school of your choice.

2. Increased Scholarship Amount
   Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the scholarship amount will be 90% of South Carolina’s per-pupil spending. This means that the amount available to your family will rise to about $7,700, up from $6,000. More funds mean more opportunities for your child to attend the school that best fits their needs.

3. Expanded Eligibility
   Previously, only students who had attended public school the year before were eligible. Now, that requirement has been removed. Any eligible student can apply, regardless of whether they were enrolled in public school last year.

4. Stable and Sustainable Funding
   The funding for this program will now come from the South Carolina Lottery, providing more security for the program and ensuring that it continues to benefit families in the future.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the ESTF program, your family’s income must be below 300% of the federal poverty level. This means that more families than ever before will be able to access this opportunity.

Persons in Family/Household	300% of Federal Poverty Guideline
1	$ 45,180.00
2	$ 61,320.00
3	$ 77,460.00
4	$ 93,600.00
5	$ 109,740.00
6	$ 125,880.00
7	$ 142,020.00
8	$ 158,160.00

 

For the 2025-26 school year, there is a cap of 10,000 students for the program. Once this cap is reached, no additional students can join. That’s why it’s important to apply as soon as possible to secure your child’s place.

Why Should You Apply Now?

With a limited number of spots available, the program is expected to fill up quickly. Don’t wait—make sure to get your application in early to guarantee that your child can benefit from this opportunity. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing a spot.

To be eligible, your application must be completed and submitted by March 15th, 2025. 

How to Apply

To apply for the ESTF program, you’ll need to follow the official application process. Be sure to check your eligibility and submit all the required documents as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity.

If you have any questions or need help with the application, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process!

This is an exciting moment for your family and your child’s future—don’t miss out on the chance to take advantage of this program!

Financial Aid is available for students in grades K-12.  Click here to access the financial aid application. 

*Please note that you must apply for admission to Cross and be accepted before you will be reviewed for Financial Aid.*

Important Deadlines

• November 1 – Financial Aid Application window opens
•  December 31– Priority Consideration Deadline (the majority of the funds are distributed to families who meet this deadline.  After December 31, Financial Aid applications are reviewed on a rolling basis).

FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment is the company that will be conducting the financial need analysis for Cross Schools.  Families applying for financial aid will need to complete an online application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS directly.  Once an application has been completed, the following information must be sent to FACTS to complete your application:

• Copies of your most recent Federal tax forms, including all supporting tax schedules and W2s.
• Copies of supporting documentation for Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and TANF.

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All supporting documentation can be uploaded in PDF format online.

Documentation can also be faxed to 866-315-9264 or mailed to the address below.  Please be sure to include the applicant ID on all faxed or mailed correspondence.

FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment

P.O. Box 82524

Lincoln, NE. 68501-2524

Once your application has been processed by FACTS, the Financial Aid Committee will meet to determine the final award amounts. 

If you have questions about the application process, please contact registrar@crossschools.org.