2. What are my chances of receiving an award?

The number and amount of scholarship awards distributed are entirely dependent on the contributions our Program receives from generous Pennsylvania Businesses and fluctuate accordingly. While it is our desire to assist all families who meet the application criteria, every year many more families apply than we are able to assist.

4. If I received an award last year, will I receive it again this year?

Scholarships are not guaranteed from year to year and families must re-apply each year. In the spring, applications will automatically be sent to families who received awards for the prior school year.

6. When will I find out if I have received an award?

By the end of August all families who have completed the application process will be notified by mail whether or not they will receive an award. Notification most likely will be received after the first tuition payments are due for school. Keep this in mind as you plan. We make every effort to announce award decisions as quickly as possible.

8. What happens after I tentatively receive an award?

All award recipients will be required to submit an additional information form to verify student eligibility. After these forms are received and processed, schools are contacted and asked to verify student enrollment, tuition, and fees. If the student is determined to be ineligible at that time for the scholarship or for the scholarship amount, the award will be withdrawn or reduced. If the student is eligible, checks are written for the award and mailed to schools.

2. When is the application due?

Applications for 2009-2010 must be postmarked by Monday, May 18, 2009. Only complete applications will be processed. Incomplete applications will not be considered for awards.

4. How can I prepare to fill out the application?

In advance, prepare and collect last year's household Federal and State Tax Returns with all Schedules and W-2 forms, as well as other financial documents.

6. How long is the application?

The application is 4-5 pages long.

8. How can I get an application?

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Requests for applications for the 2009-2010 school year are now being accepted.

Applications for 2009-2010 will be available for download on our website in March 2009.

In addition, starting January 1, 2009, individuals may request an application by mail. Application requests received prior to January 1 will not be accepted.

Applications will be mailed to individuals starting in March 2009. Applications may take up to 2-3 weeks to arrive. Before requesting an application by mail, please note:

• Due to the large volume of application requests, requests cannot be acknowledged.

• FCSP 2008-2009 Award Recipients will automatically receive applications by mail. Please do not request an application if you received an award from our Program for last school year. Please do notify us if your address has changed since you received an award last Fall 2008.

If you would like to receive an application by mail, please send the following information:

• Your Full Name

• Address

• Home Phone Number

• Work Phone Number and Extension (if applicable)

• E-Mail Address (if applicable)

by only one of the following options after January 1, 2009.

Online

By Phone

By Mail

Do not send multiple requests.

10. How can I be sure that PSAS received my application?

If you would like to receive notification that the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) has received your application, you must enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard or envelope with your application.

2. Where do the scholarship donations come from?

Approved Pennsylvania businesses donate funds to our program and in turn receive tax credits from the State of Pennsylvania.

Businesses may donate to our general scholarship fund or they may designate donations as long as such designations do not violate the goals or mission of the Pennsylvania Family Institute or the Family Choice Scholarship program, and do meet the guidelines of Act 2001-4 and the Internal Revenue Code. For example, businesses may designate contributions for awards for students attending specific schools or living in specific regions.

4. Who can apply for FCSP scholarship awards?

In order to apply...

• Families must be residents of the State of Pennsylvania.
• Families with one dependent child must make no more than $60,000 a year with an increase of $10,000 allowed for each additional dependent child.
• Students in Pre-K must be enrolled in an EITC Eligible Pennsylvania private Pre-Kindergarten Program (see next FAQ).
• Students in grades K-12 must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania private school.

6. In which Pennsylvania private schools can K-12 students be enrolled?

In order to help provide families with the opportunity to make the education choice they deem best for their children, the Family Choice Scholarship Program awards scholarships to qualified K-12 students at private schools across the State of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania private school must:
1. be a day school at which the compulsory attendance requirements of the Commonwealth may be met.
2. meets the applicable requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
3. not violate the goals or mission of the Pennsylvania Family Institute or the Family Choice Scholarship Program.

8. What are my chances of receiving an award?

The number and amount of scholarship awards distributed are entirely dependent on the contributions our Program receives from generous Pennsylvania Businesses and fluctuate accordingly. While it is our desire to assist all families who meet the application criteria, every year many more families apply than we are able to assist.

10. If I received an award last year, will I receive it again this year?

Scholarships are not guaranteed from year to year and families must re-apply each year. In the spring, applications will automatically be sent to families who received awards for the prior school year.

12. How much is the application fee?

The application fee for 2007-2008 is $20. The fee solely covers the cost of processing the application. It is non-refundable. Make checks and money orders payable to the Private School Aid Service.

14. Is a separate application required for each student within a family?

No, only one application is required per family. Add all eligible dependent children to your application when you apply.

16. Must all sources of income be reported in the application?

All sources of income, including non-taxable income such as:

must be thoroughly and officially documented. If you need to request these items from other sources, please do so now.

Applications submitted without complete official documentation will not be processed and will not receive scholarship award consideration.

18. How can I get an application?

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Requests for applications for the 2008-2009 school year are now being accepted.

Applications for 2008-2009 will be available for download on our website in March 2008.

In addition, starting January 1, 2008, individuals may request an application by mail. Application requests received prior to January 1 will not be accepted.

Applications will be mailed to individuals starting in March 2008. Applications may take up to 2-3 weeks to arrive. Before requesting an application by mail, please note:

• Due to the large volume of application requests, requests cannot be acknowledged.

• FCSP 2007-2008 Award Recipients will automatically receive applications by mail. Please do not request an application if you received an award from our Program for last school year. Please do notify us if your address has changed since you received an award last Fall 2007.

If you would like to receive an application by mail, please send the following information:

• Your Full Name

• Address

• Home Phone Number

• Work Phone Number and Extension (if applicable)

• E-Mail Address (if applicable)

by only one of the following options after January 1, 2008.

Online

By Phone

By Mail

Do not send multiple requests.

20. How can I be sure that PSAS received my application?

If you would like to receive notification that the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) has received your application, you must enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard or envelope with your application.

22. If after sending in my application I need to report changes (change of address, school, financial status), who do I notify?

If your address, the school at which your child(ren) is/are enrolled, or your financial status changes after submitting your application, you must notify Lysa Balmer at the Private School Aid Service.

Please select one of the following options:
1. E-Mail: lbalmer@psas.org
2. Fax: 775-806-6069
3. Mail:
Private School Aid Service
Attn: Lysa Balmer
909 P Canterbury Rd
Westlake, OH 44145

Be sure to include:
• Your Full Name (First, Middle, Last) as provided in the Application
• The Full Name(s) of Your Child(ren)
• Your Social Security Number
• The Changes You are Reporting
Report your new address or if you are changing schools, you must report the child’s name whose school is being changed, their grade, the old school’s name, address, and phone number, and then the new school’s name, address, and phone number. If you are reporting a change in financial status, provide a detailed explanation.

24. When will I find out if I have received an award?

By the end of August all families who have completed the application process will be notified by mail whether or not they will receive an award. Notification most likely will be received after the first tuition payments are due for school. Keep this in mind as you plan. We make every effort to announce award decisions as quickly as possible.

26. What happens after I tentatively receive an award?

All award recipients will be required to submit an additional information form to verify student eligibility. After these forms are received and processed, schools are contacted and asked to verify student enrollment, tuition, and fees. If the student is determined to be ineligible at that time for the scholarship or for the scholarship amount, the award will be withdrawn or reduced. If the student is eligible, checks are written for the award and mailed to schools.