Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Dear Parishioners and School Families,

I would like to take a few moments of your time to tell you about a NEW State of Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program that will transform Catholic schools and education in the state of Illinois. 

Christ the King School sees the NEW tax credit and scholarship program as an important tool in extending school choice to more families wanting Catholic education at our school.  The Tax Credit Scholarship Program will cover up to 100% of Christ the King School tuition for eligible students.  Under the new Act, students currently enrolled in Christ the King School may be eligible for tuition scholarships as well as those who switch from public schools to Christ the King School. 

To raise funds for the program, Illinois is offering a 75% tax credit for donations to the scholarship program.  For example, if an individual donates $1,000 to Christ the King School through this Tax Credit Scholarship program, they will be able to receive an Illinois tax credit of $750. Donors can donate any amount, from $1 to $1 million per taxpayer per year.

It is important to note that only individual donors may choose to designate a specific school to receive a donation.  Funds designated to Christ the King School will be awarded only to CTK students who qualify for the scholarship program.  Donations from corporations will go to the general tax credit scholarship fund for the entire state of Illinois.

Donations to the Tax Credit Scholarship Fund will start to be accepted on January 2 and we strongly encourage all interested donors to start the registration process today. This new scholarship program has a cap on total contributions eligible for the tax credit and strong interest by Chicago corporations wanting the tax credit may cause this cap to be reached very quickly.

How to Donate:

Step 1: Register Today.  Donors need an account on mytax.illinois.gov to get a Letter ID. This can take up to 10 days. To register visit: mytax.illinois.gov.

Click here to watch a video on registering an account on mytax.Illinois.gov

Step 2: Reserve Your Tax Credit.  After you register, you need to reserve Tax Credit on Jan. 2nd with the Illinois Department of Revenue. To reserve your tax credit visit: mytax.illinois.gov

Step 3: Donate.   IL Dept. of Revenue will send a  tax credit receipt, you may now make your scholarship donation to CTK School through Empower Illinois: empowerillinois.org. 

Please consider donating to Invest in Kids to get a 75% tax credit!  You may also visit our website, www.ctkcougars.com for more information. By donating, you can help make a child’s dreams come true at Christ the King School.  Please call or email me with any questions regarding donations to tax credit scholarship program.

Warm regards,

Pam Fahey,

Principal

Christ the King School

New Tuition Scholarship Program for K-12 Catholic Schools

• Under the NEW Invest in Kids Act Illinois scholarship program, students currently enrolled in Christ the King School are eligible for tuition scholarships as well as those who switch from public schools to Christ the King School.
• All families with students entering grades K through 12 are eligible to apply for the tax credit scholarship.  Funds will be awarded based on income and family size. For example, you could receive a tax credit scholarship if you make less than $73,800 a year as a family of four. (see below graph)

• Scholarships granted to eligible students are subject to the availability of funds. Empower Illinois will use guidelines from the State of Illinois to determine if an applicant meets the requirements and who receives the scholarships.  Empower Illinois (SGO) is Christ the King School's Scholarship Granting Organization. 

• Families of K-12 students can apply for scholarships beginning January 24, 2018. Having your application completed quickly is important. The process of granting scholarships begins early February!  Scholarship applications will continue to be accepted until the scholarship money available is given out.  The sooner the application process begins, the more likely you will be able to receive funds that may be available. 

 The application portal is available at https://empowerillinois.org/

You can begin the process now by going to https://empowerillinois.org/ to learn more about this program, and also by beginning to collect the following documents:

• Copy of 2016 federal tax return, 1099, W-2 or year-end pay stubs.

• Verification of Illinois residence (utility bill, driver’s license etc.).

• Documentation of student age (birth certificate, federal/state ID or passport).

• Student’s prior semester report card.

• If available, letter of acceptance or enrollment at an eligible school.

  The funds are available on a first come, first served basis, so we are encouraging families to apply on January 24, 2018. 

Eligibility Grid:

Please contact Principal Pam Fahey at 546-2159 or Fahey@ctkcougars.com

with questions regarding the scholarship program.