Colorado Private Scholarship Programs
Colorado does not provide public funding for private education. However, these private nonprofit scholarship program organizations offer limited scholarship assistance, and a federal program is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Federal Tax Credit Scholarship (Upcoming – Starts 2027)
Program Type: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (Opt-In)
What It Is: A newly announced federal program where businesses and individuals receive tax credits for donating to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which then fund student scholarships.
Target Audience: Public and private school students (income limits may apply, typically up to 300% of area median income)
Status: Coming Soon. Governor Polis announced Colorado’s opt-in in December 2025; benefits begin January 2027.
Funding Amount: To Be Determined (Federal cap on credit is $1,700 for donors; scholarship amounts will vary by SGO)
ACE Scholarships (Privately Funded – Available Now)
Program Type: Private Non-Profit Scholarship
What It Provides: Partial tuition scholarships for children from low-income families to attend private schools
Target Audience: Low-income families (typically qualifying for Free/Reduced Lunch programs)
Funding Amount: Up to approximately $2,000–$4,000 per year (partial tuition assistance)
Application Timing: Application window is typically February through April (around Tax Day)
Parents Challenge (Privately Funded – Regional)
Program Type: Private Non-Profit Grant
What It Provides: Grants for families to access tutoring, private school tuition, or homeschooling resources, coupled with mandatory parent empowerment training
Target Audience: Residents of El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo counties meeting income guidelines
Funding Amount: Varies annually based on donations
Important Notes:
- These are private scholarships—not state-funded programs
- Awards are partial—families typically pay a significant portion of tuition out-of-pocket
- Families can often stack scholarships from multiple sources plus school-based financial aid
- Private schools themselves often offer institutional financial aid packages