Tax Credit for Low-Income Students Scholarship Program (TCLISSP)
Kansas has a Tax Credit for Low-Income Students Scholarship Program, which provides individuals and businesses with tax credits for their donations to scholarship-granting organizations. These scholarships help low-income students attend private schools, funded through individual and business contributions rather than automatic public funds. This Kansas school choice program therefore expands your child’s educational options.
Program Type: Tax-Credit Scholarship
What It Provides: Scholarships to eligible low-income students for private school tuition funded through tax credits to donors.
Who It Serves: Families earning up to 250% of the federal poverty line (FPL), with students ages 5–21.
Prior Public School Requirement: Children in grades K–8 must have attended a Kansas public school in the previous year when first applying. This requirement does not apply to high school students (grades 9-12).
Funding Amount:
- Up to $8,000 per student
- Average award: approximately $3,200
- Scholarship amount determined by individual Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs)
Program Capacity:
- The state allocates $10 million annually in tax credits
- First-come, first-served basis
- Annual cap resets January 1 each year
- As of December 2025, approximately $7.8 million in tax credits remained available for the current year
- Once the $10 million annual cap is reached, no additional scholarships can be awarded until January 1 of the following year
How Families Access Scholarships:
- Families apply directly to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) (not the school)
- The SGO evaluates family eligibility and awards the scholarship
- SGO works with the chosen private school
- School is notified by the SGO once scholarship is awarded
- Families use the scholarship to pay private school tuition
Donor Incentive: Donors (individuals and corporations) receive a 75% state income tax credit for their contribution to approved SGOs, making this a highly effective way to fund scholarships while reducing donor costs.
Certified Scholarship Granting Organizations in Kansas:
- ACE Scholarships SGO, Kansas LLC
- Catholic Education Foundation
- Christian Faith Centre, Inc.
- Prime Fit Youth Foundation SGO
- Renewanation
- Salina Catholic Diocese Scholarship Fund
- Support for Catholic Schools, Inc.
- The Independent School
- Topeka Lutheran School Foundation, Inc.
Eligible Schools: The scholarship must be used at a private school that has notified the Kansas State Board of Education of its intention to participate in the program. Schools must be accredited by the State Board of Education or a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Contact your SGO for a current list of participating schools.
Supplementing the Scholarship: If the scholarship doesn’t cover full tuition, families may supplement with their own funds to cover the difference. Most private schools allow this, but confirm the policy with your chosen school before enrolling.
Scholarship Location: Scholarships can be used at any qualified private school in Kansas, regardless of district. Some families travel to schools outside their home areas. Be aware of transportation logistics if the school is far from home.
Annual Renewal: Scholarships are awarded annually. You must reapply each year if you wish to continue. Renewal is typically given priority (before new applicants), so families who have received scholarships are more likely to continue receiving them in subsequent years, subject to continued eligibility.
Kansas Department of Education – TCLISSP Tax Credit Program →