South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)
The Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) is a state-administered scholarship program designed to help eligible South Carolina families access educational options that best meet their child’s needs. It functions like an Education Savings Account (ESA) and can be used toward approved educational costs — including private school tuition at qualifying schools like South Carolina Christian Academy.
How It Works
- ESTF allocates scholarship funds directly to eligible families through an online account managed by a state-appointed provider.
- For the 2025-26 school year, qualifying students receive up to $7,500 per student, and the amount increases slightly for 2026-27.
- Families can use these funds for tuition and fees at participating independent schools like SCCA.
- These funds may also be used for other approved expenses such as textbooks, tutoring, online courses, exams, and therapy services (as allowed under state rules).
SCCA is an eligible education service provider under the ESTF program, and we’re happy to help families navigate the process. Families do need to apply through the state’s application process before allocating funds.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for ESTF, students must generally meet certain state requirements, including:
- Be a resident of South Carolina.
- Be a student in grades K–12 (and not yet graduated).
- Meet household income eligibility thresholds, which for 2026-27 extend up to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Attend an educational setting other than their zoned resident public school when receiving ESTF funds.
(Note: Eligibility criteria — including income limits and application windows — can change each year. Families should check current requirements before applying.)