How ACSTO Works
We believe every student should have the opportunity to receive a Christian Education. Our goal is to do everything we can to make this affordable for you. Since 1998, ACSTO has awarded more than $370 million to 50,500 Arizona students. Tax credit scholarships have made it possible for thousands of families to send their children to Christian Schools — we hope your family will be one of them!
How the Program Works
When an Arizona taxpayer makes a donation to ACSTO, they receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against their state tax liability. This means that when they file their Arizona taxes, if they normally get a refund, they’ll get a bigger refund. If they normally owe, they’ll owe less.
ACSTO awards scholarships
ACSTO is 100% funded by tax credit donations and uses them to award tuition scholarships to K-12 students attending one of our Partner Schools. Donors may identify a school or recommend a student to be considered for a scholarship. By Arizona law, a recommendation does not guarantee a scholarship.
Students attend Christian Schools
For a student to be considered for a scholarship, ACSTO needs a current Scholarship Application for the student each school year. They must also be enrolled at an ACSTO Partner School to receive scholarship awards.
Original vs Overflow Scholarships
Original Scholarships
Any student who is enrolled at one of our Partner Schools is eligible to be considered for an Original Tax Credit Scholarship. These scholarships are funded through donations to the Original Tax Credit.
Overflow Scholarships
If a donor maximizes their contribution to the Original Tax Credit, they may donate an additional amount to the Overflow Tax Credit. Our Overflow Scholarships are funded through these contributions. These scholarships are similar to Original Scholarships, however, only certain students qualify to receive them.
Receiving a Scholarship Is Easier Than You Think
Create a Parent Portal account and apply online for scholarships. Only one application is required per student every school year. Applications expire at the end of the school year, regardless of when they are received.
Once a complete application is received, your student will be considered for scholarships during each remaining Award Cycle for the school year shown on the application. Your student must also be enrolled at the Partner School named on the application.
If you prefer, you may print and submit a complete application to us by mail, fax, or email it to applications@acsto.org.
We encourage families to begin talking to friends and family about donating to ACSTO and recommending their student up to 12 months before the student begins attending a Partner School. New students can first be considered for scholarships during the Spring Award Cycle prior to starting school (as long as an application is received between February 3 and March 31, and the student is enrolled for the upcoming school year).
Be sure to take advantage of our great Parent Resources and attend a Parent Workshop!
Applications
Applications for the next school year become available beginning on February 3. ACSTO does not have family accounts — our Selection Committees consider each student separately when making scholarship awards. Each student requires a separate application, however, only one application is required per school year (not per award). Applications expire on May 31 of the school year shown on the application, regardless of when they are received.
Award Cycles
ACSTO has four Award Cycles per school year. We consider every student who has a current application, is enrolled, and meets the qualifications of each type of scholarship by the cycle’s Application Deadline. ACSTO awards donations made by each cycle’s Donation Deadline. View our Award Timeline for more details and deadlines.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Arizona also offers scholarship opportunities to families considered to be low income, students with disabilities, or students who are currently or were once in Arizona’s foster care system. Learn more from our sister organization, School Choice Arizona.
Want to make the most of Arizona’s tax credit scholarship program?
In this quick video, learn how the program works, how a dollar-for-dollar tax credit can make giving easy, and why sharing it with friends and family can help open the door to scholarship opportunities.
Watch now to learn how your support can make a difference.
Have additional questions about how ACSTO works?
Contact our team with any additional questions. We’d love to help make Christian Education affordable for your family!
