Families
Important information for families
We take seriously our mission to provide educational choice for families. Unlike most scholarship organizations, we do not, nor will we ever, charge families for applying for scholarship assistance.
Due to the immense demand for scholarships, it is important to note that the Bridge Educational Foundation does not offer an opportunity for families to request scholarships directly from the Foundation. If you are interested in a scholarship for your child, please contact your intended private school directly and ask them about scholarship opportunities.
While we have a vast network of partner schools, not every school in Pennsylvania may be aware of the scholarship opportunities through the EITC and OSTC Programs. Consider taking this letter to your targeted school to inform them of these Programs.
EITC Income Guidelines
The student must be a member of a household with an annual household income of no more than $122,322, except that an additional income allowance of $21,531 is permitted for the student and for each other dependent (as defined by the IRS) living within the same household.
The DCED does not allow any gray area. If the family's AGI is even $1.00 over the guideline, then the family does not qualify.
Scholarship FAQs for Families
How do I apply for an EITC scholarship from Bridge Educational Foundation?
We do not offer an opportunity for families to apply directly to Bridge Educational Foundation for a scholarship. Please contact the private school(s) where your child(ren) hope to enroll to inquire about scholarship opportunities. Be sure to encourage your school to make a scholarship request to Bridge on behalf of the school families.
Does the student have to be a resident of Pennsylvania?
Yes. Eligible students are school age residents of Pennsylvania and enrolled in a school located in the Commonwealth.
What paperwork is needed when there are other adults living in the household?
The DCED requires foundations to verify the income for ALL adults living in the household for the appropriate tax year. Bridge must obtain a tax return for all adults living in the household — significant others, grandparents, children who live with the family who are no longer claimed as dependents, etc.
What if the adults in the household do not have the appropriate tax return(s)?
Bridge can verify the household income by asking applying families to attest to any income that entered the house during the appropriate tax year in a letter that they must sign in front of a notary public.
How much tuition assistance may a family receive through the EITC Program?
The amount of a scholarship paid to a student may not exceed the actual amount of tuition charged by the school in which the student is enrolled, nor exceed the actual amount of tuition charged by the school to non-scholarship students. The max scholarship award from Bridge is $8,500 per student per school year.
Is there any other avenue I can explore to obtain scholarships for my children?
Please visit the Department of Community and Economic Development's homepage at newpa.com. Under the topic of EITC, there is a downloadable Scholarship Organization List of all other organizations that may be able to assist your family.