Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program

Scholastic Opportunity Scholarships are funded from donations from businesses participating in the PA tax credit program and open to any student, Catholic or non-Catholic, in grades Pre-K through 12. There are specific income guidelines. Families applying for this aid must also use the FACTS Management form.

This program, established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with funds first disbursed in the 2002-03 school year, is open to any student, Catholic or non-Catholic, in grades Pre-K through 12 residing in Pennsylvania and attending any eligible Catholic school in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Michael Freker, diocesan director of Planned Giving, gives EITC Program details.

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs provide tax credits to eligible individuals contributing to the Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Fund via one of the Special Purpose Entities formed for the benefit of the Scholarship Organization at the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
 
Donations received by Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Fund are awarded to students attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools and pre-school programs in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
 
Tax credits may be applied against the state tax liability of an individual for the tax year in which the contribution was made.  For a two-year commitment, a Qualified Individual can receive a 90% tax credit.

Participants can send their contribution to the Special Purpose Entity designating the school they want to support. The Special Purpose Entity will send participants a K-1 to receive a tax refund.