Wisconsin Parental Choice Program

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Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (Tuition Voucher)

The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program will allow parents to receive a tuition voucher to enroll their children in approved private and religious schools. Columbus Catholic Schools has been a school of choice in the program since the 2012-13 school year. The program is limited to those families with incomes equal or below 220% of the federal poverty level (the income levels are listed below).

Applications ARE CURRENTLY OPEN UNTIL APRIL 20, 2023

WHAT INCOME QUALIFIES?

Participation in the voucher program is limited to those with a qualifying income based on family size. For the 2023-24 school year, the following incomes qualify.

Family Size 1 = Maximum Yearly Income Single Parent/Unmarried Couple $29,898 (foster child)
Family Size 2 = Maximum Yearly Income Single Parent/Unmarried Couple $40,282
Family Size 3 = Maximum Yearly Income Single Parent/Unmarried Couple $50,666; Married Couple $57,666
Family Size 4 = Maximum Yearly Income Single Parent/Unmarried Couple $61,050; Married Couple $68,050
Family Size 5 = Maximum Yearly Income Single Parent/Unmarried Couple $71,434; Married Couple $78,434
Family Size 6 = Maximum Yearly Income Single Parent/Unmarried Couple $81,818; Married Couple $88,818
For each additional member add $10,384

WHAT GRADES CAN I APPLY FOR?

Children already attending a private school can apply for a voucher when going into 4K, 5K, 1st grade or 9th grade. Children attending a private school for the first time, returning after a year away, or who enrolled after January 14, 2022 can apply for any grade.

WHERE DO I APPLY?

Applications are all online at: https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/ChoiceParent/

APPLICATION QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL

When choosing the school to which you’re applying, select Columbus Catholic Schools. For the question about which school your child(ren) attended “Last year” it really means the 2022-23 school year (this year). This question is also looking for the specific school for each child (e.g. St. John the Baptist Primary, Columbus Catholic Middle School, etc.).

HOW DO I SHOW MY INCOME?

There are two ways to show your income. First, is an automatic look-up of your most-recently-filed State taxes. If you know your 2021 State taxes show a qualifying income, this is the recommended method. (DOR Method)

The other way to show your income is to type your 2022 Adjusted Gross Income into the application and provide a signed and dated copy of the first two pages of your 2022 Federal 1040 to the school. This will be used to confirm the income level you put on your application. This is the preferred method if your 2021 income would not qualify but your 2022 income would. (DPI Method)

PROVING YOUR ADDRESS (These are the only options)

You’ll also need to prove your address by providing the school with one of the following after you apply:

W2
Property Tax Statement
Paystub with your full address on it
Utility Bill (water, gas, electric, cable, or satellite. Not cellular or any other bill.)
Current Lease
Letter from Government Agency

If you need help applying: Contact us at admissions@columbusdons.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The easiest way to apply is to set up an appointment with our President, David Eaton, at 715-387-1177 or eaton.david@columbusdons.org
THE APPLICATION WINDOW OPENS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS AT 4:00PM ON APRIL 20, 2023. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.
You MUST re-apply every year — even if your child already has a voucher
You will NOT be asked to submit income verification for students who already have a voucher
You WILL need to provide proof of income if applying for a child for the first time, even if your other children have vouchers
That requirement will NOT affect your children’s current vouchers
You WILL need to provide proof of address every year
ONLY those things listed above can be used to prove your address
Clinic bills, cell phone bills, credit card bills, and insurance bills are NOT acceptable proof of residence
If applying for the first time, or for a new child, and using your tax return to prove your income, your return MUST be signed and dated by all those filing the return, even if filed electronically
When applying, the address used on your application MUST match that on your proof of address
If using the Department of Revenue method to automatically prove your income while applying, the name(s) on your application MUST exactly match the name(s) on your tax return
Do NOT WAIT! Sometimes things go wrong when applying. Usually, we can fix the problem and get your application filed correctly. If you wait until the last day to apply, though, there may be nothing we can do to help you and you may lose out on the vouchers. With the entry-point grade limitations, that may mean never getting a voucher.
If you haven’t filed your taxes and think you might not get them done in time to apply, contact us. We can usually solve that problem.
Para ver el proceso paso a paso en español, descargue (to view the step-by-step process in Spanish, download) “Private school Choice Programs en Wisconsin.”