Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program

The Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Education that allows qualifying South Carolina families to apply for a scholarship of $7,500 per student, per year. Scholarship funds can be used to create a customized, flexible education for their child.

Due to overwhelming demand, the limit of 10,000 scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year has been reached and a waiting list has been established. Visit the SCDE website to register for the waitlist.

IMPORTANT

  • Scholarships are awarded to students meeting the qualifications on a first come, first-served basis. Notifications will be sent out in March.
  • For help connecting with approved service providers or for additional support using your ESTF funds, visit Outbridge.
  • This is a scholarship for Kindergarteners through 12th grade students.
  • The student cannot attend their zoned resident public school for the 2025-2026 school year.
Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program

FAMILIES & STUDENTS

Families can use scholarship funds to create a customized, flexible education for their student, including paying for approved expenses like tutoring, educational therapies and out-of-district attendance fees. Learn more in the Participant Guide
To qualify for the 2025-2026 school year, the student must:
  • Be a resident of South Carolina AND
  • Must be a K-12 student, has not graduated and has not reached the age of 22; AND
  • Have a household income that does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty guidelines OR be a confirmed Medicaid recipient (by individual student) AND
  • Cannot attend their resident public school for the 2025-2026 school year.
    NOTE: Your resident public school is the school that your student is zoned to attend, based on your address. As part of participation in the ESTF program, a student must be withdrawn from their resident public school.
  • In addition, the family must have a household adjusted gross income (AGI) that does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty guidelines (this requirement is waived if the student is confirmed to be a Medicaid recipient
  • Need link for outreach webinar
To be eligible for the first on-time quarterly ESTF distribution of $1,875, applications must be submitted by July 8th, with all supporting documentation uploaded by July 11th.
Applications received after July 8th may not qualify for Quarter 1 funds but will be considered for future quarterly distributions.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Persons in Family / Household 2024 Federal Poverty Guideline 300% of Federal Poverty Guideline
1
$ 15,060.00
$ 45,180.00
2
$ 20,440.00
$ 61,320.00
3
$ 25,820.00
$ 77,460.00
4
$ 31,200.00
$ 93,600.00
5
$ 36,580.00
$ 109,740.00
6
$ 41,960.00
$ 125,880.00
7
$ 47,340.00
$ 142,020.00
8
$ 52,720.00
$ 158,160.00
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $16,140 for each additional person.
Next Steps

  1. Access scholarship funds on ClassWallet

    Once your student is approved, you will receive a Welcome Email from ClassWallet with next steps on how to access your scholarship funds through the ClassWallet platform. In late July 2025, your student's scholarship account will be funded with the first quarterly payment, and you'll receive step-by-step instructions on accessing and using the scholarship funds. Stay tuned for support and training!

  2. Use your student's scholarship

    Make payments and purchases for approved expenses using your student's scholarship account through ClassWallet.

EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS

Thank you for your interest in serving ESTF families & students. Education Service Providers or ESPs are individuals or organizations approved by the South Carolina Department of Education to provide educational goods and services to scholarship students at the direction of their parent or guardian. All ESPs must be approved to participate in the program and the Department has developed an application process which outlines the criteria and timeline for approval.
Get Started

  1. To submit an application, complete the Education Service Provider application form.

    Education Service Provider Application

  2. You will receive notification of the state's decision within 10 business days of your submission.

  3. Within 3 business days of your ESP Application approval, you will receive an email from ClassWallet with instructions on finalizing your registration and creating your ClassWallet account. You must register and link your bank account to receive payments from families and students.

HELP & SUPPORT

Need help with the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) Program or the ClassWallet platform?
Contact our support team for assistance.
CALL CLASSWALLET

(877) 313-1299
Monday through Friday from 8 am - 8 pm ET
Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm ET

EMAIL CLASSWALLET

help@classwallet.com

CONTACT OUTBRIDGE SUPPORT

For help connecting with a provider, or for additional support using your ESTF funds.

https://www.outbridge-sc.org