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. For the 2025-2026 school year, the award amount is $7,500. For the 2026-2027 school year, the awarded amount will be $7,634.
Application for renewing families will be open beginning November 1, 2025. Please note: In accordance with Act 11, all returning families must submit an application through FACTS for the 2026-2027 school year. There are no exceptions.
Due to overwhelming demand, the limit of 10,000 scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year has been reached and an interest form has been established. Visit the pre-qualification tool to see if you qualify and register for the interest form.

IMPORTANT

  • 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.
  • Students cannot attend their zoned resident public school.
South Carolina Department of Education

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 2026-2027 school year, the student must:
  • Be a resident of South Carolina AND
  • Attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the current school year, OR have received a scholarship the previous school year. Must be a K-12 student, has not graduated and has not reached the age of 22.
  • Have a household income that does not exceed 500% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Cannot attend their resident public school for the 2026-2027 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 As part of participation in the ESTF program, a student must be withdrawn from their resident public school.
  • Window 1: Returning awarded students and their siblings. Opens November 1st and closes January 14th and priority will be given until Window 2 opens.
  • Window 2: Priority students. Open January 15th - February 8th
    • Active-duty parent or guardian stationed in South Carolina OR
    • Income at or below 300% FPL OR
    • Prior year public school attendance OR
    • Returning awarded student or sibling who missed Window 1
  • Window 3: All eligible students. Opens February 9th.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Persons in Family / Household 2025 Federal Poverty Guideline 500% of Federal Poverty Guideline
1
$ 15,650.00
$ 78,250.00
2
$ 21,150.00
$ 105,750.00
3
$ 26,650.00
$ 133,250.00
4
$ 32,150.00
$ 160,750.00
5
$ 37,650.00
$ 188,250.00
6
$ 43,150.00
$ 215,750.00
7
$ 48,650.00
$ 243,250.00
8
$ 54,150.00
$ 270,750.00
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $34,400 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 2026, 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.

(803) 598-2776
https://www.outbridge-sc.org