The Carson Smith Opportunity scholarship is available for children in grades K-12, and may be used for private school tuition, books, supplies, and education-related therapies. This program is an alternative to the Carson Smith Legacy Scholarship program, which also provides scholarships to students with disabilities to attend private schools. To qualify for either of these programs, students need to demonstrate needs that would qualify them for special education if they were in a public school.
The key difference between these programs is related to funding: The Carson Smith Legacy Scholarship was solely funded by annual legislative appropriations. The Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship is run by the State Board of Education. The Opportunity Scholarship also receives annual legislative appropriations, but is also funded through tax credit donations.
The Opportunity Scholarship is run through a private non-profit organization, Children First Education Fund. Given the non-profit nature of this program, family awards are based upon income level; however, there is no income cap. If a student demonstrates the need for special education, has the appropriate professional signatures determining a need, and is a resident of Utah, they can apply for this scholarship.
Learn more about the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship here.
McGillis incorporates a scholarship disclosure in our Tuition Assistance process, and receipt of a Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship weighs into Tuition Assistance awards for applicants.
Please note that the Carson Smith Legacy Scholarship program is no longer accepting new students and is only available for students who have been recipients of the scholarship, continue to demonstrate need, or are transferring their scholarship to McGillis.
