Do I Qualify
Eligibility Criteria
Illinois’ Tax Credit Scholarship Program is 100% need-based. K-12 students from low-income and working-class families qualify to receive a tax credit scholarship through Empower Illinois. See the chart below for more details.
Students who meet the following criteria qualify for Category 0:
- Received a scholarship from a scholarship granting organization last school year; and
- Submitted their application before April 1
Students who meet one of the following criteria and submitted their application before April 1 qualify for Category 1:
- Are members of a household whose previous year’s total annual income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level; or
- Reside within a focus district; or
- Received a tax credit scholarship in a previous school year; or
- Are siblings of students who received a tax credit scholarship in a previous school year
Students who do not meet the criteria of Category 0 or 1 but submitted their application before April 1 qualify for Category 2. Students who do not meet the criteria of Category 0 or 1 and submitted their application after April 1 will be in Category 3.
Please note the first-come, first-served order of students in each category will be determined by your reservation time stamp. After April 1, all other students will be considered for a scholarship, subject to the availability of funds.
Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Chart
| Household members | 185% FPL | 250% FPL | 300% FPL |
| 1 | $25,141.50 | $33,975 | $40,770 |
| 2 | $33,873.50 | $45,775 | $54,930 |
| 3 | $42,605.50 | $57,575 | $69,090 |
| 4 | $51,337.50 | $69,375 | $83,250 |
| 5 | $60,069.50 | $81,175 | $97,410 |
| 6 | $68,801.50 | $92,975 | $111,570 |
| 7 | $77,533.50 | $104,775 | $125,730 |
| 8 | $86,265.50 | $116,575 | $139,890 |
| Household members | 185% FPL | 250% FPL | 300% FPL |
| 1 | $23,828 | $32,200 | $38,640 |
| 2 | $32,227 | $43,550 | $52,260 |
| 3 | $40,626 | $54,900 | $65,880 |
| 4 | $49,025 | $66,250 | $79,500 |
| 5 | $57,424 | $77,600 | $93,120 |
| 6 | $65,823 | $88,950 | $106,740 |
| 7 | $73,334 | $100,300 | $120,360 |
| 8 | $82,621 | $111,650 | $133,980 |
| Household members | 185% FPL | 250% FPL | 300% FPL |
| 1 | $23,606 | $31,900 | $38,280 |
| 2 | $31,894 | $43,100 | $51,720 |
| 3 | $40,182 | $54,300 | $65,160 |
| 4 | $48,470 | $65,500 | $78,600 |
| 5 | $56,758 | $76,700 | $92,040 |
| 6 | $65,046 | $87,900 | $105,480 |
| 7 | $73,334 | $99,100 | $118,920 |
| 8 | $81,622 | $110,300 | $132,360 |
| Household members | 185% FPL | 250% FPL | 300% FPL |
| 1 | $23,106.50 | $31,225 | $37,470 |
| 2 | $31,283.50 | $42,275 | $50,730 |
| 3 | $39,460.50 | $53,325 | $63,990 |
| 4 | $47,637.50 | $64,375 | $77,250 |
| 5 | $55,814.50 | $74,425 | $90,510 |
| 6 | $63,991.50 | $86,475 | $103,770 |
| 7 | $72,168.50 | $97,525 | $117,030 |
| 8 | $80,345.50 | $108,575 | $130,290 |
Income qualification is based on the tax year listed on the proof of income documents submitted with an application.
Note:
- If more than eight people in your household, please see our Tax Credit Scholarship Program FAQ to calculate your income limits.
- Foster children are deemed to have a household income that does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level.
- If a student received a tax credit scholarship in any previous year, they may still be eligible for a scholarship if their household is within 400% of the federal poverty level.