Federal Tax Credit Could Boost Scholarships—But State Cuts Draw Concern

By: Ricky Austin

At the Aim Higher Foundation, each school year tends to begin in a similarly optimistic way: with a sense of hope and the promise of possibility for families enrolled in Catholic schools—and those striving to get there.

This year was no different—at first. Like so many before, it began with buzzing classrooms, eager students, and parents stepping forward to invest in their children’s future. But as the months have unfolded, and, as you have no doubt seen in the news recently, both unexpected challenges as well as opportunities have emerged. Each has the potential to reshape the landscape in ways we can’t fully anticipate.

So…do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Let’s start with the good.

Across the country, we’re seeing renewed momentum to expand educational opportunities for families seeking a great school for their children. In Washington DC, the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) has been reintroduced in both the US House and Senate. If it becomes law, ECCA would create a $10 billion federal tax credit for those donors who give to scholarship organizations like the Aim Higher Foundation.

In other words, you, our donors and friends, would receive an additional incentive to give to our mission, and in turn, we would be given the resources and tools to serve more families and offer larger scholarships.

We are preparing to meet this opportunity with the strength and speed it demands. In fact, for those of you who have been supporting us the last decade or so, you know we have a leg up in this conversation: our scholarship programs were modeled off a scholarship tax credit bill introduced in Minnesota in 2017. If you have questions about the ECCA or what it could mean for Catholic education here in Minnesota, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re neck-deep in conversations about the ECCA here and across the country.

So that’s the good news. Here’s the bad:

Many of you have seen the Minnesota Governor’s proposed budget cuts to resources designated to students at non-public schools. The cuts threaten essential services that many families—particularly those from low-income and working class backgrounds—rely on like busing, textbooks, counseling, special education, and school nurses. These supports make a real difference for children and families. Losing them would hurt the most vulnerable populations by weakening the quality of the educational programs they need most.

We encourage you to ensure your voice is heard, and stand with the families who depend on these programs, by reaching out to your local legislators. You can learn more and send a message to both state reps and senators in just a couple easy steps by visiting the websites of our partners at Minnesota Catholic Conference and Minndependent.

Through the good and bad, at the Aim Higher Foundation, we are reminded every day of what’s at stake.

When a child is in the right school with the right support, a cascade of positive outcomes follow, contributing positively to their entire future. But the opposite is also true: a missed opportunity in second grade can become a long-term setback—affecting families, communities, and generations to come.

We invite you to stay engaged with our mission and help us work toward the day when all children have access to the quality of education they deserve.

Ricky Austin is the president of the Aim Higher Foundation..

In Service,