School Choice in Minnesota? We are Closer than Ever Before

By: Ricky Austin

By now, you have probably seen the exciting news about recently passed federal legislation that could directly impact Aim Higher Foundation’s mission and our work to ensure every child has access to a high quality education. (See our op-ed posted in the Star Tribune.)

As part of the federal tax reconciliation bill, the Educational Choice for Children’s Act (ECCA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, establishing a new dollar-for-dollar tax credit that encourages donations to scholarship-granting organizations like ours. Under the provision, and beginning in 2027, individuals who donate to a qualified, scholarship-granting organization can receive a tax credit of up to $1,700. Those funds, in turn, would be made available to families to pay tuition at a Catholic school, tuition at another private school, or even for additional fee-based educational services like tutoring.

For individual donors, the tax credit will be available to anyone in the country. For prospective scholarship recipients, participation in the program is contingent on the state “opting in.” Currently, it is ultimately up to each Governor to determine which organizations are eligible to receive donations and distribute scholarships.

At the Aim Higher Foundation, we are confident in our reputation as a trusted and credible organization serving students from families who seek the educational choice this new program creates. And we are actively exploring all avenues to ensure you, as donor or recipient, can access this opportunity. We remain optimistic about the potential impact of this program, should Minnesota choose to participate.

Our team has created a page on our website that provides an overview of what we currently know about the federal scholarship tax credit. We will keep it updated as additional information is made available.

Our op-ed posted in the Star Tribune provides more background and facts about how the legislation and the program work.

We remain committed to and focused on our “one thing:” ensuring all children, regardless of their background or the size of their parents’ paycheck, can access the life-changing benefits of a Catholic school.

In service,

Ricky Austin is the president of the Aim Higher Foundation.