Utah Fits All Scholarship: Expanding Educational Opportunities for K-12 Students

The Utah Fits All Scholarship is a school choice program funded by the State of Utah, designed to provide educational opportunities for students across the state. This program allows students from all backgrounds to access the best education solution for their individual needs.

Eligibility Requirements

To access the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, students must meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements ensure that the scholarship benefits Utah residents who are of school age. The eligibility criteria are:

Residency: Students must be residents of the state of Utah.
Grade Level: Students must be eligible to participate in public school in kindergarten through grade 12.
Exclusivity: Students may not receive funds from the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program while also receiving a scholarship from the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Notably, the program is open to students currently enrolled in public school, as well as home-based ESA students. Every K-12 child who is a resident of Utah qualifies to receive the scholarship, whether they currently attend public, private, homeschool, or are eligible to start kindergarten in the upcoming school year, they are eligible to apply for the Utah Fits All Scholarship.

For new applicants, being enrolled in a different education option during the official application enrollment window - whether a public (district or charter), private, or even another public education scholarship program - does not preclude you from applying for the Utah Fits All Scholarship.

Scholarship Amount and Funding

The Utah Fits All Scholarship Program is funded by state appropriations. For its first year of operation, the Utah legislature allocated $82.5 million to the program.

2024-2025: Utah Fits All Scholarship Program students receive $8,000 for their educational expenses.
Funding Limit: The initial appropriation limits enrollment to no more than 10,000 students, which is less than 2% of Utah’s K-12 student population.

The Utah Fits All Scholarship was funded at $80 million for the 2024-2025 school year. The program was appropriated an additional $40 million in ongoing funding in the 2025 legislative session! $20M will be allocated for the 2025-26 school year and the full $40M for the 2026-27 school year, providing opportunity for thousands more students to participate in the program.

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year:

A scholarship student is eligible for no more than:
- for a private school student, $8,000
- for a home-based student ages 5-11 as of September 1 of the scholarship year, $4,000
- for a home-based student ages 12-18 as of September 1 of the scholarship year, $6,000

“Private school” means a full-time, tuition-bearing educational institution where the student receives the majority of the student’s academic instruction.

Allowable Expenses

Utah Fits All Scholarship accounts may be used for a wide range of education expenses and services beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. These expenses are designed to support a student’s educational journey and provide flexibility in choosing educational resources. The program manager has created a searchable database for families to find allowable and prohibited expenses, by category, allowing families the greatest flexibility and use of funds.

Education expenses can include:

Tuition and fees of a qualifying provider
Fees and instructional materials at a technical college
Tutoring services
Fees for after-school or summer education programs
Textbooks, curricula, or other instructional materials, including any supplemental materials or associated online instruction that a curriculum or a qualifying provider recommends
Educational software and applications
Supplies or other equipment related to a scholarship student’s educational needs
Computer hardware or other technological devices that are intended primarily for a scholarship student’s educational needs, not to exceed once every three years for a scholarship student
Fees for examinations, or for a preparation course for examinations approved by the program manager
Educational services for students with disabilities from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider
Contracted services that the program manager approves and that an LEA provider offers, including individual classes, after-school tutoring services, transportation, or fees or costs associated with participation in extracurricular activities
Ride fees or fares for a fee-for-service transportation provider to transport the scholarship student to and from a qualifying provider, not to exceed $750 in a given school year
Expenses related to extracurricular activities, field trips, educational supplements, physical education experiences, and other educational experiences
Coursework or an educational supplement for arts and music that aligns with state core standards
A musical instrument rental, excluding purchase
Any other expense for a good or service that a parent or scholarship student incurs in the education of the scholarship student; andthe program manager approves

2025 Utah Fits All Expense Changes (H.B. 455 Section 53F-6-401)

“Educational supplements” means:

materials, tools, and equipment that:
- are directly related to and necessary for subjects aligned with the core standards the state board establishes pursuant to Section 53E-4-202;
- are used for specific learning objectives or competencies;
- support structured learning activities or lessons; and
- are consumable or non-reusable in nature;
supplemental learning materials that:
- directly support or enhance the delivery of instruction in core academic subjects;
- are tied to specific educational goals or outcomes; and
- are not primarily for entertainment or general enrichment purposes;
arts and music education materials that:
- align with state core standards; and
- are used in structured arts or music instruction; and
other educational materials that the program manager determines are:
- necessary for meeting specific learning objectives;
- appropriate for the student’s age or grade level; and
- primarily educational rather than recreational in nature.

“Educational supplements” does not include:

entertainment materials;
recreational equipment;
food or nutritional items;
furniture or household items;
general office supplies not specific to an educational activity; or
other items that do not have a clear, direct educational purpose aligned with academic instruction.

“Scholarship expense” does not include:

chaperone expenses, except that a family with one or more scholarship students receiving the scholarship under Subsection 53F-6-402(2)(c)(i) may use scholarship funds for one chaperone expense or pass per family, regardless of how many scholarship students are in the family or household;
season tickets or subscriptions to entertainment venues;
ski passes or lift tickets;
access to recreational facilities unless for physical education of the student;
playground equipment;
the purchase of any type of:
- furniture; or
- a musical instrument;
apparel; and
other non-educational expenses as the program manager determines.

20% Limitations

A scholarship expense for extracurricular activities may not exceed 20% of the total scholarship amount.
A scholarship expense for physical education requirements may not exceed an additional 20% of the total scholarship amount.
A scholarship expense for arts and music is not an extracurricular activity.

Application Process and Timeline

The state began accepting Utah Fits All scholarship applications on Feb. The application window closes April 15. Applicants must apply online and will need to provide the following information: A phone number and date of birth. If a family is verified to already be receiving government assistance, like SNAP, they will not be required to provide additional income information. Families will be notified no later than April 18 if their child or children have been selected for a scholarship.

Within 24-48 hours of applying, families will receive a notification confirming their eligibility in the program, along with their assigned enrollment preference category. This is not an official award notice. Students may be placed on a waitlist if the number of applicants exceeds available funds. Families will be able to check their place in line through the application portal.

Prioritization

Though all K-12 children are eligible, Utah law requires preference be given to low-income families. Applications will be prioritized in the following order:

Students who participated in Utah Fits All the previous school year (not applicable for 2024-25).
Students with a family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $60,000 for a family of four.
Siblings of students who participated in the program the prior year (not applicable for 2024-25).
Students with a family income between 200% and 555% of the federal poverty level, or a range of about $60,000 to $166,500 for a family of four.
All other applicants.

Program Management and Financial Administration

Odyssey replaced ACE Scholarships as the new Program Manager on May 16, 2025. The law requires full cooperation on the part of ACE Scholarship to ensure a seamless transition to a program manager on May 16, 2025.

ClassWallet

According to ACE, families will manage their funds online or on their mobile device via an application called ClassWallet. Funds will hit their account in early August. ClassWallet is a digital wallet platform where all scholarship accounts will be created, one for each student, ACE officials said. There are a few ways parents can use it.

First, through an option called “DirectPay,” parents can pay tuition and other expenses using the scholarship funds. The payment is initiated when the parent uploads the invoice from the school or approved vendor and when ACE approves the purchase.

Second, parents can “shop” within the ClassWallet platform from a pre-approved marketplace of vendors, which includes stores like Staples, Office Max and Michaels. Parents will only see items or services that are approved based on the legislation, said ACE officials.

If parents do not see an item or service on the marketplace, they can use their own money to purchase it and seek reimbursement on ClassWallet by uploading receipts. They will be reimbursed so long as it is considered a qualified expense.

Legal Challenges

In May 2024, a lawsuit was filed by Utah’s largest teachers’ union challenging the program, and it remains ongoing. Legislation to create the program was passed with referendum proof votes in the legislature, preventing a ballot initiative to recall the program. The Partnership for Educational Choice, a joint project between EdChoice and Institute for Justice, intervened in defense of the program on behalf of parents who benefit from the program.

Additional Lawsuit FAQs

What is the next step and how long could it take?

Judge Scott’s April 21, 2025 court ruling will be appealed to the Utah Supreme Court. While we don’t yet have a timeline for a ruling, history tells us the process will be lengthy-quite possibly stretching over several months and extending well into next year. Below is a typical overview of the appeals process, with each stage potentially adding additional time before a final decision is reached.

Stages:

Petition for interlocutory appeal proceedings
Merits briefing
Oral argument
Decision by Utah Supreme Court

Each specific step may take weeks or months to complete

Filing of legal briefs
Reply briefs
Scheduling of oral arguments
Oral arguments before the Court
Deliberation by the Justices
Issuing the final opinion
Will the program be allowed to operate uninterrupted?

Yes! In a 3rd District Court Status Conference held on April 23rd it was determined by Judge Scott, in agreement with all parties, that the Utah Fits All Program can move forward uninterrupted until the Supreme Court renders a decision.

Will a scholarship recipient be required to repay any used funds if the Court ultimately renders a decision against the program?

There is no absolute answer to that question, but here’s what we know. These are the biggest factors supporting an unlikely requirement for fund repayment:

There is no request for repayment in the lawsuit filed against the program
No repayment mandate was issued in Judge Scott’s court ruling against the program
All sides agreed to allow the program to continue to operate until the courts decide constitutionality, indicating plaintiff’s aren’t seeking repayment

Additionally, there is a thing called good faith reliance, where funds are used in good faith believing said program is lawful.

Grassroots Advocacy

Utah Education Fits All (UEFA) serves as the grassroots advocacy organization for the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program and for families seeking education choice. At UEFA, we believe in the power of a strong, united community rallying behind the common cause of ensuring Utah Families have the freedom and access to choose the best fit for their child’s education. We believe in an education where the family takes center stage, allowing parents to customize options that align better with their values, expectations, and their children’s unique needs. Our Vision is that every child will be able to find their unique fit in education through choice and a multitude of options, fulfilling Utah’s promise as a welcoming, opportunity-rich state.

Changes and Updates

The Utah Fits All Scholarship Program underwent several changes during the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, including updates to the expenses it covers. These changes are outlined below to assist you in navigating the new provisions in the law.

As of March 6, 2025, additional eligibility requirements have been put in place, including:

Stronger residency requirements (additional verification may be needed)
Updated income verification (if applicable)
Stricter reporting guidelines for use of funds
More precise definitions for private schools (not all institutions qualify)
Requiring specific documentation for non-traditional learners, including homeschoolers taking college courses
Different amounts of scholarship funds for private school and home school students

Any applications for renewal of an existing scholarship or new scholarships received to date will not need to be resubmitted. However, additional documentation may be required for verification under the new guidelines. If the program manager, ACE Scholarships, has an application (either for renewal or a new application) ACE Scholarships may require additional verification or documentation - to the extent necessary - to ensure eligibility criteria are met. ACE Scholarships will not accept a new application for renewal, or as a new recipient, if you already have one on file.

Restrictions and Important Considerations

A student receiving a scholarship cannot simultaneously be enrolled in a public school, district or charter, where they are counted as a student by the public school for funding purposes. To receive a scholarship, you are agreeing to opt out your child from public school. You cannot be funded for both public school and a scholarship.

Appealing Decisions

Parents and students have the right to appeal certain decisions made by ACE. Those include scholarship expense denials and determinations regarding enrollment eligibility, suspension or disqualification. Parents must file a written request within 10 days of receiving the decision they want to appeal. ACE will then forward the request to the state’s superintendent within two business days of receiving it. The superintendent must then provide written notice of their final determination within 30 days of the date the appeal was submitted to ACE.

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