Navigating the Utah Fits All Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Utah Fits All (UFA) Scholarship program represents a significant investment in education choice, offering families the opportunity to customize their children's learning experiences. This article aims to provide clarity on the UFA scholarship, covering eligibility, application processes, funding details, and allowable expenses. It's designed for both new applicants and returning families seeking to understand and utilize this valuable resource effectively.

Understanding the Utah Fits All Scholarship

The Utah Fits All Scholarship was established by the Utah legislature to provide families with flexible education options. The program provides families with an education savings account (ESA) to customize their child’s education. These funds go into an account that parents can use for microschools, homeschool, educational therapies, private tutoring, private school, virtual school, part time schooling, and extra educational tools and supplies like books, computers and notebooks. The program is open to all Utah K-12 students, with priority given to families below certain income levels.

Funding and Management

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.

ACE Scholarships initially managed the program, handling applications and awarding scholarships. ACE has partnered with Class Wallet to distribute and manage scholarship funds. However, a new program manager was selected after ACE’s contract expired on May 16th, 2025 - Odyssey replaced ACE Scholarships as the new Program Manager on May 16, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements

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.

Enrollment Preferences

While every Utah K-12 child is eligible, scholarship renewals, applicants at 300% of poverty or less, and siblings of approved renewal applicants are prioritized in that order.

Application Process

Key Dates

The application for new students will open April 1, 2026 and will close May 1, 2026. For Returning StudentsReturning student applications will open on March 1, 2026 and will close May 31, 2026.

Required Documentation

Parents will need to provide a birth certificate, social security number, proof of identity, proof of residency documents, and documentation of household income for any applicable enrollment preference categories.

Applying for the First Time

To help parents, a slideshow of step-by-step application instructions capturing each step in a screenshot with directions was created. This slideshow followed a “new applicant” parent who selected Tax Commission Income Verification and set up a TAP account.

The law according to H.B. 455 requires all new applicants, including siblings, to have their income verified through the Utah Tax Commission. It is recommended all new applicants set up a TAP account. Only those participating in DWS services will be identified during the application process and no further income verification will be required from them.

Application Tips and Assistance

Apply using the TAP function to verify income through the Utah State Tax Commission as required by the law. Prepare ahead by gathering the info necessary for TAP - ensure you enter your personal info accurately.

If you receive an error message setting up TAP or encounter other application issues, contact ACE directly to request help and assistance with resolving the problems.

Contingency Planning

You can also make your contingency plans for the upcoming school year in case your child is not awarded the scholarship. You can apply for other public education options that require an intent to return or an application, such as for a charter school. You may apply for the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program (CSOS) for special needs students if your student qualifies; however, you will need to be aware of their application rules and can only accept enrollment in one option at a time. For enrollment in LEA (district or charter) third party contract programs like OpenEd or Harmony, please be informed of their policies. Once signed up, your child becomes a public education student enrolled in the LEA. Unlike regular enrollment in a public school, these third party contractors may require a contractual signature from you regarding withdrawal and repayment of funds.

Renewal Process for Existing Scholarship Recipients

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.

Returning students must upload a portfolio/ assessment for each returning student. The application will appear within your Parent Dashboard on March 1st, 2026. Returning parents looking to add a student will have the opportunity to do so when returning students applications open. Assessment results, including standardized tests, reading level assessments, college readiness exams, or other nationally or state-recognized assessments as described in Section 53F-6-410. For more information, please visit our Student Portfolio Examples article.

Military Families

Active Duty Military: Parents or households with a parent who is either stationed in Utah on Active Duty orders or Utah residents stationed outside of Utah on Active Duty orders will have to submit orders and proof of state residency (if stationed outside of Utah).

Scholarship Amounts

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

The Utah Fits All Scholarship Program underwent several changes during the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, including updates to the expenses it covers.

“Scholarship expense” means an expense that a parent or scholarship student incurs in the education of the scholarship student for a service or goods that a qualifying provider provides, including:

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 the following examinations, or for a preparation course for the following examinations, that the program manager approves:
- a national norm-referenced or standardized assessment described in Section 53F-6-410, an advanced placement examination, or another similar assessment
- a state-recognized industry certification examination
- an examination related to college or university admission
educational services for students with disabilities from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider, including occupational, behavioral, physical, audiology, or speech-language therapies
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
in accordance with Subsection (20)(c), 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
- the program manager approves

Educational Supplements

“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
- 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
- are not primarily for entertainment or general enrichment purposes
arts and music education materials that:
- align with state core standards
- are used in structured arts or music instruction
other educational materials that the program manager determines are:
- necessary for meeting specific learning objectives
- appropriate for the student’s age or grade level
- 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
other items that do not have a clear, direct educational purpose aligned with academic instruction

Non-Allowable Expenses

“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
- a musical instrument
apparel
other non-educational expenses as the program manager determines

Spending 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.

Legal Challenges

In May 2024, a lawsuit was filed by Utah’s largest teachers’ union challenging the program and 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.

Current Status of the Lawsuit

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.

Program Operation During the Appeal

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.

Potential for Fund Repayment

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.

Additional Resources and Support

Utah Education Fits All (UEFA) serves as the grassroots advocacy organization for the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program and for families seeking education choice.

UEFA's Mission

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.

UEFA's Vision

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.

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