Private School Financial Aid in Illinois
2026 programs, income limits, and how to apply
Illinois has no state voucher program, but 42% of private school families still get aid through tax credit scholarships and school-based financial assistance. Average tuition: $12,600/year.
Check Your Eligibility
Enter your household income to see which Illinois programs you might qualify for.
Gross income before taxes. Income limits shown for a family of 4; actual limits scale with household size.
Illinois Financial Aid Programs
All available programs for private school families in 2026
Invest in Kids (expired — renewal pending)
Was 75% tax credit for SGO donations. Served 9,600 low-income students. Expired 12/2023. Check for renewal
Income limit: $78,000/year (family of 4)
$14,000
/year max
Big Shoulders Fund
Largest private scholarship fund in Chicago — supports Catholic school students on the South and West sides
Income limit: $55,000/year (family of 4)
$5,000
/year max
School-based financial aid
Chicago-area independent schools and Catholic schools offer significant institutional aid
Varies
by school
The Full Picture in Illinois
Illinois had one of the best tax credit scholarship programs in the country (Invest in Kids) but it expired in December 2023. Renewal legislation is pending — watch for updates. Without it, aid is school-based or through private organizations like Big Shoulders Fund. Chicago's Catholic schools offer some of the most affordable private education in any major city ($5K-$8K with parish discounts). Suburban and independent schools have higher sticker prices but many meet 60-80% of demonstrated need.
How to Apply for Aid in Illinois
Apply for state programs first
Apply through your state's scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) for tax credit scholarships. These have the biggest awards.
Apply for school-based aid at every school
Most schools use TADS, FACTS, or SSS for financial aid assessment. Apply by January-February for the following school year. School aid stacks with state programs.
Check private scholarship organizations
Local nonprofits, community foundations, and religious organizations often provide additional scholarships. Search "[your city] private school scholarships" for local options.