Private School Financial Aid in Pennsylvania
2026 programs, income limits, and how to apply
Pennsylvania has no state voucher program, but 48% of private school families still get aid through tax credit scholarships and school-based financial assistance. Average tuition: $12,200/year.
Check Your Eligibility
Enter your household income to see which Pennsylvania programs you might qualify for.
Gross income before taxes. Income limits shown for a family of 4; actual limits scale with household size.
Pennsylvania Financial Aid Programs
All available programs for private school families in 2026
Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)
Business-funded scholarships through SGOs. Income limit: ~$105K/family of 4. Over $200M/year in scholarships
Income limit: $105,000/year (family of 4)
$8,500
/year max
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)
Scholarships for students in low-performing public school zones. Income limit same as EITC
Income limit: $105,000/year (family of 4)
$8,500
/year max
School-based financial aid
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Catholic schools offer significant diocesan aid. Independent schools have endowment-funded aid
Varies
by school
The Full Picture in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's EITC is one of the biggest private school aid programs in the country — over $200M in scholarships annually. If your family income is under $105K, you should apply through an SGO. The Opportunity Scholarship is a second program for students in low-performing school zones. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have massive Catholic school systems with their own tuition assistance. Combined, nearly half of Pennsylvania private school families get some form of aid.
How to Apply for Aid in Pennsylvania
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.