APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN FOR WI SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM
Applications will be accepted Feb 1- April 20, 2017
Summary of the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program
Since 2013 parents across the entire state of Wisconsin have had the ability to match their children with a school that best fits their child’s needs.
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) allows parents to receive a voucher to enroll their children in private or religious schools. The program is limited to those families with adjusted gross incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Student applications for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program can be submitted online from February 1st to April 20th, 2017.
Who is eligible for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program?
Students who are residents of the State of Wisconsin, outside of the Milwaukee and Racine Unified school districts, with a family income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible to receive a voucher to attend a private or religious school through the WPCP.
Do I meet the income requirements?
To meet the income requirements for the program a student’s family must have an adjusted gross income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. A married couple may subtract $7,000 from their adjusted gross income before determining eligibility. Adjusted Gross Income limits are shown below.
185% of the Federal Poverty Level for 2017-18 Family Size Maximum Yearly Income*
1 $21,978
2 $29,637
3 $37,296
4 $44,955
5 $52,614
6 $60,273
7 $67,951
8 $75,647
For each additional member add $7,696
What if my income increases in subsequent years?
A “once in, always in” provision allows family income to rise once a student is in the WPCP. Family income is determined for each student in the year they enter the program. Families could have some children qualify and others that do not qualify depending on family income in the year each child sought entry into the program.
The “once in, always in” provision applies only if a student continues to attend a schoolin the WPCP and does not voluntarily leave the program.
Which students can apply to the WPCP?
All students in grades 4K-12 meeting the income requirements, whether public school students or home school students, can apply for the program. Students who in the previous year were not currently enrolled in school can also apply. Students who in the previous year were enrolled in private school can apply for entrance to 4K, 5K, 1st, and 9th grade only.
Which grade levels are available at the private or religious school?
Each private or religious school determines the grade levels and the number of seats itwill make available at their school to students in the WPCP. The grade levels andnumber of seats available will vary from school to school.
Which schools will participate in the program?
Call your preferred private or religious schools to see if they intend to participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. A list of schools that have applied to participate in the program and the grades they will serve are available at the DPI website:
http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/wpcp-statewide
Can I apply to more than one school through the program?
Yes.
How do I apply for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program?
To apply for the program a parent or guardian must complete an online application that will be available during the open enrollment period from February 1st to April 20th. A link to the application is available at:
http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/wpcp-statewide
Within the online application the parent or guardian will select the schools to which they wish to apply. After completing the online application, the parent or guardian must provide proof they meet residency and income requirements at each school to which they have applied no later than April 20th. The online application is not complete until each
school to which the parent or guardian has applied has verified and accepted the required documentation.
What if the parent or guardian does not have access to a computer or the Internet?
Most public libraries have computers and internet available for public use.
The private or religious schools to which you apply also may have computers available for your use. Please contact the school.
How many students and how many schools will participate in the WPCP?
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program will be limited. Each district will have an enrollment cap of 1 percent of its public school district enrollment, although this cap will increase by one percentage point each year beginning in 2017–18 until the enrollment limit reaches 10 percent, then no cap.
When will I know if my child was accepted?
Shortly after the open enrollment period closes on April 20th, the Department of Public
Instruction (DPI) and the individual school will contact parents to inform them whether their child has received a voucher or their child has been placed on a waiting list.
What do I do if my child is accepted?
Parents whose children successfully receive a voucher must reply to the school within five days after notice from DPI whether or not they accept the voucher and placement at the school.
If the parent has applied to more than one school, the parent must choose which school they wish to attend and reply to that school within five days of notification.
How much is the voucher worth?
In 2017-2018, the amount of the voucher is $7,330 for K-8 and $7969 for 9-12.
Will I have to pay additional tuition?
No. The voucher must be accepted as full payment of the cost of education.
Can a school collect fees from a student participating in the program?
Yes. A school may charge a student participating in the WPCP reasonable fees for personal items such as towels, gym clothes or uniforms, social and extracurricular activities if the activity is not a part of the required curriculum, musical instruments, meals, and high school classes not required or credited for graduation.
A student may not be charged a fee for registration or application to the program, books, teacher salaries, buildings, maintenance, equipment, computers, and any other feedirectly related to the required curriculum.
Does my child have to meet academic standards to attend a school through the program?
A student that meets residency and income requirements is eligible for the program. A school may not use grades or test scores as a condition of acceptance into the program. Once a student is accepted into the program, a school may test a student for placement purposes.
Will my child be required to follow the school rules?
Yes. State law requires schools to have policies and procedures in place regarding suspension and expulsion. Once a student is accepted and enrolled into the school, he or she is required to follow a school’s policies and procedures. A parent should contact the school for a copy of its policies and procedures.
My child has a special need. Can I apply for the program?
Eligibility for the program is based only on residency and income requirements. Please contact the school in which you are interested in enrolling your child for more information on what services they provide.
Must the school provide transportation?
A private school is not required to provide transportation to students in the program. Ifthe school chooses to provide transportation, a fee may be charged. In some cases, the district of residence will provide transportation or reimburse the parent a certain amount for their transportation costs through a contract. Check directly with the private school you plan to attend or with your district of residence.
Where can I find more information about the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program?
Department of Public Instruction 608-266-2853 or 608-266-0523
http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/wpcp-statewide
School Choice Wisconsin at: 414-319-9160
http://www.chooseyourschoolwi.org
Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools at: 608-287-1224
http://www.wcris.org