Scholarship Granting Organization — IRC §25F

Opening doors
families didn't
know existed.

ScholarStreet connects income-eligible families with scholarship funding under the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit — placing students in the schools where they can truly flourish.

IRC §25F
Governing federal authority — Education Freedom Tax Credit
Federally authorized
300%
Area Median Income threshold for household eligibility
Based on county AMI ·
K – 12
All grade levels, all qualifying school models, no fee to apply
Serving families & donors nationwide
$0
Cost to families to apply for a ScholarStreet scholarship
Always free
"Every child deserves a school that sees them. ScholarStreet exists to help families get there."
§25F Education Freedom
Tax Credit
Federal authorization
for SGO scholarship
granting activity
Our Mission

Built for families.
Accountable to every dollar.

ScholarStreet was founded on the belief that access to the right school shouldn't depend on a family's income. We operate as a federally authorized Scholarship Granting Organization, channeling donor contributions into scholarships for students who need them most.

How scholarship funding reaches your family
🏦
Donors & businesses contribute

Contributions may generate a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer per year under IRC §25F — making ScholarStreet a zero-net-cost giving option for many donors.

↓     ↓
🏛️
ScholarStreet reviews and awards

We verify income eligibility against county AMI data, manage full federal compliance, and award scholarships to qualifying families in priority order.

↓     ↓
👨‍👩‍👧
Your family receives an award

Scholarship funds are disbursed directly to qualifying schools or approved educational expenses. Awards are federal income tax-free under §139K.

i.

Income-eligible families, first and always

Every award is reserved for households at or below 300% of the Area Median Income for their county. No exceptions and no favoritism — the statute sets the floor and our commitment goes beyond it.

ii.

School choice belongs to families

Private school, homeschool co-op, microschool, or specialized learning program — if it qualifies under §25F, we'll help fund it. Parents know their children best.

iii.

Rigorous, transparent stewardship

We document every application, every decision, and every disbursement. Federal compliance isn't a checkbox for us — it's the foundation of the trust families and donors place in ScholarStreet.

Process

Four steps.
Straightforward by design.

Families navigating educational decisions carry enough complexity. We've built a process that stays out of the way.

01
Submit your household application

Complete our online application with household income details, student information, and your intended school or educational program. There is no fee to apply.

Families
02
Eligibility review

We verify income against your county's HUD AMI threshold and review documentation. Our team reaches out if anything is needed. Expect a response within a few business days.

Our commitment
03
Receive your award letter

Approved families receive an official §139K scholarship award letter. This document confirms your award amount and is your record for tax purposes. Awards are federal income tax-free.

For families
04
Funds disbursed to your school

Scholarship funds are sent directly to qualifying educational institutions or approved expense categories. No money passes through family hands — it goes straight to the school.

For students

For donors: redirect your tax liability into student scholarships.

Under IRC §25F, contributions to ScholarStreet may generate a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer annually. That's money that would otherwise go to the IRS — directed instead to a child's education. Donors receive a formal §25F acknowledgment letter for their records.

Contribute Now
Eligibility

Understanding
eligibility criteria.

ScholarStreet uses published scholarship criteria to help applicants understand whether an opportunity may be a good fit. Criteria may include factors such as state of residence, academic status, field of study, financial need, community involvement, or other scholarship-specific requirements.

About the income threshold

Financial eligibility under the §25F program is based on the Median Family Income (MFI) for the applicant's local area — not a fixed national dollar amount. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes these figures annually for every metropolitan area and county in the country.

To qualify, a household's prior-year gross income must fall at or below 300% of the MFI for their area. Because median incomes vary by location, so does the threshold — a family in a high-cost metro may qualify at a much higher income level than one in a rural county.

For example: if the Median Family Income for a given metro area is $100,000, a household earning up to $300,000 in that area meets the income threshold. In a county where the median is $60,000, the threshold would be $180,000. Your number depends entirely on where you live.

HUD MFI figures are updated each fiscal year. ScholarStreet references the most current published data when reviewing applications. You can look up your area's figures directly at huduser.gov.

Other criteria we consider

  • State of residence within §25F participating program states
  • Student grade level and current enrollment status
  • Field of study or intended educational program
  • Community involvement or service, where applicable
  • Additional requirements specific to individual scholarship offerings
Scholarship Programs

Awards shaped around
how students learn.

No two students are alike. Our scholarship categories reflect the genuine range of educational paths families pursue — from traditional private school to homeschool and beyond.

I

Tuition & Enrollment Scholarships

Covers tuition and standard enrollment fees at qualifying private K–12 schools. Families identify the institution; ScholarStreet manages the award and works directly with the school on disbursement.

Most common
II

Special Needs & Specialized Learning

Students with documented learning differences or diagnosed educational needs receive priority review. Awards may cover specialized programs, therapeutic educational services, and supplemental curricula beyond what traditional schools provide.

Priority review
III

Homeschool & Microschool Support

Families pursuing homeschool or microschool education models may access scholarship funds for approved instructional materials, co-operative enrollment fees, and qualifying educational expenses consistent with §25F guidelines.

Growing program
Note

Scholarship award amounts are established by ScholarStreet based on available funding, student circumstances, and program parameters. Families are encouraged to contact us before finalizing enrollment arrangements so expectations can be properly set.

Compliance & Governance

Accountability is
not optional here.

As a federally authorized SGO, ScholarStreet operates under a rigorous compliance framework. Families trust us with sensitive information. Donors trust us with their contributions. We honor both responsibilities unconditionally.

Our compliance documentation is available upon request. We welcome scrutiny — it reflects our commitment to operating exactly as the law requires and as our donors and families deserve.

Request Compliance Summary
§
IRC §25F Federal Authorization

ScholarStreet operates as a Scholarship Granting Organization under the Education Freedom Tax Credit provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Every aspect of our activity flows from this authorization.

Income Verification & AMI Methodology

We apply income determination procedures consistent with current HUD Median Family Income data and IRS Notice 2025-70. Our verification workflows are reviewed as regulatory guidance continues to develop.

Application & Award Recordkeeping

Every application, eligibility determination, award decision, and disbursement is documented and retained in accordance with federal recordkeeping requirements. Nothing is improvised.

Donor Acknowledgment Letters

Each donor receives a formal written §25F acknowledgment containing the information required to claim the Education Freedom Tax Credit on their federal return.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Scholarships are awarded without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, or disability. Student financial need and income eligibility are the sole determining criteria.

Get In Touch

Every conversation
starts simply.

Whether you are a family exploring your options, a donor considering a contribution, or a school seeking to partner — we will respond thoughtfully and promptly.

General Inquiriesinfo@scholarstreet.org
📋
Scholarship Applicationsapply@scholarstreet.org
🤝
Donor Relationsdonate@scholarstreet.org
📍
OrganizationScholarStreet · Virginia — National Operations

We respond to all inquiries within two business days. For time-sensitive compliance or application matters, please note that in your message and we will prioritize accordingly.

Send us a message