Act 85 of 2012 created the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program, which enables eligible students, who reside within the attendance boundaries of a low-achieving school, to apply for a scholarship through an opportunity scholarship organization to attend a participating public or nonpublic school.

The program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development and additional information can be obtained by visiting www.newpa.com/ostc, or by calling 717-787-7120.

An eligible student may receive an opportunity scholarship of up to $8,500 for students without a disability or up to $15,000 for students with a disability.

Districts that are interested in participating in this program by enrolling opportunity scholarship recipients should visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s web site at www.education.state.pa.us and click on the  “Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program”? icon to fill out the intent to participate form.

Note: Low-achieving schools are not permitted to participate as a receiving school, and students from a low-achieving school are not permitted to transfer to another building within their home school district.

The intent to participate is required to be submitted to the Department of Education no later than August 15, 2012.

If you have any questions, please email ra-ostcp@pa.gov.