Dear Holy Name Parents,

I am writing today to encourage your support for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. The Congress made available a Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program which, if approved by the governor, would offer eligible families of children in both public and private schools, tuition, tutoring, after school care, transportation, books, technology, hearing equipment, speech services, and much more. The funds would be administered by several approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) of the tax donor's choosing. The program will allow taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 dollars to an approved SGO.

For the program to be implemented in Massachusetts, Governor Healy must opt in by January 1st. If she does, people may direct their federal tax liability toward helping children with their educational needs. For parents of Catholic school students, contributions to the Catholic Schools Foundation could help increase support for deserving children with tuition assistance. 

Details of the Tax Credit Program:

• FSTC can bring hundreds of millions of new dollars to Massachusetts students and families with no impact on public school funding.

• This opportunity extends to students across education settings. Scholarships could support expenses such as tutoring, academic enrichment, special-needs services, technology, transportation, tuition, and other educational supports.

• FSTC is not a voucher program.  Vouchers are government-funded and use public dollars, whereas the FSTC incentivizes private charitable contributions to SGOs. Under the FSTC, funds flow from private donors to SGOs and then to families; in contrast, voucher programs direct funds from the government to schools.

We need your help making sure elected officials are also hearing from those who support Massachusetts opting IN.

Please take a few minutes to call your local City Council, Town Council, or Select Board and/or send them an email asking them to support Massachusetts participation in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. You can find contact information for your local officials here.

Please reach out as soon as possible. Local officials need to hear that families across Massachusetts want the Commonwealth to opt in and make these resources available to our students.

Thank you for your support.

Mr. Chisholm