Greetings!

As we continue to advocate for Governor Ferguson to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, the Washington Student Success Coalition is asking all those who hope to see Washington state join the 31 other states who have already opted in to this new federal program to send a letter to Gov. Ferguson.

We can help by sharing the following the letter with our staff, families and supporters, inviting them to participate in this letter writing campaign. Additionally, I am asking each of you to take three minutes today to create your letter of support and send it in.

Sample letter

Dear families, friends, and supporters,

 I am writing to ask for a few minutes of your time on a matter that could benefit students across Washington State, whether they attend public, Catholic, independent, or home schools.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) is a new opportunity that allows individual taxpayers to direct up to $1,700 of their federal tax liability to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization, rather than to the IRS. It comes at no added cost to the taxpayer. Those funds can then support students through tutoring, tuition assistance, textbooks and classroom supplies, specialized services, transportation, and other educational needs.

For the program to be available in Washington, our Governor must choose to opt in. Governor Ferguson is listening, and this week is an important moment for him to hear from the families and communities this credit would serve.

At [School Name], [X]% of our families receive tuition assistance, and many more are one unexpected expense away from needing it. Scholarships through this credit could help eligible families with tuition, so that a Catholic education stays within reach for the next family that comes to us.

Because we believe every child is made in the image of God, we care about more than our own school. Families in public, independent, and home school settings are looking for ways to give their children what they need, too. The Church teaches that parents are the first educators of their children and should be free to choose the school that serves them best. This credit is one way for our whole community to help more Washington families to give their children the education they need.

Here is how you can help. It takes about three minutes.

1. Write a letter of support. Use the online tool at optinwa.org to personalize your message to the Governor. Share your story: a few sentences about who you are and why education matters to you is enough.
2. Send it to the Governor. When you finish, copy or download your letter, then use the link provided to submit it on the Governor’s online message page.
3. Invite others. Forward this message to relatives, friends, parishioners, and neighbors, and ask them to write as well.

Every letter counts, and no letter is too short.

Thank you for your generosity, your trust, and your care for all of our children.

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Fall Pastor and School Leaders Meeting



We look forward to seeing you this Thursday, October 29, at St. Thomas in Tukwila. Mass begins at 9am, celebrated by Archbishop Etienne. The day will include information on Fulcrum’s new investment, Side x Side, which seeks to broaden our collective ability to serve all learners, and more information on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. The full agenda for the day can be found here.

If you have any questions related to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, please submit them here: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Questions.

With gratitude, 

NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent

Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle