School FAQ’s

  1. Does our school need to do anything to partner with IBE?

    IBE requires a school agreement be completed each school year. The agreement can be found here. Please call our office if you have any questions or would like the school agreement emailed.

  2. If a donor contributes and recommends our school, will our school receive the donation?

    While IBE is required by law to consider factors other than the recommendation of the donor, IBE does its best to honor the wishes of the donor.

    * Notice: A.RS. 43-1603: A school tuition organization cannot award, restrict or reserve scholarships bases solely on a donor’s recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayers own dependent.

  3. What grade/age does my student need to be to receive a scholarship?

    IBE can scholarship students, grades K-12 and disabled preschoolers who are at least 3 years of age with an Arizona public school IEP or MET. Kindergarten students must be 5 by December 31st in order to receive scholarships.

  4. Can IBE pay for a prior or future year’s tuition?

    By law, IBE can never pay for a prior year’s tuition.  In very few instances, IBE may be able to pay for a future year’s tuition.

  5. Can IBE pay for summer school?

    IBE can pay for summer school for high school students only. The classes paid for must be credit-bearing classes needed for graduation.

  6. Can IBE pay scholarships to a child who is repeating a grade?

    Yes.

  7. What happens if I over-accept funds for a student in error?

    The school must refund the amount in excess of tuition to IBE.  For IBE’s refund form, click here.

  8. What happens if a student withdraws during the school year?

    Your school is required to refund IBE a prorated amount of the scholarship funds received. Those funds will be available to award to scholarship a child in need.

  9. Can a student receive scholarships from more than one STO?

    The law allows students to receive scholarships from any STO at that same time. Some STO’s, however, have policies that may restrict the applicant from accepting other funds.

    The law prohibits students from accepting both STO funds and Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds at the same time.

  10. Is IBE audited?

    Yes. The law requires IBE to have an annual independent audit completed and the IBE Board of Trustees has required this audit even before it was part of the law.  Transparency is paramount to IBE.