Any Illinois student who meets the below criteria is eligible to apply to receive a Big Shoulders Fund Tax Credit Scholarship.

All Illinois residents are invited to apply! Complete Step 1 of the Application on application day to verify your eligibility.

NOTE: This income chart is for you to see if your household income makes you ELIGIBLE to apply. It is NOT for the amount you can receive for a Tax Credit Scholarship.

Please use this table to see how much of a scholarship you are eligible for. Award amounts are based on proof of income documents submitted in Step 2 of the application.

A list of eligible schools can be found here. An eligible school is a school located in any of the following counties in Illinois: Cook, Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, DuPage, Joe Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago, and is recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Before application day, please check our school list to see how your school will be listed on the application. Many schools have similar names, so you should check the school name and address on our school list here.

Completing Step 1 of the application is the initial process for applying for a Tax Credit Scholarship. Once you complete Step 1 of the online application, you will see a confirmation screen and receive an email confirming your date-time stamp.

We will reach out to applicants via email to complete Step 2 of the application. Not all applicants will be asked to complete Step 2, and completion of Step 2 is not a guarantee of a scholarship.

Throughout the year, applicants will be kept informed of their waitlist status via email. We cannot look-up your place in line, but watch your email for updates (check your spam and junk folders). Please save sgoapp@bigshouldersfund.org to your contacts list to receive all time-sensitive information.

If a Tax Credit Scholarship Application is denied, this means that the information provided for household income did not meet the income guidelines, as defined by the Illinois Invest in Kids Act. Click here to check if you qualify.

An application will also be denied if we do not receive your complete Step 2 documents allowing us to verify your income and residence within 10 days of the Step 2 document request.

You will be asked to provide:

• Email address

• Number of people in your household*

• 2021 or 2022 household income

• Street address, city, state zip code, and county**

• Parent name and contact information

• Number of children applying for TCS

• School district where you reside (link here)

*Household size is defined as yourself, your spouse, your children or relatives who live with you and you financially support.

**Only State of IL residents are eligible to apply

If you did not file 2021 or 2022 taxes you will be asked to provide:

• Income must include ALL adult earners (18 years +). Sum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), w2, and/or 1099s for ALL adult earners for this application.

• Proof of Income will be required in Step 2. Use the income that you have documentation (1040, w2s, 1099) available for.

If you file taxes you will be asked to provide:

• Total all w2, 1099s, and benefits received in 2021 or 2022

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 2022 or 2021 1040 Federal tax Return

• Proof of Income will be required in Step 2.

If your 2022 income is significantly lower than your 2021, you should do the following:

• List your 2021 income on your application on page 3.

• Leave a note in the comment section on page 5 with your approximate 2022 income.

• File your 2022 Federal Tax Return for Application Step 2

• Name, birthdate, and grade for each student

• K-12 School of choice for each student

• If your child(ren) receive a Tax Credit Scholarship in the 22-23 School Year from Big Shoulders Fund or any other SGO, verification will be required for students awarded from another SGO.

• Indicate on your application if your student has disabilities, is an English Language Learner, and/or Gifted & Talented. Verification from the school will be required at a later date.

Due to limited funding for this program, not all applicants will be asked to complete Step 2.

The following documents can be used to establish residency:

• Drivers license or state ID

• Utility bill

• Lease/deed

• Proof of income document

STEP 2 OF THE APPLICATION IS TIME SENSITIVE. Applicants will have 10 DAYS to submit required information or the application will be denied.

Please be sure to submit all necessary documents to prove your income, household size, and residency. Failing to provide sufficient documentation will result in your application being declined. Failure to provide prior year tax credit scholarship documentation may forfeit Category 0 status.

We require proof of Income for all adults (18+ years)

IF YOU FILED TAXES:

• Page 1 of your 2021 or 2022 Federal Form 1040 tax return

IF YOU DID NOT FILE 2021 TAXES

• For ALL adults living in the household, provide a completed and signed Sworn Statement, available HERE, to verify non-filing status in 2021 and 2022.

• You must include proof of all income received by adult earners. Proof includes a W-2, 1099s, and/or letter from employer for cash earnings.

• You must include Proof of ANY Benefits received including SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security, unemployment, etc.

IF YOUR 2022 INCOME IS LOWER THAN YOUR 2021 INCOME

• If your 2022 income is significantly lower than your 2021, but your 1040 or income documents are not available, you should upload your 2021 1040 or income documents and include a comment that you wish to use your 2022 income; include the approximate 2022 income received.

• File your 2022 Federal Tax Return for Application Step 2 and upload no later than March 31, 2023