Homeschoolers Helping Homeschoolers
​Expanding Home-Based Education in Utah

Changes to the HB455 - Utah Fits All Scholarship Program
​​House Bill 455 introduces several key adjustments to the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program
Increased Enrollment Opportunities:
​HB455 adjusts scholarship amounts for home-based families, enabling more students to enroll and benefit from enhanced educational funding.
  • Home-Based Scholarship Students (Ages 5–12): $4,000 award
  • Home-Based Scholarship Students (Ages 13–18): $6,000 award
  • Full-Time Private School Students: $8,000 award
While these adjustments are not our initial preferences, they reflect a concerted effort to extend support to a broader range of families in a tight budget year and achieve our goal of a universally funded ESA program. 

Expense Caps on Extracurricular and Physical Education Activities
  • 20% Cap on Each Category:
    The bill imposes a 20% cap on both extracurricular and physical education expenses. Initially, these expenses were combined under one cap, but the sponsor successfully separated them—effectively doubling the previously proposed combined cap. This change helps ensure that funds are allocated appropriately while still providing families with flexibility.

Rollover Program for Flexibility
  • Carry-Over Mechanism:
    Families can now roll over unused funds at a 2:1 ratio, which enhances financial flexibility and contributes to future awards.
    Example: If you have $600 remaining, $400 will roll over to the next academic year, while $200 returns to the fund to support additional students.
    This feature encourages prudent spending over time and helps create a continuous revenue stream for the program.

Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Restricted Account
  • Dedicated Investment Fund:
    A special account is established—the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Restricted Account—to ensure that any unspent scholarship dollars are invested and accrue interest.
    • Benefits:
      • Increases the overall pool of funds available for educational expenses.
      • Creates an ongoing revenue stream, particularly valuable during tight budget years.
        This pragmatic approach to financial stewardship helps sustain and potentially grow funding for future educational needs.

2025 Appropriation Impact
  • New Funding Commitments:
    Many programs face budget cuts this year but we are pleased that NEW funding for Utah Fits All remains a top priority. Although it may not be as substantial as initially hoped, it will move families from the waitlist into the program. 
    ​
Projected Impact:
The changes to HB455, combined with the new appropriation, could potentially extend funding to an estimated 6,000 additional home-based education students.

Navigating the Legislative Process
  • Balancing Ideals with Feasibility:
    Legislating often requires a compromise between ideal outcomes and practical solutions. Our sponsors have steadfastly advocated for the home-based education community, even in the face of pressures from anti-school choice movements.
    • Bipartisan Support:
      • The House embraced these changes in a bipartisan fashion, underscoring a shared commitment to improving educational opportunities.

As homeschoolers, we have a tradition of resilience and adaptability. By embracing these developments, we continue to support one another and strengthen the foundation of home-based education in Utah.

We are Homeschoolers Helping Homeschoolers!
Together, we can make the best of these changes and look forward to future advancements.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Support the 2025 Appropriation Request https://endthewaitlist.org/