What does a school need to participate in the Choice Scholarship?
It must be an Indiana elementary or high school that charges tuition, agrees to enroll Choice students, is accredited by the State Board of Education or a recognized national or regional accreditor, gives the statewide assessment and reports performance data for an accountability category. Charter schools cannot participate.
How does a new school apply in 2026?
Through the LINK Portal: from 2026 the Choice school application is digital. The school first needs an identification number from IDOE's Office of Accountability, then requests LINK access.
How is the school paid?
IDOE pays the school the lesser of the student's reported tuition and fees or the district amount for the student's home district, for period-one students approved March 1 to September 1 and half that for period two.
Can a Choice school also take ESA and SGO money?
Yes, but each is separate: a Choice school must apply to become an ESA participating entity, and it partners with an SGO by agreement with that organization.
| Choice | SGO | ESA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the school joins | LINK Portal application | Agreement with the SGO | Participating-entity application |
| Accreditation needed | Yes | Yes | Yes, as a qualified school |
| Who pays the school | IDOE | The SGO | ClassWallet, on the parent's approval |