South Carolina families can receive $7,500 or more per child through the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program. That money covers curriculum, online learning platforms, tutoring, testing fees, and even a laptop. For the 2026-27 school year, the program is expanding to 15,000 students. By 2027-28, every SC family will qualify regardless of income. The award is one of the largest state education savings programs in the country, and roughly 10,000 students are already enrolled.
This guide breaks down who's eligible for the South Carolina education scholarship trust fund and how to apply. You'll learn what the money covers and which curriculum fits your budget. I've included specific product recommendations with real prices so you can plan before funds hit your ClassWallet account.
What the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund Covers
The ESTF gives qualifying families a per-student award to cover education expenses outside the traditional public school system. For the 2025-26 school year, that award is approximately $7,500 per child. The 2026-27 award will increase to roughly $7,634, based on the state's per-pupil funding formula.
Governor Henry McMaster signed Bill 62 in May 2025, expanding the program in two stages. For 2026-27, the income cap rises to 500% of the federal poverty level, which covers roughly 85% of South Carolina households. In 2027-28, the program becomes fully universal with no income limit at all. That makes South Carolina one of the most generous school choice states in the country.
To put the $7,500 award in perspective, a full year of print curriculum for one student typically costs between $200 and $500. An online learning subscription runs $100 to $250 per year. That leaves thousands of dollars for tutoring, technology, extracurriculars, and other approved expenses. Families with multiple children can combine their per-student awards into one substantial education budget.
Funds land in a ClassWallet account that parents use to purchase from approved vendors. Here's what the money can cover:
- Curriculum and textbooks (print and digital)
- Online learning programs and subscriptions
- Tutoring services
- Standardized testing fees
- Technology devices (capped at $1,500 every two years)
- Therapeutic services like speech and occupational therapy
- Extracurricular programs and educational field trips
You can't use ESTF funds for general household expenses, clothing, food, or anything purchased outside ClassWallet. Every transaction must go through an approved vendor on the platform. For the most current list of approved expenses, check the South Carolina Department of Education's ESTF page.
Who Qualifies for the SC ESTF in 2026-2027
Eligibility rules are straightforward. Your child must be a South Carolina resident entering or currently enrolled in grades K through 12.
For the 2026-27 school year, household income must fall at or below 500% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that's roughly $160,000. This threshold covers the vast majority of SC families.
Certain families receive priority during the application window:
- Households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level
- Active-duty military families
- Students leaving a public school to participate in the program
The 15,000-student cap for 2026-27 is a significant jump from the roughly 10,000 enrolled in 2024-25. Still, spots may fill quickly once the general enrollment window opens. Applying during the priority window gives families the best chance of securing a spot.
Your child cannot attend their assigned public school while receiving ESTF funds. The program creates its own "educate from home" legal status, which is separate from South Carolina's three traditional homeschool options (Options 1, 2, and 3). If you're currently registered under one of those options, you'll need to withdraw before joining ESTF.
For more on eligibility requirements, visit SC School Choice.
How to Apply and Key Deadlines
The ESTF application for the 2026-27 school year runs in three windows:
- Window 1 (returning students): November 1, 2025 to January 14, 2026
- Window 2 (priority applicants): January 15 to February 8, 2026
- Window 3 (general enrollment): Opens February 9, 2026 and remains open on a rolling basis until the 15,000-student cap is reached
Applications go through FACTS Management at ESTFSC.com. You'll need proof of South Carolina residency, your child's birth certificate, income documentation, and a withdrawal form if your child currently attends public school. The application also asks for your child's current grade level and your planned education setting. Most families complete the process in under 30 minutes.
After approval, expect a welcome email from ClassWallet in late spring or early summer. The first round of funds typically arrives in late July, before the school year begins. Once your account is active, you can browse approved vendors, add items to your cart, and submit purchase requests for review. Most orders are approved within a few business days.
If you run into issues during the application process, FACTS support is available at (866) 539-6359. For ClassWallet questions after approval, call (877) 313-1299.
What Educate from Home Means Under ESTF
The ESTF creates a fourth legal path for educating your child at home in South Carolina. This is entirely separate from the state's existing Options 1, 2, and 3 homeschool frameworks. If you currently homeschool under one of those options, you'll need to formally withdraw before participating in the South Carolina education scholarship trust fund.
Required subjects under ESTF are the same ones most homeschool families already teach: English language arts (including writing), mathematics, social studies, and science. You choose your own curriculum, set your own daily schedule, and teach at your own pace. The state does not mandate specific textbooks, programs, or a minimum number of school days. The flexibility mirrors traditional homeschooling, with the addition of annual testing and reporting requirements.
Testing requirements depend on your child's grade. For grades K through 2, you submit a progress report or portfolio showing your child's academic growth. For grades 3 through 12, your child must take a nationally standardized test each year and submit results to the South Carolina Department of Education. ESTF funds can pay for that required testing.
Some homeschool families have concerns about the reporting requirements tied to ESTF participation. The trade-off is straightforward: you gain significant funding, but you agree to annual assessments and state reporting that aren't required under Options 1, 2, or 3. Many families find the testing is similar to what they already do voluntarily, while others prefer the full independence of a traditional homeschool arrangement. It's worth weighing both sides before you commit.
For a full comparison of South Carolina's homeschool laws, the Home School Legal Defense Association's SC compliance guide is a helpful reference.
Building a Full Curriculum With Your ESTF Funds
This is where the program gets practical. With $7,500 per child, you can cover a full year's worth of curriculum, testing, and supplies with room to spare. ArgoPrep is an approved vendor on ClassWallet, so you can purchase workbooks, bundles, and online subscriptions directly through the platform using your South Carolina education scholarship trust fund balance.
Sample Budget for Two Students (2nd Grade and 5th Grade)
Say you're homeschooling a 2nd grader and a 5th grader. Between the two children, your combined ESTF award totals $15,000. Here's how you might spend it:
- 2nd Grade Ultimate Bundle (10 workbooks covering math, ELA, science, and social studies): $199.99
- 5th Grade Ultimate Bundle (10 workbooks covering the same four subjects): $199.99
- 12-Month K-8 Online Subscription for both children (video lessons, practice quizzes, and drills in math and ELA): $119.99 per child, $239.98 total
- Annual standardized testing fees: approximately $50 per child, $100 total
- A laptop for schoolwork (if needed): approximately $400
That brings your total to roughly $1,140 out of $15,000 in available funds. The remaining $13,860 can go toward tutoring, extracurricular programs, field trips, or therapy services.
Options by Grade Level
ArgoPrep's Ultimate Bundles cover every grade from PreK through 12th. Most bundles include 10 workbooks spanning all four core subjects. Prices range from $179.99 for PreK to $219.99 for 8th grade. High school bundles (9th through 12th) range from $99.99 to $249.99, depending on the grade and number of included workbooks.
If your child only needs extra practice in one subject, individual workbooks run between $14.99 and $19.99 each. For younger readers, the Kindergarten Reading Bundle includes eight books for $119.92.
Every ArgoPrep workbook comes with video explanations for each question. Your child can scan a QR code in the book to watch a short lesson when they get stuck. The workbooks are printed in the USA and typically arrive within 2 to 3 business days.
The 12-month K-8 online subscription is a separate product that pairs well with the print workbooks. It includes video lectures, practice quizzes, and drills in both math and ELA for any grade from kindergarten through 8th. Your child works through lessons at their own speed, and you can track progress through a parent dashboard. The subscription gives access to one grade level's content at a time, along with four digital workbooks (one per subject). Families who want both digital and print coverage can combine the online subscription with a grade-level bundle for full year-round practice.
Getting Started With South Carolina's ESTF Program
South Carolina's Education Scholarship Trust Fund puts $7,500 per child directly in parents' hands, with broad eligibility and minimal restrictions on curriculum spending. The program covers PreK through 12th grade, and with the 2027-28 expansion to universal access, even more families will qualify in the years ahead. If you haven't applied yet, check your eligibility and start the process at ESTFSC.com before the 15,000-student cap fills.
If you're already approved and building your curriculum plan, browse ArgoPrep's grade-level Ultimate Bundles through ClassWallet to cover all four core subjects at one predictable price per grade.
For families still exploring their options, ArgoPrep offers free 30-page worksheet packs for grades 1 through 7. They're a no-cost way to try the format before spending any ESTF funds.
The funding is real, the application window is open, and your child's curriculum plan can start taking shape today.
