Utah Fits All Scholarship: Complete Parent Guide

The Utah Fits All Scholarship (UFA) gives every Utah K–12 family up to $8,000 per year in state funds to use on the education that works best for their child — private school, microschool, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, technology, and more. Every student is eligible, regardless of income, zip code, or current school.

This guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility requirements, award amounts, approved expenses, how to apply, and key deadlines for 2026–27, from the organization that championed the law that created the program.

What Is the Utah Fits All Scholarship?

The Utah Fits All Scholarship (UFA) is an Education Savings Account (ESA) program that gives Utah families state funds to spend on the education that works best for their child, instead of being locked into their assigned public school. You can read more about school choice in Utah here. 

Think of it as a flexible account loaded with state dollars. You decide how to spend it: private school tuition, microschool fees, tutoring, curriculum, educational technology, and more. The money follows the child, not the institution.

Every K–12 student in Utah is eligible to apply, regardless of income, current school, or where they live. 

Libertas Institute championed the legislation (HB215, 2023) that created the program.

How Much Money Is Available in the Scholarship?

The Utah Fits All Scholarship provides the following annual amounts based on student type:

Student type	Annual amount
Private school or microschool students	$8,000/year
Home-based learners, ages 5–11	$4,000/year
Home-based learners, ages 12–18	$6,000/year

You can roll over up to two-thirds of unspent funds each year, so the scholarship can build up over time.

You cannot hold both the Utah Fits All Scholarship and full-time public school enrollment simultaneously, unless the class is paid for by the scholarship. But generally speaking, accepting the scholarship means opting out of public school for funding purposes. Starting in 2026–27, scholarship recipients can participate in public school athletics and extracurriculars.

How to Apply

1. Check the application window. Applications open each spring. For 2026–27: renewals opened March 1, new applicants April 1, window closes April 30. Missing the window means waiting another year.

2. Create an account with Odyssey. Odyssey is the current program administrator. Go to their application portal and create a parent account using the email address you want for all scholarship communications.

3. Gather your documents. You’ll need: proof of Utah residency (utility bill or mortgage statement), your child’s birth certificate, Social Security numbers for parent and student, and income documentation if applying for a priority tier.

4. Submit your application. Fill in parent and student details, upload your documents, and select your student’s learning type (private school or home-based). Award decisions are sent within 30 days of the application deadline.

5. Enroll in your chosen educational setting. If awarded, unenroll your child from their current public school before accepting the scholarship. Then enroll in your chosen private school, microschool, or begin your home-based program.

6. Submit your annual portfolio to renew. Home-based learners must submit a portfolio by May 31 each year through the Unrulr platform. This is a brief description of educational activities, samples of student work, or assessment results. No minimum scores required.

What Can You Spend It On?

Approved expenses

• Private school or microschool tuition
• Tutoring services
• Individual classes or courses
• Virtual school programs
• Curriculum and textbooks
• Educational software and apps
• Computer hardware (once every three years)
• Standardized testing and certification fees
• Arts and music instruction (capped at 20% of scholarship)
• Physical education programs (capped at 20% of scholarship)
• Transportation up to $750/year
• Special education services and therapies
• Summer education programs
• Tuttle Twins

Not covered

• General clothing, food, or unrelated furniture
• Expenses at a public school (unless it is an approved UFA provider)
• Items unrelated to education
• Ski passes or recreational activities not tied to academic instruction

Priority Order When Applications Exceed Funding

The 2026–27 program is funded at $120 million. If applications exceed available funding, scholarships are awarded in this priority order:

1. Current scholarship holders renewing
2. Siblings of current scholarship students
3. Families at or below 300% of the federal poverty level
4. All other applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

My child attends public school. Can I still apply?

Yes. Any K–12 Utah resident may apply regardless of their current school. If awarded, you must unenroll from public school before accepting the scholarship, you cannot receive both public school funding and the UFA scholarship simultaneously.

Is the Utah Fits All program still active despite the lawsuit?

Yes. A lawsuit was filed by the teachers’ union in 2024. As of January 2026, the Utah Supreme Court has allowed the program to continue operating while the case proceeds. The legislature passed the law with a referendum-proof supermajority. Libertas Institute continues to monitor and defend the program.

Can I use the scholarship for a microschool?

Yes. Microschools that are approved UFA providers qualify. Select the “private school” option when applying. The scholarship covers up to $8,000/year for qualifying microschool tuition and fees.

We’re already homeschooling. Can we get the scholarship?

Yes. Select “home-based” when applying. You’ll receive $4,000 (ages 5–11) or $6,000 (ages 12–18) per year and must submit an annual portfolio to renew.

What if there aren’t enough scholarships for everyone?

Awards are prioritized in the order listed above. Current recipients renewing have first priority. The 2026–27 fund is $120M, the largest yet.

Can I roll over unused funds?

Yes. Up to two-thirds of unspent funds can roll over to the following year. This allows the scholarship to accumulate over time for larger purchases like curriculum sets or educational technology.

How do you homeschool in Utah?

Learn everything you need to do to homeschool in Utah here. 

Author: Jon England is the Senior Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District’s E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools his children with his wife.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006.

During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.

Published: May, 2026