Income Eligibility for Wisconsin Choice Programs
Eligibility for Wisconsin's school choice programs is primarily based on your family's income and residency. This page explains how to determine whether your household qualifies for the Milwaukee, Racine, or Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs—or the Special Needs Scholarship Program.
📌 Step 1: Know Your Household Size
Count all people living in your home who share financial resources. This includes:
- Parents (biological, adoptive, step-parents, or legal guardians)
- Children under age 18 or still in high school
- Other dependents claimed on your federal taxes
💵 Step 2: Know the Income Limits
The programs use your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your federal tax return. Limits vary slightly by program:
- Milwaukee & Racine Programs: Families must earn ≤ 300% of the federal poverty level.
- Wisconsin Parental Choice Program: Families must earn ≤ 220% of the federal poverty level.
- Special Needs Scholarship Program: Income is not a qualifying factor—eligibility is based on disability status and IEP documentation.
📄 Step 3: Proof of Income
Most families provide the first two pages of their most recent federal tax return. If you didn’t file taxes, DPI allows alternative documentation like:
- W-2s from each employer
- 1099s or unemployment statements
- Proof of child support, Social Security, or other income
If you're unsure how to prove income, contact our team for guidance.
🧮 Need an Estimate?
Here’s a rough guideline based on household size for the 2025–2026 school year (rounded to nearest hundred):
- 2-person household: ~$62,000 (MPCP/RPCP), ~$45,000 (WPCP)
- 4-person household: ~$93,000 (MPCP/RPCP), ~$67,000 (WPCP)
- 6-person household: ~$124,000 (MPCP/RPCP), ~$89,000 (WPCP)
Exact thresholds are based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines and published by DPI each year.
📥 Let Us Help
VCA Virtual is here to walk you through the income eligibility process step by step. Whether you’re preparing documents or not sure which program you qualify for, we’re happy to help.
Reach out anytime: Request Information.