AAA Scholarship Foundation

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AAA Scholarship Foundation Saves Nevada Students From Losing Scholarships

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AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA) has re-opened its 2023-2024 school year scholarship application for underserved Nevada students who were in jeopardy of losing their Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship and subsequently, would have been forced out of the educational setting that their families had chosen for them. We are honored to be able to serve these families and provide them with scholarships so that their children can continue to attend the schools that work best for them.

We have agreed to use our legally allowed scholarship reserves to fund the gap created by an oversubscription in the scholarship program while Governor Lombardo and the Nevada Legislature work together on their shared commitment to the current scholarship students that they will continue to have access to scholarship funding for the duration of their K-12 education.

In the prior Legislative Session, we asked the Legislature to increase the statutory tax credit cap for the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program (NECSP) from $6.65 million to $25 million due to the demand from economically struggling families for this life-saving initiative. According to recent reports, the overall enrollment in the NECSP last school year exceeded the current tax credit cap capacity by approximately $3.5 million and without additional funding there is insufficient capacity to continue to provide scholarships to all of the renewing students.

Reserve Funds: In prior years the Nevada Legislature allocated one-time bonus tax credits and all scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) were cautioned by the State to not utilize these monies in a way that would result in over enrollment of the program. In 2017, the Legislature passed legislation that required all organizations to budget their donations so that they could reasonably assure students would be funded until they graduated high school. And in fact, if SGOs did not comply, they would have to refund their donations to the state. The law that required SGOs to refund these monies was removed from law in a subsequent session. Although that specific legislation was ultimately amended, the caution not to oversubscribe the program from one-time bonuses remains.

Nevada Department of Education (NDE) and State Treasurers office provided guidance during a meeting with SGOs on 6/08/2017 that contributions from the one-time bonus credits be utilized in a fiscally prudent way in order to provide underserved students with educational continuity and to help ensure that the scholarship program remained fiscally viable over time. The NDE was also very clear to the SGOs about the dangers of oversubscribing the scholarship program with contributions from one-time bonus credits.

Dane and Vivianna ValentiWe have followed state guidance and law, as well as proper budgetary guidelines as mandated by the state of Nevada and retained a portion of one-time funds to reasonably assure our current students will have a scholarship for years to come by maintaining a reserve fund. The need to maintain a reserve fund was indisputable at the Interim Finance Committee (IFC) meeting on Wednesday. The NDE, the State Legislature and AAA believe it is crucial to prepare for budget emergencies and to ensure fiscal stability and educational continuity, which is why AAA has worked to reserve sufficient funding to allow our student population to remain relatively stable once the one-time bonus credits ended.

Issuing of tax credits: Under state law and regulations, this program’s tax credits are issued first-come, first-served by the Nevada Department of Taxation (DOT). We have always followed the application process according to the laws and regulations. This year, all SGOs were instructed by the DOT on 6/6/2023 that tax credit applications would only be accepted in-person or by mail beginning on 6/15/23 and that no emailed applications would be accepted. Accordingly, we and various other SGOs submitted the tax credit applications at the DOT office at 8:00am on 6/15/23 as instructed. We had no special knowledge of how the DOT would decide to prioritize the granting of credits to applicants.

In our experience from other states when demand for tax credits is over and above the supply, some program regulators have chosen to treat all applications received on the first day as first-come, first-served and prorate them accordingly. Other program regulators allow tax credit applications to be emailed (as the NV DOT has in the past), with one application attached per email, granting them in the order received. That process allows for a more random distribution of the limited supply of credits. We encourage the NV DOT to re-examine their current tax credit submission process in the future and to consider alternatives.

The legislature is responsible for the amount of funding available for scholarships, not AAA. Our mission is to provide educational opportunities for those who cannot afford them, and it saddens us that any child will face losing a scholarship and disrupting their education. However, we are not responsible for the lack of funding that the legislature has established for this program.

During the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session, the Legislature failed to pass a bill that would have increased the amount of tax credits available under this program, consequently reducing the number of low-income children that could receive scholarships from the $6.65 credit cap for this upcoming school year. The current tax credit cap is about $3.5 million below what is needed to serve all returning students and does not provide the opportunity for siblings to be served as well. At no time were we aware that three of the six approved SGOs did not have reserve funds as was directed by NDE.

Transferring students: As was provided previously to the NDE and to the IFC in written and spoken testimony on Wednesday, 8/9/2023, we had planned to accept a limited number of transferring students from other SGOs who wished to apply with us. The number of transferring students’ scholarships was limited as reserved funds must be maintained to ensure stable funding for our current students over time. At the IFC meeting, the committee indicated they did not want to see any eligible returning student denied funding and they committed to work in the future to assure there is always funding for current students. Members requested that AAA use the funds they reserved for their students’ future needs and provide scholarships for all eligible returning students this year. With this commitment from the committee, that they will assure current students will always have access to funding for the duration of their K-12 education, all interested transferring students can apply with us here: https://www.aaascholarships.org/parents/nevada/

It is important to know that the program will continue to be oversubscribed based upon the existing $6.65 million tax credit cap and we will hold the Legislature to their word that no eligible current student will ever lose their funding in the future.

We have always followed the guidelines and processes put in place by the state and diligently worked to be a fiscally responsible steward of our donors’ contributions. In fact, we have earned the Platinum Nonprofit Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. Additionally, because of our strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency, we have earned a Four-Star- Rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator. This is the highest possible rating and indicates that our organization is using our donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.

We look forward to working with the Legislature and Governor Lombardo to strengthen this life-saving program so the at-risk students that need other educational opportunities to thrive and succeed are served.

Click here for our press release

 

Che-Ollin Robles, Mia Contreras and Navianna Contreras

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Che-Ollin Robles, Mia Contreras and Navianna Contreras
Tucson, AZ

Having faced her own hardships in life, Isabel Lopez, a single mother of three, is determined to provide a better life for her children, including making sure they not only receive a quality education, but are in a safe learning environment surrounded by positive influences. Scholarships from the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA) made this goal possible.

Born in Tucson, Ariz., Isabel and her siblings were raised by a single mother on the southside of the city, an area where gangs were prevalent and negative influences had the power to derail the best of intentions.

“As much as I loved school growing up, I made some poor choices,” recalls Isabel. “I eventually found my path and became a nurse. I’ve now been in the medical field for 15 years. Being a nurse is definitely not for the faint of heart; however, I know for me, it’s a calling – it’s second nature.”

While Isabel braved the frontlines as a nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic, she worried about her children’s health and adjustment to remote school learning.

“Raising children during that time was not easy for anyone,” recalls Isabel. “Trying to keep everyone healthy, making sure my kids were able to stay on track with their education, and working to keep our household afloat financially…as the sole provider for my children, it was a scary time.”

Many of her concerns were alleviated when the children were able to return to in-person learning at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Casa Grande and she saw them blossoming in their learning environment. And with scholarships from AAA, the financial barriers Isabel faced were reduced and her children were given the chance to thrive in school.

“As a single parent on a limited income, I would not have been able to afford for my children to attend such a wonderful school without help or having to sacrifice my presence in my children’s lives by working several jobs,” says Isabel. “The AAA Scholarship Foundation has provided a much-needed resource for my family and countless opportunities for my children.”

Che-Ollin, the oldest of the siblings, became an honor roll student at Saint Anthony, where teachers took note of his respectful and well-mannered nature and his ability to easily make friends. His younger sister, Mia, also attended the school for kindergarten and first grade, while Navianna eventually joined her siblings at Saint Anthony through the preschool program.

After spending a couple of years in Casa Grande, Isabel and her children relocated back to Tucson. Thankfully, the move would not disrupt their educational progress – AAA scholarships are transferable to other eligible schools within the state, allowing Isabel to keep her children on scholarship at their new school, Saint Joseph Catholic School in Tucson.

“It was important to me that my children continue their education at a school that provides a positive and engaging environment – and that they are able to attend the same school together,” says Isabel. “Saint Joseph Catholic has been a great fit for our family. The school has a family-driven atmosphere – as well as wonderful leadership and teachers – which made the transition easier for my children.”

Che-Ollin completed 7th grade at Saint Joseph and hasn’t missed a beat. In addition to keeping up his grades, he participates in several sports, including basketball, volleyball and track. He also loves music – we are told he is quite the dancer – and is always there to fulfill his role as a great big brother to his sisters.

Equal parts silly and sweet, Mia is the middle child with a pure heart. She initially faced some challenges in school due to some learning difficulties, eventually being diagnosed with ADHD/ADD. However, her teacher provided the support she needed to work through her challenges and help her feel validated and engaged in the classroom. As a result, Mia finished out her second-grade year strong. She also joined the school’s Girl Scout troop, helping to further develop her skills both in and out of the classroom. In her free time, she loves to paint and draw – and even talks about becoming an artist or following in her mother’s footsteps to become a nurse.

Navianna, the youngest of the siblings, successfully completed kindergarten this year with support from her caring teachers who helped ease her transition to the new school. She has already developed into an excellent, task-oriented student and is always the first one to get started and complete homework at home. Like her sister, she also has developed a love for art and joined the Girl Scouts this year, allowing her to channel her caring nature and learn new skills.

“Because of those who support the AAA Scholarship Foundation, my children – as well as so many others – are able to flourish and become functioning members of society. Being able to see my children happy and growing in an environment that is right for them is priceless. Thank you for your generous gift to my family.”

 

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

Mia and Natalia Guzman

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Mia and Natalia Guzman
Tucson, AZ

Choosing the right academic setting for your child is one of the biggest decisions parents face. Curriculum, safety, environment and many other factors come into play. However, sometimes the neighborhood schools do not meet these needs or expectations, prompting parents to find alternative solutions. Such was the case for Artemisa “Artie” Leon and her husband Sean Guzman. AAA Scholarships helped to bridge financial gaps so their daughters Mia and Natalia could attend a school that was right for them. And when the family encountered struggles in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the scholarships gave them a peace of mind that their daughters’ education would not be disrupted.

The family’s story began at Davis Mountain Air Force Base; Sean was serving in the Air Force at the time and Artie was working as a civilian at the base. The pair eventually married and started a family, welcoming daughters Mia and Natalia. Sean finished his military service and transitioned to a career in the IT industry, while pursuing a degree in cyber security and business. When the time came for Mia to start Kindergarten, they realized that the schools in their local school district fell short of what they wanted for their children’s education.

“My mom always told me that one of the best gifts you can give your children is a good education, and that has stuck with me,” says Artie.

After doing some research, Artie and Sean found St. Joseph Catholic School. Aside from its convenient location to their home and work, St. Joseph’s academic programs and close, family-like environment matched up with the type of school they desired for their children. With the help from another financial aid program, the family was able to afford the tuition for Mia to attend St. Joseph.

Mia was enjoying a great start to her education until the Covid-19 pandemic hit the nation in 2020, forcing teachers and students to pivot to online learning and causing economic distress for many families. Artie and Sean both lost their jobs at one point during this time and they worried about the strain the school’s tuition would put on their already tight finances. However, scholarships from the AAA Scholarship Foundation enabled them to keep Mia – and eventually her younger sister Natalia – at St. Joseph.

Like many students, Mia struggled in the aftermath of the pandemic, causing her to fall behind in reading and math. However, once St. Joseph was able to welcome students back on campus, Mia’s teacher provided her with extra tutoring to get caught up.

“It was a challenging time for our family with financial and educational setbacks,” recalls Artie. “However, I am grateful that the AAA Scholarship gave us the ability to keep our daughter in a school readily equipped to help her overcome her challenges.”

Now rounding out her 4th grade year at St. Joseph, Mia has bloomed into a confident, happy and social child. She loves her art class and in the summer she puts her creativity to work playing guitar in mariachi.

Natalia has also enjoyed attending school at St. Joseph with her big sister. While she is naturally more shy and reserved, she has progressed quite a bit, going from a quiet student to a more confident one who is not afraid to ask questions. Currently finishing up her 1st grade year, she has developed a love for math – an area where she excels. During the summer, she also participates in mariachi and plays the violin.

St. Joseph has also helped to shape Artie’s next steps in her career. She is currently serving as a part-time teacher’s aide at the school while also pursuing a degree in creative writing and business at the University of Arizona.

“Because of the AAA Scholarship Foundation, we were able to keep our daughters in a school environment that they love and where they are receiving a quality education,” says Artie. “We are incredibly grateful for the assistance that the scholarships have provided for our family!”

 

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this spotlight.

Adam Dunand

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Adam Dunand
Miami, FL

Kindhearted, down-to-earth, and grateful are all words Tessie Molina uses to describe her youngest son, Adam Dunand – a ninth grader at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, a school he is attending with help from the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA).

“He’s a big teddy bear – everyone loves him,” says Tessie affectionately. “When he walks in, he lights up the room.”

Looking at pictures of Tessie and her three sons (Adam has two adult brothers), you can’t deny the bond they share. However, things have not been easy for this family. Several years ago, Tessie’s ex-husband (her sons’ father) left the family in financial turmoil – causing them to lose not only their house, but Tessie’s parents’ house as well. Left as the sole provider for her children, as well as the caretaker for her elderly mother, Tessie had to drain her 401k to provide housing for her family. Tessie, who has been teaching for 32 years, had to also take on a second job to keep her family afloat.

“My two oldest sons stepped in and would help take care of Adam while I worked my second job,” says Tessie. “It was a really tough time in our lives, but it made us stronger. And I think it brought my boys closer – they have a great relationship.”

At the time, Adam was an elementary student at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Miami, the same school that Tessie still serves as a first grade teacher. With so much turbulence going on in their lives, Tessie was determined to provide Adam with normalcy where she could – and keeping him in a school where he was thriving and surrounded by caring teachers was a top priority. Unfortunately, with her finances now limited, she was not sure how long she would be able to continue to afford the tuition. A scholarship from AAA provided the lifeline her family needed, enabling Adam to continue at St. Thomas and alleviating some of the financial stress.

“The AAA Scholarship Foundation provided me with a sense of security,” recalls Tessie. “I could finally breathe and say ‘my son is going to be okay’ and turn my focus on creating a better future for my children – and even for myself.”

The scholarship enabled Adam to remain at St. Thomas, where he graduated from the 8th grade in 2022, and continue onto Christopher Columbus High School (CCHS), an all-boys college preparatory school in Miami.

“CCHS is a great fit for Adam for many reasons,” explains Tessie. “The school has a great academic program that both challenges and accommodates his specific strengths, helping to prepare him for higher education and to serve as a leader in the community. But perhaps what makes this school such an important part of his life is that he is surrounded by positive male role models, something that is much needed, especially for those without father figures in their lives.”


Currently in the 9th grade, Adam maintains all A’s in his classwork while playing on the school’s lacrosse team. Instead of being jaded by the struggles their family went through, Tessie says that it has instead made Adam grounded and appreciative of the people in his life and the opportunities he receives. While we hope Tessie takes credit for raising a well-rounded young man despite the curveballs she was thrown, she acknowledges that having him in the right academic environment played a significant role.

“Everyone has a story and without the opportunity the scholarship gave us, our story would not have happened,” says Tessie. “During our struggles, the scholarship gave us hope. AAA Scholarship Foundation and its donors are helping to plant good roots, where children can thrive and grow and create wonderful futures. We are so grateful to the companies who make these opportunities possible for so many!”
About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

The Adema Family

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The Adema Family
Reno, NV
The Adema FamilyOne could say that Rebekah and Cole Adema were destined to help those in need. The couple met when they were both first responders – Rebekah working in law enforcement and Cole as a paramedic.

“In our line of work, we often encountered situations that showed us what a tremendous need there was for children to have advocates and to live in safe and loving homes,” recalls Rebekah. “In our hearts, we knew we were called to do something more to help. One of the first things we talked about when we got married was that we wanted to become foster parents – so that we could be advocates for those who can’t advocate for themselves.”

In a few short years, the Ademas have grown to a family of six, with them welcoming two biological children (now ages 1 and 4), as well as two adopted children – Tatiana and James (now ages 8 and 7). Biological siblings, Tatiana and James had a difficult start in life. Tatiana entered foster care when she was 7 months old, and her younger brother James was placed in foster care as a newborn. After enduring neglect and abuse from their biological mother, as well as their foster parents, the siblings were placed with the Ademas in the Spring of 2020 when Tatiana was in Kindergarten and James was in preschool. However, before they could begin to adjust to their new home, the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

“Within a short period of time, we became their parents, teachers – everything – all while trying to adapt to one another,” recalls Rebekah.

In addition to the trauma they experienced early in life, both Tatiana and James were born with a genetic condition that causes small stature and other developmental issues. By the time they came to live with Rebekah and Cole, both children were significantly delayed as no one had helped them with basic skills or educational resources to overcome their learning difficulties. Determined to get them the help they needed, the Ademas sought out assistance from professionals, including additional evaluations by a psychologist. Both professionals agreed that Tatiana and James should be retained in their current grade level to so that they could acquire the skills necessary to move forward in their education. However, when schools opened back up that fall and the Ademas presented their findings and concerns, the administration at the public school disagreed and insisted that the children continue to the next grade level.

“Almost immediately after starting first grade, Tatiana struggled,” says Rebekah. “She was so far behind academically and she recognized it, causing her to have a lot of anxiety and behavior issues.”

In contrast to their struggles with the school, the Ademas were making progress in the court system, and were able to officially adopt Tatiana and James in October 2020. Within hours of signing the adoption papers, Rebekah and Cole unenrolled Tatiana and James from their public school and enrolled them in The King’s Academy, a local private school that could better address their learning needs. And to ease their financial burden, they learned that both children were approved to receive tax credit scholarships from the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA).

Being placed in the right environment – both at home and school – has made all the difference in the world for Tatiana and James. Two years after finalizing their adoption and changing schools, Tatiana and James are thriving. The positive change the children have experienced is a direct result of the combined efforts by the Ademas and the King’s Academy teachers and administrators, as well as occupational and speech therapy.
Tatiana’s teachers work with her consistently to conquer her struggles, which in turn has boosted her confidence.

“She used to question her answers in class because she was so unsure of herself,” says Rebekah. “But thanks to her teachers, she now feels valued and has confidence in her capabilities. She has also learned how to communicate her feelings and frustrations in a better way, instead of shutting down and acting out.”

For James, conquering the little things are leading to big achievements. He has struggled with grip strength, which made writing a point of frustration for him. However, thanks to individualized help from his teachers, he is mastering his handwriting skills and setting new goals along the way.

The Ademas credit their progress to the those who have helped them along the way – including the caring staff at The King’s Academy and the AAA donors who made it possible for their children to learn in an environment where they could overcome their struggles and obtain the skills necessary to create a bright future.

“AAA Scholarship Foundation and its donors have given us a peace of mind and so much hope for our children’s future,” says Rebekah. “Receiving the scholarship lifted a huge weight from our shoulders and has created countless opportunities for our children. We are so grateful!”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 
AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this spotlight

10 Things to Consider in Arizona: AAA vs. ESA

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Are you trying to decide whether an AAA Tax Credit Scholarship or Arizona Education Savings Account is the best k-12 education funding solution for your family? Here are 10 things to consider before making a decision:

  1. What is the funding source of each Program?

AAA: AAA Tax Credit Scholarships are privately funded via donations to a non-profit organization = Small Government, Private Spending, Targeted Regulation

ESA: Arizona Education Savings Accounts are government funded via taxpayer dollars[1] = Big Government, Big Spending, Big Regulation

 

  1. What state department is responsible for Program Regulations?

AAA: The AZ Department of Revenue, a neutral, non-politically driven department regulates AAA Tax Credit Scholarships.

ESA: The Arizona Department of Education whose director actively worked to stop the program from going into effect[2] regulates ESAs.

 

  1. Who administers the day-to-day activity of the Programs?

AAA: AAA is a state-approved non-profit organization known as a School Tuition Organization (STO). AAA’s mission is to serve under-privileged families and promote the advancement of education. AAA is required to pass annual financial and compliance audits.

ESA: An unaccountable third-party for-profit company that is being sued by the state of Oklahoma for fraud and mismanagement of two scholarship programs[3] administers the ESA.

 

  1. What is the Program funding frequency?

AAA: AAA raises the private contributions to fund our 3-year Arizona tax credit scholarships before any awards are granted each school year.

ESA: The Arizona state legislature must debate, vote and pass bi-annual budget legislation to include funding allocations for ESAs. If funding is allocated, the ESA accounts are funded quarterly[4].

 

  1. What is the family reporting requirement?

AAA: Not applicable – families do not have to report scholarship payments to the state. AAA is responsible for all state reporting.

ESA: The parent (“Contract Holder”) must submit an itemized school invoice to the state’s third-party administrator[5].

 

  1. Which Arizona private k-12 schools can I choose from?

AAA: All qualified private schools are eligible. Payments are sent directly to the schools by AAA once the student has been verified as remaining enrolled. Click here for AAA’s AZ School Eligibility Flyer.

ESA: Qualified schools must be registered with state’s third-party administrator otherwise the parent/Contract Holder must pay out-of-pocket and then request reimbursement from the ESA personally. The Contract Holder must submit an itemized school invoice to the third-party administrator[6].

 

  1. Are there any specific subject matter requirements?

AAA: Private schools are responsible for ensuring appropriate subject matter is being taught to students. Families are free to move their children into any eligible private school that best fits their children’s educational needs. Click here to learn about three easy steps for selecting a school.

ESA: Contract Holders are responsible to prove to the State that at least a portion of the ESA funds have been expended to provide for an education in State-mandated subject matter[7].

 

  1. What about the family requirement for reporting of other types of expenditures?

AAA: Not applicable – AAA Tax Credit Scholarships may only be used for tuition at eligible private schools.     

ESA: Transaction receipts must be turned-in by the Contract Holder to the third-party administrator quarterly or after every 20 transactions. Transactions are subject to audit by the state for up to two years after the fact[8].

 

  1. What if we have no expenditures in a quarter?

AAA: Not applicable – AAA Tax Credit Scholarship payments are remitted to the schools on behalf of the students periodically throughout the school year.

ESA: If no spending occurs in a particular quarter, Contract Holders are required to attest in the ESA portal that no funds were spent[9].

 

  1. How are disallowed expenditures handled?

AAA: Not applicable – because AAA Tax Credit Scholarships may only be used for tuition at eligible private schools, there is no chance that a family could accidentally misspend funds.

ESA: Transactions are subject to audit by the State for up to two years after the fact. Disallowed expenditures must be repaid to the State by the Contract Holder. Any disallowed, misspent, or un-submitted expenses will be sent to the State Attorney General’s Office of Collection / Fraud for collection, fraud investigation, or both[10].

Ready to apply for an AAA Tax Credit Scholarship? Click here to access our online application.

Need more information before applying? Click here to learn everything you need to know about applying.

[1] https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2022/05/2022-2023%20ESA%20Program%20Handbook%20%28SBE%20Approved%204-29-22%29.pdf

[2]  https://twitter.com/kathyhoffman_az/status/1548412129044180994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548412129044180994%7Ctwgr%5E725917d326178b1d6d1a5e70c2f4a211ea6fa504%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fazfreenews.com%2F2022%2F09%2Fpublic-school-activists-telling-petition-signers-school-choice-program-has-no-oversight%2F

[3] https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22127910-classwallet-lawsuit

[4] https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2022/05/2022-2023%20ESA%20Program%20Handbook%20%28SBE%20Approved%204-29-22%29.pdf

[5] Ibid

[6] Ibid

[7] Ibid

[8] Ibid

[9] Ibid

[10] Ibid

 

Amariah Jones

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Amariah Jones
Savannah, GA

As the proud mother of three, Nikesha Bryant works tirelessly to provide for her children and make sure they have access to tools that will foster their growth and success. However, as her oldest daughter Amariah Jones was preparing to enter middle school, she began to worry about the lack of safe, quality educational options in their area. Like many growing areas, their hometown of Savannah, Ga., had seen an uptick in crime over the years, impacting the area youth and even trickling into some of the neighborhood schools, where metal detectors replaced open doors and education levels dwindled as students focused more on their safety than their test scores.

Amariah did well throughout her elementary school years as she was able to attend a school that provided a safe, nurturing environment that enabled her to thrive. However, the middle schools in their area were limited, with the location largely determining whether the school was able to provide a safe learning environment. Knowing the challenges Amariah would face in middle school if not placed in the right educational setting, Nikesha opted to utilize the public school system’s choice program and applied for several area public middle schools that she felt would be a good fit. However, student selections for the schools are based on a lottery system and, despite their best efforts, Amariah did not get a spot at any of their choice schools. Instead, her only option was to attend a middle school plagued with problems of student violence and poor academic performance.

Determined to find a more suitable school for her daughter, she began to investigate other educational options in their area and learned about the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA), which would enable Amariah to receive a tax credit scholarship to attend a private school of choice.
“When I received the approval letter from the AAA Scholarship Foundation, I was overjoyed and a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders,” recalls Nikesha. “The scholarship saved my daughter from a potentially disastrous situation and enabled her to receive a high-quality education in a safe learning environment.”

Now in the 10th grade at Calvary Day School in Savannah, Amariah is excelling thanks to the advanced curriculum that challenges her to go beyond her comfort zone and reach her full potential, which has resulted in her continually bringing home A’s. In addition to her hard work in the classroom, she has also taken advantage of the extracurricular opportunities at the school – such as cheer, basketball, color guard and band – enabling her to come out of her shell and stay engaged at school.

As Amariah continues to develop her skills and think about her future, Nikesha only hopes that she continues to pursue happiness while paving her own path to success. “I think being happy in school and surrounded by opportunity plays a big part in her being able to achieve her goals,” she adds.

As far as the AAA donors who made it possible for Amariah to have access to these opportunities, Nikesha is overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you giving my child an opportunity of a lifetime!” says Nikesha. “As a single parent with a limited income, you have provided an incredible resource for my family that would otherwise be out of reach: access to a high-quality education. Your support means that my child is not limited to attending a school that is unfit, and instead able to attend a school that can offer her countless opportunities. We are incredibly grateful to all those who make this possible!”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.
 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf version of this student spotlight.

Dereck Sandoval

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Dereck Sandoval
Reno, NV

“When times were hard, and it felt like every door was closed, the AAA Scholarship Foundation was there to remind me to remain hopeful, and to keep working hard as a single mother.” Those were the words spoken by AAA scholarship parent Karla Martinez four years ago – sentiments that remain true today.

Many of our readers may be familiar with Karla and her son, Dereck Sandoval, from a spotlight story in 2018. Now in the 8th grade, Dereck has continued to receive an education that meets his needs with help from an AAA Scholarship. Although Dereck has faced challenges over the years, having a mother who believes in him and a school family that provides support and opportunities to grow, has made all the difference.

Dereck turned 14 years old this year, but in hearing him speak, he exudes a quiet confidence and kindness that exceeds his age. Perhaps it is a strength he has inherited from Karla, a woman who has handled every challenge thrown her way with grace, strength and determination.

Their story began years before Dereck was born – nearly 20 years ago – when Karla made a bold decision to move from her home in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, all the way to Reno, Nevada. Although she would be leaving everything behind, she was determined to explore and search out new opportunities. She soon began a career in the healthcare industry as a medical biller and coder. As she continued to build her new life in the United States, she was able to fulfill another lifelong dream of becoming a mother when Dereck, her only child, was born. However, when Dereck was only 5 years old, his father left abruptly, leaving Karla to fulfill the roles of both mother and father alone.  Despite the tough road they faced, Karla remained determined to provide everything she possibly could for her son, even if it meant working long hours and making sacrifices along the way.

One thing she would not sacrifice was her child’s education. Before his father left, Dereck had already begun school at Little Flower Catholic School, a private school in Reno that Karla felt was a better fit than the public school he was zoned to attend, which was plagued with low ratings from the state due to poor performance.

“I feel that education is one of the best things that you can provide to your children and having a safe environment plays an important role in their development,” says Karla.  “I want to provide my child with the best education, but also, I want him to be in a safe and nurturing environment. The public school in our area was not able to provide that for him.”

With so much change occurring at home, Karla knew that she had to keep other areas of Dereck’s life as steady and secure as possible, including his

Dereck Sandoval in 2018 (4th grade)

educational environment. Little Flower served as an extension of their family, and she did not want to disrupt his education and well-being. Although finances were tough on a single income, Karla was able to scrape by and pay the tuition at Little Flower using money she had saved up. However, eventually she found herself at a crossroads, knowing that she would not be able to continue to afford Dereck’s tuition on top of their living expenses. However, just as she thought all hope was lost, she learned that they qualified for a tax credit scholarship from the AAA Scholarship Foundation, easing the financial burden and allowing Dereck to continue his education at Little Flower.

With the years flying by with a seemingly blink of an eye, Dereck is coming to the end of his middle school years and will be graduating from Little Flower soon and continuing onto Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in the fall of 2022. Reminiscing about Dereck’s school experience, Karla is grateful that her son was able to learn in a positive environment and receive an education that is preparing him for future success. The atmosphere at Little Flower inspired his love of learning – especially in the areas of social studies, literature and English – while also enabling him to be exposed to other activities and opportunities, such as theater and acting through the school’s Missoula program. Aside from his school activities, Dereck is also involved in the Boy Scouts, in which he has received several recognitions and merit badges.

“The AAA Scholarship Foundation and its donors provided a lifeline when we needed it the most,” says Karla. “Without your help, my son would not have had these same opportunities and I am not sure what things would have looked like for him otherwise. Thank you for supporting us through this journey. We are so grateful!”

We look forward to following Dereck’s journey as he continues to high school and beyond. Thank you to each and every one of our donors for making it possible for children like Dereck to access educational opportunities and gain hope for a promising future.

About AAA Scholarship Foundation
AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 
AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

Rylea and Kimber Sutter

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Rylea and Kimber Sutter
Buckeye, AZ

Residing in the desert on the outskirts of Maricopa County, Ryan and Amanda Sutter undoubtedly live a different lifestyle than those in the more developed areas of Arizona.  While not always easy, living in this region makes it possible for Ryan to fulfill his role with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and has also enabled the family to create additional income by farming alfalfa hay.  The couple shares three young daughters – Rylea (8), Kimber (7) and Joanna (5).  Their agricultural lifestyle has required them to be resourceful for many things, but thanks to scholarships from the AAA Scholarship Foundation they did not have to sacrifice their children’s education.

When their oldest daughter Rylea was preparing to enter Kindergarten, Ryan and Amanda were faced with the reality that they had very few school options in their area.  The closest public elementary school was 40 minutes away and, to make matters worse, the schools they had to choose from received low ratings by the Arizona Department of Education due to poor performance – an issue that plagued many of the schools in Maricopa County.  Knowing that Rylea – and eventually her younger siblings – would be spending a majority of their weekday hours in school and away from home, they worried the academic environment would not be suitable for their daughters.

“We want our children’s learning environment to be an extension of our home and our family, enabling them to thrive, to feel confident and to be guided on the right path,” says Amanda.  “Unfortunately, the school options we had available at the time were not able to provide that for them.”

Just as they were feeling trapped due to their geographical and financial limitations, they learned that there was an opportunity for their daughters to learn in an environment that was familiar to their family – Grace Fellowship Academy, the academic extension of their church.  Better yet, their family met the requirements to receive a tax credit scholarship from the AAA Scholarship Foundation, filling gaps in their income and enabling them to afford to send Rylea, and eventually her sister Kimber, to a school that was better aligned with their lifestyle and that met their expectations for a positive learning environment.

Now in the second grade, Rylea has blossomed at Grace Fellowship Academy, thanks to the close-knit atmosphere and small class sizes that enable her to feel comfortable and ask for help when needed.  For example, when she encountered struggles with reading, the one-on-one support she received helped her overcome that hurdle without causing her to fall behind or limiting the progression of the rest of her classmates.  Rylea, who is naturally a quiet and reserved child, has also risen as a leader in her class, winning a character award as well as a recurring spot on the principal’s list for her grades.

Kimber, currently in the first grade, is a vivacious member of her class and has developed a big love for reading, especially anything by Dr. Seuss.  “I really love going to the library and my STEAM class,” adds Kimber excitedly.

Amanda loves how the school cultivates a family-like environment and enables her to stay connected to her daughters’ education through clear communication between parents and teachers, as well as the ability to engage in the classroom through volunteer work.

“Being at a school that meets their needs has truly fostered a love of learning for my children,” says Amanda.  “They are eager to learn new things every day, and even come home and play ‘school’ with one another, re-enacting what they learned – which to me, demonstrates what an incredible, positive impact their teachers are having in their lives.”

Seeing her children thrive in school has also given her and her husband peace of mind.

“The AAA Scholarship Foundation has been a true blessing for our family,” says Amanda.  “I am in tears every year when we receive our approval letter for the scholarship because it relieves a huge amount of anxiety and worry, enabling our family to afford for our children to continue in an environment where they can thrive and grow and feel safe.”

And perhaps her biggest appreciation is for the AAA donors who made it all possible.
“We are so incredibly thankful for the generous companies that fund AAA Scholarships,” says Amanda.  “Please know that every dollar donated makes a difference, not only for our family, but for so many other families and future generations.  You are directly impacting children’s lives and their futures.  Thank you!”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure. 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

Georgia K-12 Education Tax Credit Program Expanded to $120 Million

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For Immediate Release

On behalf of the many families and students it serves, AAA Scholarship Foundation today offers sincere thanks to Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and Speaker David Ralston on the passage yesterday of HB 517, a bill that will increase the Georgia K-12 education tax credit program to $120 million from $100 million.  The legislation would also make permanent an increase to the program that was set to expire soon and expand the types of entities that can contribute to these important educational scholarships.

HB 517 will allow the AAA Scholarship Foundation to serve more families through critical needs-based scholarships and help these students accomplish their educational goals with greater success.  “I am deeply grateful for the work that Governor Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly have done by continuing to invest in student excellence and to give families educational options.  We are especially grateful for the efforts of Representative John Carson and Senator Chuck Payne who sponsored the legislation and helped it to receive final passage,” said Kim Dyson, President of AAA Scholarship Foundation.

“I am very proud of my fellow lawmakers in approving an increase in Georgia’s tax credit scholarship program. Under HB 517, more families will be able to choose the school that best meets their child’s needs, Georgia taxpayers will be able to contribute more per family, and the state will have increased transparency, disclosure and cost savings.  Truly a win for everyone, especially Georgia’s kids in need of educational opportunities”” said bill sponsor Rep. John Carson.

HB 517 has been transferred to the Office of Governor Brian Kemp and is awaiting signature.  For more information on AAA Scholarship Foundation, please visit https://www.aaascholarships.org/.

Click here for a pdf of this press release