How to apply

Ask your child's school whether it's a CEN partner. If it isn't, recommend it and we'll reach out. Then run the eligibility checker. It takes a minute and shows the limit for your county.

Applications open after January 1, 2027. Windows vary by school and by state, and we post them as they become available. Sign up and we'll email you when yours opens.

1. 1Create your family account. One account for the whole household. Both parents can sign in. You'll need an email address and a phone number.
2. 2Add your children. Name, date of birth, grade for the coming year, and the school.
3. 3Tell us about your household. Who lives with you and who earns income. This sets your household size for the income limit.
4. 4Upload income documents. We'll show you which route applies: your federal return, W-2s or paystubs for every earner, or proof that someone in the household takes part in a needs-based program. Foster children need no income documents.
5. 5Submit and track. Your status updates in your account and you'll get an email at each step. When your school's window closes, awards are made under the priority rules and paid to your school.

These routes follow Treasury's June 2026 preview. The final rules could add or change some. (Source: Treasury guidance preview, June 2026)

We store documents encrypted, share them with no one outside CEN, and tell your school only whether your child has an award and how much. See How we protect your information.

Example. The Thompsons have two children at a CEN partner school: one entering 3rd grade and one entering 7th. Both parents work. In early 2027 they create one account, add both children and list four people in the household. They haven't filed their 2026 return yet, so they tell us and we explain what to send instead. Once they file, they upload the full return. They check their status in the account and get an email when awards are made.

The next year they apply again with 2027 income. Both children received scholarships the year before, so they're in the first priority group. (Source: §25F(d)(1)(D))

Application windows vary by school. Your account shows your school's dates and your status at each step.

• We check your income. The law requires it for every applicant, every year. We may ask for one more document. (Source: §25F(d)(1)(F))
• We make awards. Returning students come first, then their brothers and sisters, then everyone else who's eligible. (Source: §25F(d)(1)(D))
• You accept the award. You may be asked to confirm that no other award pays for the same cost. Treasury has floated this as a safeguard. (Source: Treasury guidance preview, June 2026)
• If funds run short. Not every eligible student may receive a scholarship in a given year. Your school may have its own aid, and more awards may follow if more donations come in.

• You haven't filed last year's return yet. Early in the year, many families haven't. Tell us, and we'll tell you what to send instead.
• You're self-employed. Send your full return with every schedule.
• You share custody. Treasury hasn't said which household counts. Tell us your setup before you upload anything.
• You're raising a relative's child. You apply as their household. A child in foster care meets the income test automatically. (Source: Treasury guidance preview, June 2026)
• Your child isn't enrolled yet. You can apply first. Your school confirms enrollment before any payment.
• You move after applying. Tell us right away. Money raised through one state's list funds students in that state only. (Source: §25F(c)(3))

Recommend it. We contact the school and tell you when it joins. Application windows open once a school is on board.

• Sending one parent's documents when both earn.
• Uploading a tax return with pages or schedules missing.
• Leaving someone off the household list.
• Sending photos that are cut off or hard to read.
• Waiting until the last days of your school's window.
• Not telling us about a move or a custody change after you apply.

You apply again each year, with the new year's income. Returning students and their brothers and sisters get priority, so renewing on time matters. CEN sends renewal reminders before your school's window. (Source: §25F(d)(1)(D))