Can a Des Moines family get an STO grant and an ESA at the same time?
Yes. The Diocese of Des Moines states that an ESA does not reduce a Student Tuition Organization grant, and families can receive both if they meet the STO income limit.
In practice the STO grant covers part of what remains after the ESA, which matters at schools whose tuition is above $8,148.
Which STOs serve schools in the Des Moines metro?
Each school belongs to an STO. Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines are served by the Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO), and Des Moines Christian School is represented by the Heart of Iowa STO. Other schools name theirs in the financial aid section of their admissions process.
Ask the school which STO it uses, the application date and which tax return the income check relies on.
How are STO tax credits limited?
Donors receive an Iowa tax credit equal to 75 percent of the gift, and the Department of Revenue rule caps all STO credits statewide at $20 million a year, divided among STOs by the enrollment of their member schools.
What School Tuition Organization is and isn't
| It is | It isn't |
|---|---|
| A need-based grant through the school's STO | A state program with one statewide application |
| Combined with an ESA | Reduced because a family has an ESA |
| Limited to households at or below 400% of poverty | Open to every income |