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Utah’s program for providing financial assistance to students with disabilities

A Complete Guide to the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship

The Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship (CSOS) is a pivotal program in Utah, designed to provide financial assistance to students with disabilities, enabling them to access private education or homeschooling tailored to their unique needs. Administered by the Children First Education Fund (CFEF), the CSOS program aims to empower parents with the choice of selecting educational environments that best support their children’s development. This article delves into the qualification requirements for students applying for the CSOS, offering a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.

Background of the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship

Established through legislative action, the CSOS program represents a merger of the legacy Carson Smith Scholarship and the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship. This consolidation, enacted by the 2024 Utah State Legislature, was designed to streamline resources and provide a unified support system for students with special needs. The CFEF oversees the administration of this combined program, ensuring that eligible students receive the necessary financial support to pursue appropriate educational opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To qualify for the CSOS, applicants must meet specific criteria that encompass residency, age, disability status, and educational placement. The following outlines these essential requirements:

  1. Utah Residency: The student and the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian must be a resident of Utah.
  2. Age Requirement: Eligible students must be between the ages of 3 and 21, corresponding to preschool through 12th grade.
  3. Disability Status: Applicants must have a documented disability as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes a range of disabilities such as autism, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, orthopedic impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, traumatic brain injury, visual impairments, and other health impairments.
  4. Special Education Eligibility: The student must qualify for special education and related services in public schools. This determination is made through an evaluation process conducted by a Local Education Agency (LEA), known as an Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a multidisciplinary team, in accordance with IDEA guidelines.
  5. Educational Placement: Applicants should be enrolled or have intentions to enroll in a qualifying private school or be identified as homeschool students. For private school attendees, the chosen institution must be approved by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) as a qualifying school. Homeschool students must provide verification of withdrawal from public school at the time the scholarship is awarded.
  6. Non-Participation in Other Scholarship Programs: Students receiving funds from the legacy Carson Smith Scholarship Program or the Utah Fits All Scholarship are ineligible to receive the CSOS simultaneously. Applicants must choose between these programs to avoid dual enrollment conflicts.

Application Process

The application process for the CSOS involves several critical steps to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met and properly documented:

  1. Submission of Application: Parents or legal guardians must complete and submit the CFEF scholarship application annually. This applies to new applicants, continuing students, and those transitioning from the legacy Carson Smith program. The application form is accessible through the CFEF website.
  2. Documentation of Disability: Applicants are required to provide official documentation verifying the student’s disability. This typically includes evaluations and eligibility determinations conducted by an LEA or a qualified multidisciplinary team, aligning with IDEA standards.
  3. Proof of Income: Since scholarship awards are influenced by family income levels, applicants must submit relevant financial documents. Acceptable forms of proof include the most recent federal tax return (IRS Form 1040), W-2 forms, 1099 forms, or recent pay stubs dated within the past 60 days. These documents assist in determining the scholarship amount based on the family’s financial situation.
  4. School Enrollment Verification: For students planning to attend a private school, the selected institution must confirm the student’s enrollment or intent to enroll. This verification is necessary before scholarship funds are disbursed. Homeschool students must indicate their homeschooling status on the application and verify withdrawal from public schooling.
  5. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The application requires disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest. Specifically, students are ineligible for the scholarship if their parent or legal guardian is an administrator at the qualifying school they plan to attend, or if the parent or guardian, or a relative thereof, holds a position as an officer or board member of the CFEF.

Scholarship Award Determination

The CSOS program allocates scholarship funds based on a combination of factors, primarily focusing on the student’s special education needs and the family’s financial status:

  1. Special Education Service Level: Scholarship amounts are influenced by the extent of special education services required by the student. Students needing more intensive services may qualify for higher scholarship amounts to accommodate the increased costs associated with their education.
  2. Family Income Level: The program prioritizes support for families with greater financial need. For the 2025-2026 academic year, students from families earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible for higher scholarship amounts. Specifically, approved students within this income bracket receive a scholarship of $11,685, while those above this threshold receive $9,348. Preschool students may receive a scholarship of $4,674 for full-day or $2,337 for half-day.

Prioritization and Fund Allocation

Given the finite nature of available funds, the CSOS program follows a structured prioritization process when awarding scholarships. If the number of applicants exceeds the available funding, the CFEF uses a tiered system to allocate scholarships:

  1. Renewing Students – Students who received the scholarship in the previous academic year and continue to meet eligibility requirements are given first priority.
  2. Students from Low-Income Families – New applicants from families earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level receive priority after renewing students.
  3. Other New Applicants – If funds remain available after serving the first two categories, students from families exceeding the income threshold are considered.

This structured approach ensures that students with the greatest financial need and those already benefiting from the program are served first.

Responsibilities of Scholarship Recipients

Families awarded the CSOS scholarship must comply with specific requirements to maintain eligibility throughout the school year:

  • Compliance with Enrollment and Attendance Policies – Scholarship recipients must remain enrolled in the qualifying private school or homeschooling program for which the scholarship was awarded. Any changes in educational placement must be reported to the CFEF.
  • Academic Progress Monitoring – While private schools set their own academic requirements, families should ensure that students are making adequate progress. Parents of homeschool students are responsible for demonstrating ongoing educational engagement.
  • Annual Reapplication – Since the CSOS is not automatically renewed, families must reapply each academic year and submit updated documentation to confirm continued eligibility.

Failure to adhere to these responsibilities may result in the suspension or revocation of the scholarship.

Impact of the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship

The CSOS program plays a crucial role in expanding educational opportunities for students with disabilities across Utah. By providing financial assistance, the scholarship allows parents to select schools or homeschool environments that best accommodate their child’s unique learning needs. Some key benefits include:

  • Customized Educational Support – Students can attend private institutions that specialize in special education or adopt personalized homeschooling approaches.
  • Increased Parental Choice – Families gain greater flexibility in selecting programs and curricula that align with their child’s specific challenges and strengths.
  • Enhanced Academic and Social Outcomes – Many scholarship recipients experience improved educational outcomes, better social integration, and access to specialized support services that may not be available in traditional public schools.

Conclusion

The Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship, administered by the Children First Education Fund, provides a vital pathway for Utah students with disabilities to access quality education beyond the public school system. Through its well-defined eligibility criteria and structured funding approach, the program ensures that families have the resources necessary to pursue appropriate learning environments for their children.

For parents considering applying for the CSOS, understanding the qualification requirements and following the application process carefully is essential. By doing so, they can maximize their chances of receiving financial assistance that empowers their child’s educational journey.

For the latest updates on application deadlines and funding availability, parents and guardians should visit the official Children First Education Fund website (cfe-fund.org) and review the most recent scholarship guidelines.

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