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We have great news to share! For a second year in a row the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program will receive a significant increase in the ongoing appropriation.
Earlier this legislative session, we reported that Senator Kirk Cullimore had submitted a Request for Appropriation (RFA) for new funding of Utah Fits All to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. We also shared that the committee then forwarded their recommendation of $40 million on to the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) for consideration.
On February 28, the EAC met and released their proposed funding recommendations..png?upscale=true&upscale=true&width=620&height=88&name=See%20Line%20216%20%E2%80%94%20Utah%20Fits%20All%20Scholarship%20Enhancement%20(1).png)
Utah Fits All has been appropriated an additional $40 million in ongoing funding! However, $20M of that amount is being held back for one year, meaning $20M will be allocated for the 2025-26 school year and the full $40M for the 2026-27 school year. This is very exciting news and a good strategy for securing ongoing funding!
We want to express our gratitude to the many voices who have advocated for increased funding, but especially Senator Kirk Cullimore. Senator Cullimore has been a dedicated champion in advocating for additional appropriations, starting with the 2024 legislative session. This year he worked tirelessly to secure new monies to serve the thousands on the Utah Fits All waitlist. UEFA appreciates the opportunity to work alongside the Senator in expanding and advocating for the program.
There are a few more steps in the process, but we are fairly confident the funding will hold. The EAC meets one more time this week before the appropriations bill or “Bill of Bills” is sent to the House and Senate to be voted on.
The reduction in home-based scholarship amounts under H.B. 455 Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments frees up additional scholarships within the existing $80M appropriation. Combined with the new appropriation, this will significantly increase the number of scholarships awarded over the next two years. A total of 17,270 students were on the waitlist for the 2024-25 school year. Those applicants, along with many new families applying for the first time, now have a much greater hope that their children will find their perfect fit in education with the help of a Utah Fits All Scholarship.
This increase in funding is cause for celebration!