Policy Pulse | Updates on Catholic School Policy

Across the country, Catholic schools are working hard to grow enrollment while staying financially sustainable. Many have implemented tuition assistance programs, secured generous donors, and even tapped into school choice policies like Tax Credit Scholarships or Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Yet, despite these efforts, enrollment growth often lags behind expectations.

The passage of the Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA) has opened a historic door for Catholic education in the United States. For the first time, a federal tax credit will be available to donors who contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which then provide tuition assistance to families seeking a quality K–12 education for their children. For Catholic diocesan leaders and principals, this is not simply about funding—it’s about using a powerful new tool to advance the mission of Catholic education, grow enrollment with purpose, and secure financial sustainability for generations.