Frequently Asked Questions

What is STAY?

Incorporated in 1999, School Tuition Association of Yuma, Inc. (STAY) is an AZDOR certified Corporate STO (School Tuition Organization) and is a tax-exempt charitable organization pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ( EIN #86-0947351 ) Our mission is to give the opportunity to attend a private school to more children by effectively implementing the provisions of the Arizona Private School Tuition Tax Credits.

How can my student(s) receive a tuition scholarship?

You will need to fill out a Student Application in order for your student(s) to be eligible for a scholarship. The application window is March 1 of the "prior" school year thru February 28 of the "current" school year. Example: an application submitted on February 15th, 2024, will be considered for the 2023/2024 school year, but an application submitted on March 15th, 2024, will be considered for the 2024/2025 school year.

Failure to submit an application timely could prevent your child from being considered for a scholarship. All forms required by the application must be submitted to have met the application requirement. We recommend submitting the application prior to the start of the school year in which you are requesting a scholarship but not before July 1 of that school year.

What if my student is receiving or has received ESA funds?

A student that receives ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account) money from the Arizona Department of Education cannot receive any funds from an STO for the same time period. A student may utilize an STO scholarship up to the start of ESA funding; or if the ESA contract has been canceled STO scholarships can be utilized after contract cancellation, presuming there is a tuition need. Once ESA funding begins, any outstanding STO scholarship money must be refunded by the private school to the STO.

NOTE: If your student is transferring from ESA funds, that transfer qualifies them to receive STO funds. Use the Transfer Verification Form found on our website under Forms (must include an official ESA account termination letter from the Department of Education), and include the Transfer Verification Form with your STAY application.

How can I contribute?

Individual Donors:

• 1. You can fill out a paper donation card and enclose a check or you can donate with a credit card online by clicking here.
• 2. You can recommend a school or a student as long as the student is not your dependent.
  • While STAY accepts recommendations, we do not guarantee the recommendation will be followed. The final decision on any scholarship is at the sole discretion of the STAY Board of Directors.

Corporate Donors:

• The state requires a specific process in submitting the Application for Approval for the Corporate Income Tax Credit. Please follow the steps provided.
  • 1. Contact STAY with the amount of donation you wish to make as well as any recommendations.
    • You can recommend a school, group of schools or provide no recommendation at all. 
    • While STAY accepts recommendations, we do not guarantee the recommendation will be followed. Some schools do not have enough qualified students for us to meet the 90% required by law. In such cases, we will use the funds to assist additional schools.
  • 2. We will submit the application to Arizona Department of Revenue following the guidelines provided by them.
  • 3. AZDOR has 20 days to respond. The request will be approved if there is still credit available under the annual state cap.
  • 4. STAY will notify you of the state's response.
  • 5. If approved, you have 20 days to provide a check to STAY and for STAY to notify the state of receipt of donation. 
    • Failure to meet the 20-day guideline will forfeit the approval and the application process must be repeated.

How often are scholarship awards distributed?

We issue scholarships throughout the year as funds come available. We typically issue the first round of scholarships for the school year in late July or early August. The last scholarship must be issued before the last day of the school year.

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