Once again, Children First: School Choice Trust is offering grants to low income families in Ontario who feel their children would benefit from attending a private school.

Awarded based solely on financial need, Children First grants provide funds to cover half the cost of tuition at any private school in Ontario, up to a maximum of $4,000.

“I didn’t feel my children were doing well in the public school system and I needed to find an alternative,” said Helena Duck, whose four children have been receiving grants since 2004. “Children First gave us the option to choose and allowed us to find a school that matched our children’s needs.”

Tuition at private schools participating in the Children First program ranges from $650 to $24,175 per year. The average tuition at schools chosen by Children First families is $5,020 and the average grant is just over $2,351.

Once a family is awarded a grant, they can choose which private school their child will attend, including Montessori, Waldorf, arts, academic and special needs schools.

“Private school education offers families many choices, and our program helps make those available to parents who may not otherwise be able to afford it,” stated Michael Thomas, Children First program director. “Children First helps families who have different needs, whether it’s a desire for smaller class sizes to help their kids catch up, developing artistic talents or just wanting a safe school that teaches values important to the family.”

Founded in 2003, Children First School Choice Trust supports 1,000 economically disadvantaged students attending over 200 private schools across Ontario. The grants are available as early as junior kindergarten and are renewable until the students complete Grade 8, subject to funding availability.

Parents can apply online for a Children First School Choice Trust grant at www.childrenfirstgrants.ca. Applications can also be submitted by mail or parents can apply over the phone at 1-866-942-8881. The application deadline is March 31.

All new grants will be awarded in April through a random lottery once an applicant’s financial needs have been determined.