Who can qualify?
ESTF serves South Carolina K–12 students from households at or below 500% FPL who are not attending their zoned public school full-time. Exceptional SC separately serves students with documented exceptional needs.
South Carolina · 2026–27 parent guide
South Carolina ESA (Education Scholarship Trust Fund)
Eligibility, award amounts, deadlines, eligible expenses, and official links—without vendor jargon.
ESTFSouth Carolina ESAExceptional SC
PencilGo in South Carolina
Participation unconfirmed
We have no confirmed PencilGo provider approval or purchase route for this program.
PencilGo status reviewed September 23, 2026.
See all South Carolina vendors you can pay with Education Scholarship Trust FundProvider participation does not approve every product. Confirm the exact offering and payment process before purchasing. Direct card purchases may not be reimbursed.
How much is it?
ESTF provides $7,634 in four installments. Exceptional SC may provide up to $11,000 for participating-school costs, subject to donated funds.
When do I apply?
ESTF reached its 15,000-student cap for 2026–27. Exceptional SC applications remain open through September 30, 2026.
What the funds may cover
- Participating-school and online tuition
- Curriculum, books, materials and tutoring
- Disability therapies and technology
- Uniforms and limited transportation
The exact item still must satisfy the program’s current rules and purchasing process.
See every category with the Education Scholarship Trust Fund rule, and check a specific item
Before you act
A student cannot receive ESTF and Exceptional SC funding in the same year. Older summaries may show rules changed by later legislation.
- Program administrator
- South Carolina Department of Education / ClassWallet
- Guide reviewed
- September 22, 2026
Verify before applying or spending
Official South Carolina sources
Program pages can change after this guide is reviewed. These links are the source of truth.
A safe order for families
Do not buy first and assume reimbursement later.
- 1
Confirm the child’s eligibility
Use the official program—not a vendor page—to check residency, enrollment, income or disability requirements.
- 2
Wait for the actual award
Eligibility, an application, and a funded account are three different stages.
- 3
Verify the exact expense and payment route
Provider approval does not automatically approve every product. Save invoices and required documentation.
For parents and guardians
Hear when PencilGo opens for ESA purchases in South Carolina.
Get availability news and the confirmed purchase steps. Joining this list is free and does not place an order.
Questions South Carolina families ask
Answered from the official Education Scholarship Trust Fund sources linked above.
Who qualifies for Education Scholarship Trust Fund?
ESTF serves South Carolina K–12 students from households at or below 500% FPL who are not attending their zoned public school full-time. Exceptional SC separately serves students with documented exceptional needs.
How much funding is available in South Carolina?
ESTF provides $7,634 in four installments. Exceptional SC may provide up to $11,000 for participating-school costs, subject to donated funds.
When can families apply?
ESTF reached its 15,000-student cap for 2026–27. Exceptional SC applications remain open through September 30, 2026.
Where can I find ESA vendors in South Carolina?
South Carolina Department of Education / ClassWallet keeps the official list for Education Scholarship Trust Fund; start at SCDE: ESTF status. PencilGo's South Carolina vendor directory lists vendors that report serving the program, with how to pay each one.
What can Education Scholarship Trust Fund funds cover?
Participating-school and online tuition; Curriculum, books, materials and tutoring; Disability therapies and technology; Uniforms and limited transportation. A student cannot receive ESTF and Exceptional SC funding in the same year. Older summaries may show rules changed by later legislation.
Independent information
PencilGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by South Carolina, South Carolina Department of Education / ClassWallet, or any scholarship administrator. This page is educational information, not legal, tax, or eligibility advice. Program administrators make all final decisions.
More state guides
Moving or comparing programs? Start with the state where the student is a resident.