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Renew Scholarships
Virginia · EISTC — available today

A 65% Virginia tax credit for the scholarships you help fund

Through Virginia's Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program, individuals and businesses receive a 65% state tax credit for donations that send eligible students to quality Christian schools — administered by Renew Scholarships.

Get Started See How It Works
Virginia tax credit on your gift
65%
Minimum individual donation
$500
Statewide annual credit cap
$25M
Of your gift funds scholarships
90%+
How donating works

Four steps from donation to tax credit

  1. Submit a preauthorization form

    Complete the EISTC preauthorization form — by secure link or PDF — before you give. This reserves your share of the state's available tax credits.

  2. Receive your approval notice

    The Virginia Department of Education, through Renew Scholarships, issues a preauthorization notice confirming your credit is reserved.

  3. Make your donation within 180 days

    Send your contribution along with the approval notice within 180 calendar days. Give by cash, check, credit card, or marketable securities.

  4. Claim your credit

    Renew Scholarships reports your gift to the VDOE, which issues your tax credit certificate. File it with your Virginia return to claim 65% of your donation.

Know before you give

The details that make the credit worthwhile

The EISTC is generous by design and specific by statute. Here is what every Virginia contributor should know.

A 65% state tax credit

Contributors receive a Virginia tax credit equal to 65% of their donation — and may also be eligible for federal and state charitable deductions on the same gift.

Donation & credit limits

Individuals may give from $500 up to $125,000 per year (a credit of $325 to $81,250). Business entities have no minimum or maximum. The statewide cap is $25 million in credits annually.

Applies to many Virginia taxes

The credit can offset individual income, corporate income, bank franchise, insurance premiums license, and public service corporation taxes.

Unused credit carries forward

Can't use the full credit in one year? Unused EISTC credits may be carried forward to future tax years, subject to program rules.

A Virginia family reviewing scholarship options for a Christian school together
Who the scholarships serve

Support that reaches Virginia families who need it

EISTC scholarships help qualifying students attend the Christian school that fits their family. Students generally qualify when they meet these criteria:

  • The student must be a Virginia resident.
  • Prior-year public school enrollment, or entering kindergarten or first grade.
  • Household income no greater than 300% of the current federal poverty level.
  • Up to 400% of the federal poverty level for students with a current Individualized Education Program (IEP).
One program, four ways to take part

Find your place in Virginia's scholarship program

Individuals

Give $500–$125,000 a year and receive a 65% Virginia tax credit.

Businesses

Donate with no maximum and offset a range of Virginia business taxes.

Families

Apply through a participating school so your student can attend.

Schools

Partner with us to bring quality Christian education within reach.

FAQs

Virginia EISTC questions, answered

What is the Virginia EISTC?

The Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program is a Virginia state program that offers tax credits to individuals and businesses who donate to approved scholarship foundations. Those donations fund scholarships so eligible students can attend the qualified school of their family's choice.

Who administers the program?

Renew Scholarships operates the RenewaNation Virginia Scholarship Foundation, an approved scholarship foundation and part of RenewaNation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. We connect individuals, families, businesses, and quality Christian schools across Virginia.

How much is the tax credit worth?

The credit equals 65% of your donation. Depending on your circumstances, you may also claim federal and state charitable deductions for the gift.

What can I donate?

Cash, checks, credit card payments, and marketable securities are all accepted. Individuals give a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $125,000 per year; businesses have no limits.

How much of my gift funds scholarships?

At a minimum, 90% of every donation goes directly to student scholarships.

Which students are eligible?

Students must be Virginia residents who were enrolled in public school the prior year (or are entering kindergarten or first grade) and whose household income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level — or 400% for students with a current IEP.

What schools qualify?

Nonpublic schools that meet Virginia's accreditation and compliance requirements are eligible. Renew Scholarships focuses on schools that provide a Christian worldview education.

How does a family apply for a scholarship?

Confirm your student meets the eligibility requirements, then apply through a participating qualified school. Reach out to our team and we'll help point you in the right direction.

Available today — no waiting

Ready to give — or to bring a student to a Christian school?

The Virginia EISTC is open now. Whether you're a donor reserving your credit or a family exploring a scholarship, our team will walk you through every step.

Stay Informed Learn About the Federal EFTC

Questions? Reach the program team