MicroschoolLaunchKit
District of Columbia · DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) — federal (SOAR Act)

How to get funded in District of Columbia

Getting approved to receive DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) — federal (SOAR Act) funds is what turns your District of Columbia microschool into a school families can actually pay for. Here is the path.

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How the money actually flows

DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) — federal (SOAR Act) is a voucher program with limited/means-tested eligibility. Awards are 2025-26: up to $10,000 (elem/middle), $15,000 (high). Payments run through Serving Our Children (nonprofit grantee) — NOT a DC agency, NOT ClassWallet. Confirm the current details on the official program site before acting.

1. Confirm how the money flows. District of Columbia families use DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) — federal (SOAR Act) funds through Serving Our Children (nonprofit grantee) — NOT a DC agency, NOT ClassWallet to pay approved schools/providers. Your job is to be set up to receive them cleanly.
2. Get your business paperwork in order. Legal entity, tax ID (EIN), and proof you are a real operating school.
3. Meet the state requirements. DC requires 'Approval' (5-E DCMR §2100.2): instruction/staff/facilities evidence to the Superintendent; accreditation is an optional path.
4. Apply as an approved provider. Apply directly to Serving Our Children (the SOAR grantee) to become a participating school; general OSSE approval is a prerequisite to operate.
5. Keep clean invoicing & records. Program spending is documented and audited. Clear invoices and audit-ready records are how you get paid and stay clear.
Important for District of Columbia: Federal program (SOAR Act), not DC-appropriated.

Get the free District of Columbia checklist

Free: the District of Columbia microschool starter checklist

Where to begin, what your state requires, and how funding works. No fluff.

Questions founders ask

Do you take a cut of my scholarship money?

No — flat subscription, never a per-student cut.

Do I have to use a specific curriculum?

No. MicroschoolLaunchKit is the compliance and operations layer — use whatever curriculum or model you want. We handle the paperwork around it, not the teaching.

What exactly is ESA / voucher approval?

Many states let families use public scholarship funds for private-school tuition. Getting approved as a provider/vendor is how that money reaches your school. We walk you through it, state by state.

Do you take a cut of my tuition?

Never. It is a flat subscription. Your tuition is 100% yours — unlike franchise networks that take a fee for every student.

Is this legal advice?

No. We give plain-language guidance and sourced requirements, not legal advice. For legal-sensitive decisions we point you to an education attorney.

Official sources (verify current requirements): servingourchildrendc.org · www.ed.gov

MicroschoolLaunchKit provides general educational guidance, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any state agency or ESA program administrator. Requirements and dollar figures change and some details here are still being verified — always confirm with your state's official sources before acting.