A newly formed scholarship organization hopes to make private Christian education more affordable for Churchill County families through a federal tax-credit program scheduled to begin in 2027.
The Churchill Faith Education Fund recently became a Scholarship Granting Organization, allowing it to raise money for scholarships for students attending private evangelical Christian schools in the county. According to Caleb Szymanski, a leader of the Churchill Faith Education Fund and pastor of Oasis Community Church, the organization's goal is to help families offset tuition costs while expanding educational opportunities.
The effort is tied to the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, created through the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Beginning in 2027, taxpayers may donate up to $1,700 annually to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their federal income taxes.
"The way to think about that is any taxpayer basically gives to the scholarship granting organization, and the government pays them back," Szymanski said.
Scholarships will be available to K-12 students attending eligible private evangelical Christian schools. Eligibility will be based primarily on household income. Families earning less than three times Churchill County's median household income — approximately $237,489 annually, according to Szymanski — would qualify for assistance.
Szymanski said the organization hopes to provide scholarships for at least 50 students in 2027. Reaching that goal would require approximately $170,000 in donations.
Beyond scholarship assistance, the fund hopes to support enrollment growth at local Christian schools and potentially help expand educational programs in the future.
A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 30 at Oasis Community Church, which is serving as the meeting location. Community members interested in learning more about the program, membership opportunities, donations, and scholarship eligibility are invited to attend.
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