Utah Fits All received 27,560 applications this year and awarded about 20,000 scholarships, with funding increased to
20 million. When applications exceed funding, state law gives priority first to returning students and their siblings, then to lower-income applicants, then to other eligible applicants, with a lottery within each group. Robyn Bagley of Utah Education Fits All said 3,317 lower-income priority applicants have received scholarships this year, while students in the fourth group, those above lower-income levels, remain on the waitlist. Bagley said the program is intended for families at all income levels. Julissa Breslin, who applied for her 5-year-old, wants the criteria changed to better serve families who don't have that choice.
Salt Lake Tribune · Wed, Oct 21, 2026
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited American Preparatory Academy's West Valley City K-12 campus on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, as part of a speaking series on President Trump's plan to return education to the states. The charter network is under financial scrutiny. State Auditor Tina Cannon took legal action last December after the network refused to disclose how much it pays its top administrators, who are paid by a related private company, American Preparatory Schools. The case is still before a 3rd District Court judge, and the network argues the payroll records are not public. Its West Valley campus has been identified for improvement, while its Draper high school ranked among Utah's top 10.
Utah News Dispatch · Fri, Sep 18, 2026
The Utah Fits All scholarship program spent $94.7 million during the 2025-2026 school year, according to a report its manager, Odyssey, filed with the Legislature this month. Lawmakers have limited eligible expenses, excluding items like ski passes and musical instruments. Of the 14,522 students who used the program, about 48% were homeschooled, down from about 80% last year, after scholarship amounts for homeschoolers were reduced. Supporters, including House Majority Whip Candice Pierucci, say the program is audited closely and gives families choices. Critics, including Rep. John Arthur and the Utah Education Association, question some purchases and argue that public money belongs in public schools. The program will continue while the Utah Supreme Court decides whether it is constitutional.
Deseret News · Mon, Aug 24, 2026
Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which serves over 100,000 students on an $870 million budget, survived a ballot challenge after a trial court found that Proposition 212, a measure backed by teachers' unions, fell short of the required signatures once invalid ones were removed. Robin Bagley, executive director of Utah Fits All, says teachers' unions have a playbook that starts with court challenges, and a case against Utah's program, Brown v. Labresh, is pending before the Utah Supreme Court. Bagley says Utah's program is more transparent, with third-party management and academic portfolios, and that parents have nothing to be concerned about. The Utah Supreme Court's ruling on whether the program is constitutional will be the real test.
Utah Legislature · Wed, Aug 19, 2026
The Utah Education Interim Committee's August 19, 2026 agenda includes approving the minutes of its June 17, 2026 meeting and an update on identifying Utah State Board of Education legislative mandates. Members will also conduct sunset reviews of four bodies, including the Capital Projects Evaluation Panel, and hear the State Board's recommendations on them. Other items cover a review of public education funding over recent years, a performance audit on enrollment fraud in higher education, and the restructuring of Utah System of Higher Education institutions into regions under H.B. 352 from the 2026 General Session. The agenda does not list a deadline or a step for families.
Provo.com · Wed, Aug 12, 2026
Utah repealed the homeschool affidavit in 2025. Families now send a one-time notification, which may be a letter of intent, to the local school board of their district of residence. No notary, annual renewal or background attestation is required. The board must acknowledge receipt within 30 days. A board may not require new notification from families who already notified it on or before May 7, 2025, and an old affidavit counts. Many district forms and online guides still describe the retired affidavit, so the statute governs. Northern Utah County families may have changed districts because of the Alpine School District split, so it's worth asking their district whether they need to do anything.
UHOPE Substack · Mon, Aug 10, 2026
Utah's Legislature is out of session, but the UHOPE Coalition reports that education interim work continues and may shape next year's bills. Two items stand out for homeschool families: how Utah colleges recognize AP versus concurrent enrollment credit, and a special education policy and funding discussion that was postponed from June and may return at the August 19 Education Interim Committee meeting. UHOPE also highlights a recent win: districts such as Nebo are putting HB 209 into practice, replacing the old homeschool affidavit with a simpler one-time notification. Families are encouraged to watch the August 19 agenda.
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