Why the scholarship matters in this valley
Salt Lake County public schools are shrinking in places. The Salt Lake City School District board voted 4-3 in January 2024 to close Hawthorne, M. Lynn Bennion, Mary W. Jackson and Riley elementaries, Canyons reported a 16% drop in elementary enrollment since 2018 when it proposed closures in September 2025, and Granite studied closing Eastwood and Morningside before shelving the idea that November. When a neighborhood school closes, families may weigh a parish school or a microschool for the first time, and Utah Fits All is the largest source of money to ask about.
The three amounts for 2026-27
A private-school student receives $8,000. A home-based student receives $4,000 if 5 to 11 on Sept 1, or $6,000 if 12 to 18. The amount does not change with income or with the school's tuition, and Odyssey's pages list no higher Utah Fits All figure for students with disabilities; that need is handled by the Carson Smith scholarships instead. The full year's money is released at the start of the program year, and a mid-year joiner gets 75% or 50% depending on the quarter.
Getting a place: the priority order
There is no income cap, but there is not enough money for everyone. For 2026-27 Odyssey reported 27,560 applicants, a record, and awards to over 18,700 students in June, with over 8,800 waitlisted and a smaller August round expected. KUTV reported about $120 million for scholarships this year. Places go first to returning students, then to siblings of a prior-year recipient, then to households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, then by lottery. A Sugar House family new to the program with one child and a middle income is in the lottery group, which is the hardest place to be.
Choosing a school that can be paid
To receive the $8,000, you select an approved private school in the Odyssey portal and the school confirms enrollment. In our directory, 30 of 82 Salt Lake and Tooele schools matched the approved 2026-27 list. Judge Memorial, Juan Diego, Intermountain Christian and most parish schools are on it. Rowland Hall, The McGillis School and The Waterford School did not appear on the 2026-27 list we checked. Lists change every spring, and schools apply between May 1 and June 1, so ask the school directly if the date matters.
The court case, in practical terms
On April 18, 2025, 3rd District Judge Laura Scott ruled the program unconstitutional, then declined to halt it while the state appealed. The Utah Supreme Court took the appeal, briefs were filed in early 2026, and as of October 2026 there was no decision and no published timeline. For a family, that means 2026-27 money is real and spendable, but a plan that depends on the award for several years should include a fallback such as school aid or a Carson Smith scholarship for a child with an IEP.
Spending well and keeping eligibility
Families must complete the portfolio requirement and prove residency each year with a current utility bill, mortgage statement, lease or property tax record. Reimbursements now take up to 10 business days, cash and check purchases need a vendor's point-of-sale receipt, and goods over $1,000 get extra review. Two-thirds of an unspent balance, up to $2,000, carries into the next year.
Salt Lake and Tooele schools on the 2026-27 Utah Fits All list (30)
| School | Type | Community | Grades | Utah Fits All list | Carson Smith lists | Students* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem Preparatory School 11100 S Redwood Rd, South Jordan 84095 | Christian Schools Christian (no specific denomination) | West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton & Herriman | PK-12 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 108 |
| Blessed Sacrament School 1745 E 9800 S, Sandy 84092 | Catholic Schools | Sandy & Draper | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 83 |
| Children's Christian School 3050 S 3200 W, West Valley City 84119 | Christian Schools Christian (no specific denomination) | West Valley City, Kearns & Magna | PK-7 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 24 |
| Dancing Moose Montessori River Park 10995 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan 84095 | Independent Schools | West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton & Herriman | PK-2 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 81 |
| Dancing Moose Montessori School 4428 W Links Dr., West Valley City 84120 | Independent Schools | West Valley City, Kearns & Magna | PK-3 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 47 |
| Elizabeth Academy 2870 S Connor St., Salt Lake City 84109 | Independent Schools | Millcreek, Holladay & Cottonwood Heights | PK-12 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 175 |
| Ensign Learning Center West Valley City · from published lists only | Independent Schools | West Valley City, Kearns & Magna | Not reported | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | — |
| Foundation Christian Academy: Tooele Tooele · from published lists only | Christian Schools | Tooele County | Not reported | On the list | None found | — |
| Grace Lutheran School 1815 E 9800 S, Sandy 84092 | Christian Schools Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod | Sandy & Draper | PK-8 | On the list | None found | 86 |
| Hilltop Christian School 985 E 10600 S, Sandy 84094 | Christian Schools Christian (no specific denomination) | Sandy & Draper | PK-2 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 13 |
| Intermountain Christian School 6515 S Lion Ln, Salt Lake City 84121 | Christian Schools Christian (no specific denomination) | Millcreek, Holladay & Cottonwood Heights | PK-12 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 273 |
| Iqra Academy of Utah 3990 S Constitution Blvd 2700w, Salt Lake City 84119 | Jewish & Islamic Schools Islamic | West Valley City, Kearns & Magna | PK-8 | On the list | None found | 87 |
| J E Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School 2335 E Redondo Ave, Salt Lake City 84108 | Catholic Schools | Salt Lake City | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 289 |
| Juan Diego Catholic High School 300 E 11800 S, Draper 84020 | Catholic Schools | Sandy & Draper | 9-12 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 679 |
| Judge Memorial Catholic High School 650 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City 84102 | Catholic Schools | Salt Lake City | 9-12 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 615 |
| Kearns-Saint Ann School 430 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City 84115 | Catholic Schools | Salt Lake City | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 83 |
| Morning Star Preparatory Academy West Valley City · from published lists only | Independent Schools | West Valley City, Kearns & Magna | Not reported | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | — |
| Mount Vernon Academy 240 E 5600 S, Murray 84107 | Independent Schools | Murray, Midvale & Taylorsville | K-12 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 121 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School 1065 E 700 S, Salt Lake City 84102 | Catholic Schools | Salt Lake City | K-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 174 |
| Pinyon Montessori 515 E 100 S Ste 100, Salt Lake City 84111 | Independent Schools | Salt Lake City | PK-5 | On the list | None found | 4 |
| Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran School 1441 W Tamarack Rd, Salt Lake City 84123 | Christian Schools Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod | Murray, Midvale & Taylorsville | PK-8 | On the list | None found | 95 |
| Redeemer Lutheran School 1955 E Stratford Ave, Salt Lake City 84106 | Christian Schools Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod | Salt Lake City | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 33 |
| St. Andrew Catholic School 11835 S 3600 W, Riverton 84065 | Catholic Schools | West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton & Herriman | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 108 |
| St. Francis Xavier Catholic School 4501 W 5215 S, Kearns 84118 | Catholic Schools | West Valley City, Kearns & Magna | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 192 |
| St. John the Baptist Middle School 300 E 11800 S, Draper 84020 | Catholic Schools | Sandy & Draper | 6-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 311 |
| St. Marguerite Catholic School 15 S 7th St., Tooele 84074 | Catholic Schools | Tooele County | PK-6 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 75 |
| St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox School 5341 S Highland Dr., Salt Lake City 84117 | Christian Schools Greek Orthodox | Millcreek, Holladay & Cottonwood Heights | PK-K | On the list | None found | 16 |
| St. Vincent de Paul Parish School 1385 E Spring Ln, Salt Lake City 84117 | Catholic Schools | Millcreek, Holladay & Cottonwood Heights | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 222 |
| Summit Christian Academy Salt Lake City · from published lists only | Christian Schools | Millcreek, Holladay & Cottonwood Heights | Not reported | On the list | None found | — |
| The Madeleine Choir School 205 E 1st Ave, Salt Lake City 84103 | Catholic Schools | Salt Lake City | PK-8 | On the list | 1 USBE Carson Smith eligible-school list | 357 |
* Enrollment reported to the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24 or 2021-22). "Utah Fits All list" means the school appears on the published Utah Fits All Scholarship participating-school list (Oct 2026). "Carson Smith lists" counts the organizations whose published school list included the school (Oct 2026).
Next step
Ready to see which award fits? Take the short funding check and a School Funding Advisor will call to go over Utah Fits All, Carson Smith and school aid for your child, with the dates that matter.
Common questions
Which Salt Lake City private schools are on the 2026-27 Utah Fits All list?
The 2026-27 Utah Fits All approved list includes Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Juan Diego Catholic High School, Intermountain Christian School and most Diocese of Salt Lake City parish schools. Rowland Hall, The McGillis School and The Waterford School did not appear on the list checked in October 2026. Every Salt Lake and Tooele match is marked in the school directory tables.
What are a new Salt Lake applicant's chances in the Utah Fits All lottery?
A new Salt Lake applicant who is not a sibling of a prior recipient and whose income is above 300% of the federal poverty level enters the Utah Fits All lottery after the priority groups are funded. For 2026-27, Odyssey funded over 18,700 of 27,560 applicants in June and waitlisted over 8,800, so the lottery group faced the longest odds.
Why are Salt Lake families looking at private schools after district closures?
Salt Lake families have seen closures in several districts. The Salt Lake City School District closed four elementaries starting in 2024-25, Canyons proposed closures in 2025 after a 16% elementary enrollment drop since 2018, and Granite studied two east-side closures before suspending the plan. Some affected families now compare parish, Christian and microschool options using the Utah Fits All award.
Does a Salt Lake family have to reapply for Utah Fits All every year?
A Salt Lake family renews Utah Fits All each year in the returning-student window, which opened on Mar 1 in the 2026-27 cycle. Returning students have the top place in the priority order, and KUTV reported a 90% renewal rate. The family must also complete the portfolio requirement and submit current-year proof of Utah residency to keep eligibility.