Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP)
Notre Dame Academy participates in the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP.)
The SNSP requires an active Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Service Plan (SP) written by a public school. GRACE students who have an active IEP are eligible for the program. GRACE students with a Student Service Plan or Teacher Service Plan are not eligible. Students with these plans would need to be evaluated by their home public school to determine if they qualify for an IEP. NDA will work to meet the needs of each student with a disability by following, to the best of our ability, the accommodations and modifications identified in the student’s plan.
Application Timeline and Process
The SNSP application window for 2023-2024 is July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024.
Qualified applicants must complete the SNSP application which is similar to the application used for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP.) However, unlike the WPCP, there is no income requirement to participate in the program.
DPI determines the amount of the scholarship voucher per NDA student. This scholarship voucher is paid directly to NDA.
The SNSP scholarship is in place until the student graduates from NDA.
If the student is determined to no longer have a disability, the child can continue at the school with a scholarship equal to the amount that student would receive under the WPCP program.
As an SNSP participating school, NDA is required to annually declare the number of seats/spaces available to students in its SNSP program.
Program Requirements
- Proof of Wisconsin residency
- Have an active Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Service Plan (SP) from a public school
Proof of residency is required to complete the SNSP application. Accepted documents for proof of residency include:
- Preferred (if applicable) - Property Tax Statement
- Current Wage Statement (can be year end W2)
- Current water, gas, or electric bill (dated within the last 90 days) Current lease agreement
SNSP and Tuition Assistance
Since eligibility in the SNSP is not determined based on income, families do not receive the SNSP voucher to cover the cost of tuition. However, families are welcome to apply for the NDA Tuition Grant Program.
Tuition grants are based upon a family’s demonstrated financial need as determined by the software program NDA uses that is similar to many colleges and universities. The tuition grant process is confidential.
Click here for more information about the NDA Tuition Grant Program.
The application for the NDA Tuition Grant Program opens on February 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year.
WPCP and SNSP Eligible students
In the instance that a student qualifies for both WPCP and SNSP, parents should complete both the WPCP and SNSP applications.
If you have any questions regarding the Special Needs Scholarship Program, please contact Mrs. Jill Gerl, Director of Student Services, at jgerl@notredameacademy.com.