Q&A
- How do I donate to Shepherd of the Desert Education Foundation?
Please call or use our online donation card. You may donate by check, credit card or online payment. In order to use your donation this year as an Arizona tax credit, your donation must be received or postmarked by December 31st. Your receipt will be mailed by January 31st.
- What is the maximum credit I can claim on my Arizona tax return?
If you are single, the maximum is $500. Married persons filing separately may also claim a credit of $500 each or a total of $1,000. Married persons filing jointly can claim a credit of $1,000. If your state income tax liability is less than the amount you can claim, the excess amount can be carried forward and used to offset state income taxes for up to five years.
- May we donate less than $1,000?
Yes, we appreciate any donation, large or small.
- How can I be sure that most of my donation will be used for grant/scholarship purposes, rather than administration?
The legal requirement is that 90% be used for grants/scholarships. We also award interest earned as additional funds for educational grants.
- How do I claim my donation on my taxes – which Arizona forms do I use?
Forms 301 and 323 are available from the Arizona Department of Revenue, phone (602) 542-4260, or they can be printed from our website.
- Can we claim our donation as a federal income tax deduction?
Yes, in additional to being a tax credit on your state taxes, you can use your donation as a charitable tax deduction on your federal tax return. We are a 501c3 (federally tax exempt) charitable organization. Please consult your tax adviser for guidance on tax deductibility.
- How do I apply for an academic achievement award?
You must complete an application form which may be printed from our website or is available from the Foundation office. This award does not require financial information. The application deadline is June 30th. Families are notified in July and schools receive payment in August.
- How do I apply for tuition assistance?
You must complete two separate application forms which may be printed from our website or are available in the Foundation office. Your most recent tax return and a parent narrative must be included. Letters of recommendation are also considered. The CFA/DTS financial analysis application is due April 1st. The Shepherd of the Desert Grant/Scholarship Applications is due April 15th. Families and schools are notified by May 31st.
- What are the most important considerations in the distribution of tuition grants?
The primary considerations are (1) the financial circumstances of the student’s family, (2) the narrative written by the parents, and (3) any written recommendations from teachers, pastors and other people who know the student well.
- Can a student receive awards from more than one tuition grant organization?
Yes, students may receive awards from many different sources.
- What happens if a student changes to another Arizona Christian school after receiving an award?
Normally, the unused portion would follow the student to the new Christian school. If the student moved to another state or to a non-Christian school, the remaining money would be returned to the SOD Education Foundation and re-distributed to students in the next award process.
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