FACT BRIEFDoes Nevada’s “Opportunity Scholarship” program mostly benefit wealthy families?
NO
The Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program, also known as Opportunity Scholarships, offers needs-based scholarships to private schools for students who live in households with annual incomes at or less than 300% of the federal poverty line, which is $93,600 for a family of four.
According to a 2023 Nevada Department of Education report, the average household income of a scholarship recipient was between $55,000 and $59,000. That’s less than Nevada’s median household income of about $72,000.
In response to a recent question about Opportunity Scholarships, Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch (D-Reno) said the majority of people “taking advantage” of the program are “wealthy individuals.”
La Rue Hatch said in an email that she was speaking about other voucher programs nationwide and referenced Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s previous attempt to raise the income cap for Nevada’s program to 500% of the federal poverty line.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Nevada Department of Education Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program (Opportunity Scholarship)
Nevada Department of Education 2023 Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Report
Us Census Explore Census Data
Ideastream Public Media School vouchers now going to more wealthy, private school students, study says
Nevada Independent Democrats press governor’s office on bill to expand school choice, hold back students
Politico GOP states are embracing vouchers. Wealthy parents are benefitting.
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