St. Paul’s Lutheran School participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP). For students who qualify for the WPCP, the state of Wisconsin provides a voucher that pays the student’s tuition in full. The application period begins February 1 and ends the third Thursday in April (please note that our staff at St. Paul’s will need proper documentation several days prior to the end of the application period in order to submit the application).

Returning St. Paul’s students entering 4K, Kindergarten, or 1st grade and/or those transferring from another public school or home school at any grade level are eligible.

Department of Public Instruction/Parental Choice Website: https://dpi.wi.gov/parental-education-options/choice-programs/student-applications
2024-2025 WPCP Application Guide: Application_Guidelines_for_Parents_Handout_24-25

Steps to Apply for Parental Choice at St. Paul’s

1. Fill out the online application. The online application needs to be completed through the WPCP website. The application window is open from February 1, 2024 through April 18th, 2024.

Note: An e-mail address is required to register. Communications on the status of applications and the steps necessary to complete them will be e-mailed to the parent or legal guardian.

Once an application is electronically submitted, the parent or guardian will be able to correct it online until the final day of the application period. Be sure to record the e-mail address and password that you use. Missing or incorrect information will cause problems processing applications and may cause a student to be ineligible.

2. Provide Proof of Residency. St. Paul’s must be given a copy of ONE of the following documents. The document must be current (within the last 3 months):

• Current water, gas, electric, cable, satellite, or landline phone bill. (Cell phone & internet bills are NOT acceptable).
• Property tax bill or current (signed and dated) lease agreement
• Current wage statement (can be a year-end W2)
• Recent government correspondence. Current benefits statements from access.wisconsin.gov

3. Families applying to the WPCP for the first time need to provide income documentation. St. Paul’s prefers that families select the DOR Method.

DOR Method (Preferred Method): Possibly provide your Social Security Number(s) of parents/guardians

DPI Method Documentation (Secondary Method): Acceptable documentation includes:

A copy of the first two pages of your 1040 Federal Income Tax Return for 2022. It needs to be signed and dated by the taxpayers.

OR

If your taxes are not completed, you may submit copies of all 2022 income documentation (employer W2s, 1099s, etc).

OR

If you do not file income tax, you must provide copies of all other income documentation for 2022 (social security statements, unemployment compensation statements, child support statements, etc).

**DPI or DOR?**

There are two methods by which families may determine their financial eligibility:

The DOR (Department of Revenue) method is St. Paul’s preferred one and requires the parent(s) to provide their social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers during the online application. The parent enters these numbers into the state’s online system and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue determines income eligibility for the program.

The DPI (Department of Public Instruction) method is a series of income questions that are answered in the initial online application. Once completed, the parent(s) must provide hard copies of income documentation to Lakeside as directed in the application. The school then verifies that the student meets the WPCP’s income requirements.

What else should families do?

Know that when the application period closes, St. Paul’s must have all required income and residency documents in its possession. If these materials are not at St. Paul’s by the end of school that day, the application is ineligible. Submitting income and residency documentation well before the April 20 deadline makes it possible for us to follow up if necessary.

Once an application has been made for a Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) voucher and the applicant parent has met with St. Paul’s, what’s next?

You wait! The application period lasts until April 20. After the application deadline, St. Paul’s is given until the first week day in May to process its applications. Then, the state Department of Public Instruction takes over. It reviews the school’s online verification and determines how many applicants will receive a “seat” (i.e.: a voucher). Typically, the state notifies verified applicants in late May or early June if they have received a voucher. After that, the parent must notify St. Paul’s within a few days if they accept. If acceptance is not done in this time frame, the voucher offer is withdrawn.

Questions?

Please call St. Paul’s school office (715-235-9621) or contact Principal Bob Buss (bob.buss@stpaulmenomonie.com) with questions about the program.

View the the Department of Public Instruction’s FAQ: https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/parental-education-options/Choice/Student_Application_Webpage/Final_PSCP_FAQ_for_Parents_-_2023-24.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

Each year, parents must complete the online parent application available through the following webpage: https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/ChoiceParent/. Parents must provide residency documentation and income documentation, if applicable, to the school(s) they apply to during the application period or the application is ineligible. Students continuing in any of the Choice programs or on the WPCP waiting list in the prior year do not need to meet the income limits.

First-time applicants will have to prove income eligibility. Additionally, applicants for the WPCP will have to indicate which of the prior year school attendance requirements they meet.

Parents/guardians may either: (a) provide their social security numbers or taxpayer identification number and have the Department of Revenue determine whether the student is income eligible for the program; or (b) use the Department of Public Instruction’s income determination method by answering a series of income questions in the on-line parent application and providing paper income documentation to the school(s) as directed in the application during the open application period. The school will verify that the student meets the income requirements.

Applicants must also provide proof of residency directly to the school during the open application period. A student can apply to the Choice program at one or more schools during the open application period.