Arizona School Choice Trust was founded for
educational opportunity for low-income families

How We Began — In 1991, the Wall Street Journal profiled Pat Rooney, then, chairman of the board of Golden Rule Insurance Co. This Indianapolis, Indiana billionaire tried to get the Indiana state legislature to fund private schools with state resources.  When that did not succeed, Rooney created a privately funded school choice scholarship program for students from low-income families.

Jack and Isabelle McVaugh, recent Arizona retirees, were impressed with what they read about Pat Rooney’s initiative.  They could afford to send their children to the best schools possible, but knew that some families, especially with lower incomes, did not have that opportunity. Their vision was to enhance K-12 education for all Arizona school children by giving parents freedom to choose the school that best met their children's needs.

On May 11, 1993, with the help of friends and associates, ASCT was established. The initial program served Maricopa County residents who qualified for the federal free and reduced-price school lunch program.  Within 10 days of publishing a request for applications for the ASCT program in the Arizona Republic newspaper, 500 students applied and were on the waiting list for scholarships.  What started in 1993 with 54 privately-funded scholarships has grown to almost 1,000 annual scholarships to children from low income families in Arizona.

ASCT has helped hundreds of families achieve educational freedom through its tuition aid program. ASCT serves the most number of schools throughout Arizona with no preference to religious affiliation. ASCT was providing tuition scholarships for five years prior to the tax credit legislation.

For more about us, please take time to read about our mission, our distinguished board of directors, our dedicated staff and supporters.