Use Your SC ESTF Scholarship: Buy PRIDE Reading Program

You are your child’s best advocate, and you deserve the power to choose the educational tools that will help them thrive. South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) puts that power directly in your hands, providing up to $6,000 for you to build a customized learning path for your child. This funding allows you to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and invest in what truly works. For families seeking a proven, multisensory reading curriculum, this is an incredible opportunity. The PRIDE Reading Program is an Education Scholarship Trust Fund – South Carolina Curriculum Vendor with Classwallet, and we’re here to help you use this resource effectively.

Key Takeaways

Prepare for the ESTF application in advance: This scholarship is first-come, first-served, so having your documents ready when the application window opens is crucial. This gives you the best chance to secure the funds for your child’s educational needs.
Invest your scholarship in a program that works: The ESTF allows you to choose the best resources for your child. A research-based, multisensory curriculum like the PRIDE Reading Program is an approved expense that directly addresses reading challenges and builds a strong foundation for literacy.
Use the ClassWallet invoice system for easy purchasing: When buying PRIDE materials, select the “ClassWallet” payment option at checkout. You’ll receive an invoice to upload directly to your ClassWallet account, allowing the scholarship to pay for your order without any out-of-pocket cost to you.

What is the SC Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)?

If you’re looking for ways to fund your child’s education in South Carolina, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) is a fantastic resource to know about. Think of it as a state-funded scholarship designed to give families more control over their children’s learning journey. The program provides up to $7,500 per eligible student, which you can use for a variety of educational expenses, including specialized curriculum, tutoring, and other essential resources. This financial support can be a game-changer, allowing you to choose programs that are the perfect fit for your child’s unique needs, especially if they require a specific approach to learning.

The South Carolina Department of Education oversees the program, but a platform called ClassWallet is what you’ll use to manage the funds. This setup makes it simple for families to access their scholarship money and pay for approved educational materials and services directly. The goal is to empower you to build a customized education for your child, whether that means investing in a powerful reading program or other tools for success. The ESTF program is all about creating more opportunities for students across the state to thrive academically.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the ESTF scholarship, your child and family need to meet a few specific requirements. First, your child must be a South Carolina resident in grades K-12 and under the age of 22. There’s also an income component: your household income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, or your child must be a confirmed Medicaid recipient. This ensures the funds go to families who can benefit most from the support.

Additionally, your child generally must have attended a public school during the previous school year. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. It doesn’t apply to children who are just entering kindergarten or to students who have previously received an Education Savings Account (ESA). This scholarship is an incredible resource for families seeking the best educational path for their children, especially those with learning differences like dyslexia.

How to Apply

The application process for the ESTF is designed to be straightforward, but it’s important to act quickly. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet all the eligibility criteria. This means that once the application window opens, you’ll want to have your information ready to go. Typically, the application period runs from January 15 to March 15 each year.

Because the demand for these scholarships is high, being prepared is key. You can find detailed information and the application portal through the official program websites. For families exploring different educational options, like a homeschool curriculum that offers a more tailored approach, securing this funding can make all the difference in providing a rich and effective learning experience for your child.

Key Dates to Remember

Timing is everything when it comes to the ESTF scholarship. For the 2025-2026 school year, the program has already reached its 10,000-scholarship limit, and applications are currently closed. A waiting list has been established for families who are still interested. While this might feel disappointing, it highlights just how popular and needed this program is.

The best thing you can do now is prepare for the next application cycle. Keep an eye on the official South Carolina ESTF Program page for announcements about future dates. Since the scholarships are awarded so quickly, knowing exactly when the window opens will give you a significant advantage. Mark your calendar and get your documents in order so you’re ready to apply as soon as the next opportunity arises.

Using ClassWallet with Your ESTF Scholarship

Once your family is approved for the SC ESTF scholarship, the next step is managing the funds. South Carolina uses a platform called ClassWallet to make this process simple and transparent. Think of it as a digital wallet specifically for your child’s educational expenses. This system helps you track your spending and ensures the funds are used for approved resources, like our PRIDE Reading Program. It’s designed to give you direct control over your child’s educational journey, putting the power to choose the right tools directly in your hands.

Set Up Your ClassWallet Account

Getting started with ClassWallet is straightforward. After your ESTF scholarship application is approved, keep an eye on your inbox for a welcome email. This email is your key to setting up your account and accessing your funds. ClassWallet is the official platform that helps manage and distribute the scholarship money to families. The setup process is designed to be user-friendly, so you can quickly get your account active and ready to use for your child’s educational needs. Just follow the instructions in the email, and you’ll be all set to start purchasing approved materials and services.

Manage Your Scholarship Funds

Your ClassWallet account is your command center for the ESTF scholarship. From here, you can see your available balance and direct payments to approved vendors for a variety of educational costs. The scholarship is designed to be flexible, allowing you to pay for things like private tutoring, special education therapies, and curriculum materials. This flexibility is fantastic because it means you can tailor your child’s education to their specific needs. Whether you’re investing in a comprehensive reading curriculum or securing extra support from a PRIDE Reading Specialist, ClassWallet is the tool you’ll use to manage those payments seamlessly.

What Can You Purchase?

So, what exactly can you buy with your scholarship funds? The ESTF program allows for a wide range of educational expenses. According to EdChoice, families can use the money for tuition, textbooks, tutoring, and even computers for school. It also covers services for students with disabilities, which is where the PRIDE Reading Program fits perfectly. Our homeschool curriculum, decodable books, and practice materials all qualify as essential educational resources. This means you can confidently use your ESTF funds to purchase a proven, research-based literacy program that will make a real difference for your child.

How the Payment Process Works

Once you’re approved and have set up your account, you’ll see the funds appear automatically. The first payment installment will be deposited directly into your student’s ClassWallet account in late July. This initial deposit allows you to start purchasing materials and planning for the school year right away. The remaining funds are typically disbursed in installments throughout the year, ensuring you have a steady budget for ongoing needs like tutoring or supplemental materials. The process is designed to be predictable and easy to follow, so you can focus less on the logistics and more on your child’s learning.

Why Choose the PRIDE Reading Program?

When you invest your ESTF scholarship funds, you want a program that delivers real results. The PRIDE Reading Program is designed to do just that. It’s a comprehensive, step-by-step solution that empowers you to teach your child to read with confidence. Here’s why so many families and schools trust PRIDE for literacy instruction.

A Curriculum Built on the Science of Reading

You may have heard the term “Science of Reading” a lot lately, and for good reason. It refers to a large body of research on how we learn to read. The PRIDE Reading Program is built on this solid foundation. Our curriculum is aligned with the Science of Reading, offering a structured yet flexible approach that helps learners of all ages. We use an explicit, systematic method that directly teaches the connections between letters and sounds. This approach removes the guesswork for developing readers and provides a clear path to literacy, ensuring no child is left to figure it out on their own.

Engage Every Learner with Multisensory Methods

Children learn best when they can engage all their senses. That’s why our homeschool curriculum uses engaging, multisensory methods to teach reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension. With PRIDE, your child won’t just see letters on a page; they’ll trace them in sand, build words with letter tiles, and hear the sounds spoken aloud. This hands-on approach is a core part of the Orton-Gillingham method, making learning feel more like play. It helps create strong neural pathways for reading, which is especially effective for children who find traditional learning methods challenging.

What’s Included in the Program?

We believe that teaching your child to read shouldn’t be overwhelming. The PRIDE Reading Program is an easy-to-use, structured literacy curriculum that gives you everything you need to get started. Each program kit comes with a simple, scripted Online Teaching Guide that walks you through every lesson, step-by-step. You’ll also receive a student workbook and a set of sound cards. To build fluency and confidence, you can add our charming decodable books to your order. These books contain only the sounds your child has already learned, so they can experience the joy of successfully reading a story from cover to cover.

Support for Students with Learning Differences

If your child has a learning difference, finding the right support can feel like a constant battle. The PRIDE Reading Program is a structured literacy program specifically designed for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Because our approach is explicit, systematic, and multisensory, it directly addresses the challenges these learners face. We provide a safe, encouraging, and effective learning environment where students can finally thrive. For families who want additional help, we also offer one-on-one online tutoring with certified PRIDE Reading Specialists who can provide personalized instruction tailored to your child’s unique needs.

How to Buy PRIDE Materials with ClassWallet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you have your ESTF scholarship funds ready in ClassWallet, you’re all set to get the perfect reading materials for your child. Purchasing the PRIDE Reading Program is a straightforward process that ensures you get exactly what your learner needs. We’ve broken it down into five simple steps to guide you from choosing your materials to having them delivered to your door. Let’s walk through it together so you can feel confident every step of the way.

Step 1: Take the Placement Test

Before you add anything to your cart, the very first step is to identify your child’s specific needs. The best way to do this is with our free online placement test. This isn’t a test your child can pass or fail; it’s a simple and effective tool designed to pinpoint the exact level where your child should begin their reading journey. Taking just a few minutes to complete the PRIDE Reading Program Placement Test provides you with a clear recommendation, ensuring you invest your scholarship funds in the program that will offer the most support and build confidence from day one.

Step 2: Choose Your Program Level

Once the placement test gives you a recommended starting level, you can explore the program that’s the right fit. Our homeschool curriculum is structured to guide your child step-by-step, but it’s also flexible enough to meet the needs of diverse learners. Each level builds on the last, creating a seamless path to reading fluency. Review the recommended program kit, which includes the teacher’s manual and student materials you’ll need. You can feel confident knowing that each kit is part of a comprehensive, Orton-Gillingham-based system designed for literacy success. This structured approach removes the guesswork and lets you focus on what matters most: helping your child learn.

Step 3: Select Your Materials

After you’ve identified the right program level, it’s time to place your order through the PRIDE Reading Program website. Add the recommended curriculum kit to your cart. If your budget allows, you might also consider adding supplementary materials like our engaging Little Lions Decodable Books to give your child extra practice. When you’re ready, proceed to the checkout page. Here, you will fill out your shipping information. When you get to the payment section, simply select “ClassWallet” as your payment method. This will generate an invoice for you to use in the next step, rather than requiring you to pay out-of-pocket.

Step 4: Submit Your Order in ClassWallet

After you complete the checkout process on our website, we will email you an official invoice for your order. This invoice is the key to using your scholarship funds. Your next move is to log in to your ClassWallet account. Inside the ClassWallet portal, you will find an option to upload vendor invoices for payment. Submit the invoice we sent you for approval. This step officially directs ClassWallet to pay for your PRIDE Reading Program materials directly from your ESTF scholarship funds. It’s a simple but essential step to connect your order with your scholarship funding.

Step 5: Track Your Purchase

Once you’ve submitted your invoice, ClassWallet will review and process the payment to PRIDE Reading Program. As soon as the payment is approved and received on our end, your order will be fulfilled and shipped directly to you. You’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information, so you can watch as your materials make their way to your home. Then, the best part begins: unboxing your kit and starting a new and exciting chapter in your child’s reading journey. You’ve successfully used your scholarship to provide a powerful tool for your learner.

Get the Most from Your ESTF Scholarship

Receiving the ESTF scholarship is a fantastic opportunity to provide your child with the educational tools they need to thrive. Once your funds are approved, the next step is to use them wisely to help your child build confidence and find success in their learning journey.

Plan Your Educational Budget

With $6,000 in your ClassWallet account, it’s smart to map out your child’s educational expenses for the year. The ESTF scholarship is flexible, covering approved costs like private school tuition, curriculum, and specialized therapies. Start by listing your child’s needs. Will they require one-on-one tutoring? Do you need a complete curriculum? By prioritizing these items, you can invest in a comprehensive solution like the PRIDE Homeschool Curriculum, which provides everything you need for literacy instruction. This planning helps you see exactly how the scholarship can support your child’s progress.

Keep Your Documents in Order

Managing scholarship funds requires a bit of organization, but a simple system can make it stress-free. You will receive instructions on how to manage your funds through the ClassWallet platform, so be sure to read those carefully. I recommend creating a dedicated folder for all your ESTF-related documents. Keep copies of your approval letter, receipts for all purchases, and any important communications. This makes it easy to track your spending and ensures you have everything you need if questions arise, giving you peace of mind to focus on your child’s education.

Tips for a Successful Start with PRIDE

The PRIDE Reading Program is designed to be structured yet flexible, making it a great fit for the diverse needs of learners. To set your child up for success, begin by having them take the free PRIDE placement test. This ensures you purchase the correct level and start exactly where your child needs to be. Once your materials arrive, establish a consistent routine for your lessons. The short, scripted lessons are easy to follow and designed for success. Remember to lean into the program’s multisensory activities to keep your child engaged and help them build lasting connections.

Where to Find Support

You are never alone on this journey. If you have questions about the curriculum or need guidance, the PRIDE team is here to help. For families who need more intensive support, the ESTF scholarship can be used to hire PRIDE Reading Specialists for one-on-one online tutoring. This can be a wonderful supplement to the work you’re doing at home. PRIDE is also committed to making literacy accessible and has partnered with organizations that provide financial assistance. You can explore these opportunities on the Grants & Scholarships page.

Frequently Asked Questions

I missed the application window for this year. What should I do now? It can be disappointing to find out the scholarships have all been claimed for the year, but the best thing you can do is prepare for the next cycle. I recommend bookmarking the official South Carolina ESTF Program page and checking it periodically for updates on the 2026-2027 application window. Use this time to gather any necessary documents so you are ready to apply the moment it opens, as the scholarships are awarded very quickly.

Do I need to pay for the PRIDE curriculum out-of-pocket and wait for a reimbursement? No, you do not have to pay for the materials yourself. The process is designed to be much simpler. When you check out on the PRIDE Reading Program website, you will select “ClassWallet” as your payment method. We will then email you an invoice, which you can upload directly to your ClassWallet account. ClassWallet pays us directly from your scholarship funds, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for you.

Is the PRIDE Reading Program only for students with dyslexia? While our program is specifically designed to support the needs of students with dyslexia and other learning differences, its methods are effective for all learners. The structured, multisensory, and systematic approach provides a solid foundation for any child learning to read. It removes the guesswork and makes the process of learning to read clear and engaging, which benefits every student, not just those who struggle.

There are several PRIDE program levels. How can I be sure I’m choosing the right one for my child? We make this part easy and stress-free. Before you purchase anything, we ask that you have your child take our free online Placement Test. It’s a quick assessment that accurately identifies your child’s current reading and spelling skills. Based on the results, we will recommend the exact program level that will meet them where they are and set them up for success from the very first lesson.

Can I use the ESTF scholarship to cover both the PRIDE curriculum and one-on-one tutoring? Yes, absolutely. The ESTF scholarship is designed to be flexible so you can build a comprehensive support system for your child. You can use the funds to purchase the PRIDE Reading Program curriculum kit, supplemental materials like our decodable books, and also secure personalized online tutoring with one of our certified PRIDE Reading Specialists. This allows you to create a complete and powerful literacy plan for your child.