Navigating Recent Changes to the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program: HB455 and Microschools

If you’re a Utah parent exploring flexible learning options, you’ve probably heard of the Utah Fits All (UFA) Scholarship Program—a bold initiative that gives families access to education funds to use outside of the traditional public school system. It’s a big step forward for educational freedom in Utah, and part of a broader national trend towards school choice and personalized learning. 

For many Utah families, UFA has enabled them to choose learning environments that align with their child’s needs, interests, and values. Whether that’s a private school, microschool, hybrid model, or home-based learning setup, the UFA scholarship has made it financially possible for families.

With the passing of HB 455 in March 2025, the UFA program just got a major update—one that impacts how much funding students receive and how different types of learning are classified.

Now, families who thought they had it all figured out are suddenly back at the drawing board.

Here are just a few of the questions we’re hearing from Utah parents:

Are we still eligible for the $8,000 scholarship?

What even counts as a “private school”?

Where do microschools like Prenda fit into all of this?

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, you’re in good company. When the rules shift mid-game, it’s natural to feel a bit unsteady. But here’s the encouraging part: you still have choices—and you don’t have to navigate this alone. In this post, we’ll walk you through what’s changed with HB 455, what the new law says about private versus home-based education, and why we believe Prenda continues to be a powerful, accessible option for families in Utah.

Let’s dig in.

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What Changed Under HB 455?

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Up until now, the Utah Fits All (UFA) Scholarship Program offered a simple, generous setup. Every student who qualified received $8,000 per year, regardless of how or where they were learning. It was straightforward—as long as a student was approved and not enrolled full-time in public school, the funds were theirs to use on qualified educational expenses.

HB 455 introduced two distinct funding categories, each with its own eligibility criteria and funding amounts:

• Private School Category: Students who are enrolled in a full-time, tuition bearing educational institution where the student receives the majority of the student’s academic instruction.
  
  • This category is eligible for $8,000 annually.

• Home-Based Category: Students learning primarily at home under a parent or guardian’s instruction.
  
  • This category is eligible for $4,000 (ages 5-11) or $6,000 (ages 12-18) annually.

This change is significant—not just because it adjusts funding amounts, but because it redefines how students are categorized based on their learning model.  And that’s not all. Along with the passage of HB 455, the legislature has also called for a change in program management. 

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The contract with the previous UFA program manager, ACE Scholarships ended on May 16, 2025. Utah has contracted with Odyssey as the program manager for the 2025-2026 school year.

What Counts as “Private” vs “Home-Based”?

One of the most significant changes introduced by HB 455 is the formal separation of students into two categories: private school learners and home-based learners. This distinction now determines how much scholarship funding a student is eligible to receive. 

At a glance it seems simple enough:

• Private School: students enrolled in full-time, structured programs.
• Home Based: students whose education is primarily directed and delivered by a parent or legal guardian at home. 

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But here’s where it gets tricky: there’s no one-size-fits-all educational definition. Over the past few years, Utah (and the rest of the country), has seen a surge in creative, community-driven learning models, like microschools. Microschools are exciting, flexible, and responsive. And they don’t always fit neatly into the old “public vs private vs. homeschool” boxes. How will microschools fit into the new landscape in Utah?

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How Does Prenda Fit into These New UFA Categories?

Because Prenda is a structured, full-time education solution, Prenda will be considered a microschool provider under the  "private school" category. This means that students attending a Prenda microschool will be elligible to receive the full funding amount from the UFA scholarship making access to new local microschools affordable for all families.

What We Love Most About Microschools

At Prenda, we believe our microschools unlock something truly special. 

We love that:

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• Kids are seen for who they are, not for the grades they receive.
• Learning is personalized, not standardized.
• Students can dive deep into the things they love—and get the support they need where they struggle.
• Relationships matter. Guides know their learners, and kids know they belong.
• Curiosity leads the way, not a rigid curriculum map.
• Families have a voice. They’re not sidelined—they’re central.

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There’s something magical that happens in a small group of students who are working at their own pace, discovering their passions, and growing alongside someone who believes in them. 

Microschools create the perfect environment for that magic—and we’re all in on helping more families experience it.

Prenda supports a network of microschools where kids learn in small groups with a trained guide. Our learning model combines a mastery-based approach for core subjects with creative, hands-on projects and group collaboration. Some Prenda microschools meet in homes; others meet in libraries, churches, or other flexible spaces. Prenda provides guides with tools, training, and curriculum to ensure that each microschool empowers learners.

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How to Find or Start a Prenda Microschool Near You

We know—uncertainty can be paralyzing. But even while some details are still unfolding, there are smart, proactive steps families can take right now to stay ahead of the curve. 

Here’s how to move forward with confidence while we wait for final guidance:

1. Apply for the UFA Scholarship
   Head over to the Utah Fits All Scholarship website and submit your application. If you applied for the 2025-2026 school year under the old program manager, you will be able to reapply with the new program manager starting July 31st, 2025. If you have not applied previously, you'll need to wait until the 2026-2027 school year. When you apply, select the “private school” option if you’re planning to enroll in a Prenda microschool.
   
   
2. Enroll in a Prenda microschool
   Visit our microschool map and find a microschool near you. If you find one that feels like the right fit, go ahead and get the process started—even while we wait on final program guidelines. Can’t find a microschool near you? You might be the perfect person to start one—or know someone who is. Learn how to launch a microschool in your neighborhood and be part of something transformative.

We can't wait to bring microschools to Utah! Learn more about the microschool movement by following Prenda on social media @prendalearn.

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