Through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit, you can redirect state taxes you already owe into scholarships for learners at Deep Creek Learning Center — and get up to 90% back as a tax credit.
Pennsylvania lets individuals and businesses send part of their state tax bill to approved scholarship funds instead. Your gift is designated to DCLC, and it becomes tuition help for families who want a learner-driven education.
Complete a one-page form (called a "joinder") with one of our two partner funds and write Deep Creek Learning Center as your school.
Once the fund is awarded credits by the state, they'll let you know when to send your contribution. You'll get a confirmation for your records.
Early in the new year you'll receive tax documents (a PA K-1). Attach them when you file and get your credit or refund.
Enter how much you'd like to redirect to DCLC.
Based on the 90% credit for a two-year commitment. Your gift can't exceed the PA tax you owe. The out-of-pocket portion may also be federally deductible — please check with your tax advisor.
DCLC partners with two trusted scholarship organizations. Both work the same way — the main difference is the minimum gift.
Beginning January 1, 2027, a new federal program lets individuals give to approved scholarship organizations and get a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit — up to $1,700 per person, or $3,400 for a married couple filing jointly.
It's separate from Pennsylvania's EITC. EITC reduces your state taxes; the new program reduces your federal income taxes. That means many families will be able to support DCLC learners through both.
The credit only reduces federal tax you owe (it isn't refundable), and unused credit can carry forward up to five years. The same dollars can't earn both a state and a federal credit, so this would be a separate gift from your EITC contribution.
Anyone who pays Pennsylvania state taxes — individuals, married couples filing jointly, and businesses. You can give up to the amount of PA tax you owe.
Look at your most recent PA-40 return (the total PA tax liability line), or ask your accountant. Choose a gift at or below that number.
Not really. Because you get 90% back as a credit against taxes you'd owe anyway, your true cost is about 10% of the gift. The rest is money that would have gone to the state.
No. State rules let you choose the school, but not an individual student. DCLC awards scholarships to families based on need.
The fund sends you tax documents (including a PA K-1) early in the following year. You or your accountant attach them when filing your PA return, and you'll receive your credit or refund.
Yes. Both Penngift and Central PA Scholarship Fund accept business gifts. Business owners whose income passes through to a personal return can often give as individuals too.
Yes, as two separate gifts. Your EITC gift earns a Pennsylvania credit, and a separate gift of up to $1,700 per person (starting in 2027) could earn a federal credit — once Pennsylvania opts in to the federal program. The same dollars can't count toward both.
It's the one-page form that makes you a member of the fund's giving entity (a Special Purpose Entity). It's the legal step that lets the state credit flow to you.
A few minutes of paperwork turns money you already owe into real opportunities for learners right here in the Perkiomen Valley.
Deep Creek Learning Center · 2047 Bridge Road, Schwenksville, PA. DCLC is not a tax advisor; please consult your accountant about your personal tax situation. Program details, minimums and deadlines are set by each scholarship fund and the PA Department of Community & Economic Development and may change.
