The Loftus Trust Scholarship, through the Missouri District, is committed to helping families provide a Christ-centered education for their children attending K-8th grade at Lutheran schools throughout Missouri. This program is designed to assist families with the cost of tuition.

Who is eligible?

• Children in Kindergarten – 8th grade 
• Children enrolled in a Lutheran School in Missouri

Qualification Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship, families must meet the following requirement:

• The net tuition cost (after other financial aid is applied) must be 10% or more of the family’s total income from the most recent tax year.
• Students must be enrolled at a Lutheran school by May 1
• Application must be submitted by April 15
• Application must be complete/verified in FACTS by May 1. (all documents must be submitted by April 15 to allow FACTS time to review)

Important Note

The Loftus Trust Scholarship Program is not the same as the MO Scholars Program (via Missouri District) and have different eligibility requirements.

Questions?

Contact:

Maureen Gersman, email or call the LESA office 314-200-0790

Director of Scholarships & Operations

Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA)

Application Procedure for LESA and Loftus Trust tuition-assistance programs

1. Submit an online application 
2. Pay non-refundable application fee
3. Upload documents
   • Entire Federal 1040 Tax Return (including Schedules 1-5, C, K, E, etc. if applicable)
     • • Flow Chart of Tax Return Schedules
   • W2s
   • Non-taxable docs (SNAP, TANF, Child Support, Social Security, Housing, etc.)

Students must be enrolled by May 1 in K -8th grade at a Lutheran elementary school in order for the application to be reviewed in May. 

What to expect when completing the application?  Watch a FACTS Video

Tips on Uploading Documents to the LESA Application

Need Help?

• Call the LESA Office at 314-200-0790

• Email: mgersman@lesastl.org

• Call the FACTS Parent Help Line at 1-866-315-9262

Tuition Assistance Application Deadline – April 15 • Application complete/verified – May 1

Scholarship Application Deadline – April 15 • Application complete/verified – May 1

All documents must be submitted by April 15 in order for FACTS representatives to review them and mark your application as complete by May 1

1. All applications will be submitted ONLINE through FACTS

2. To submit an application, each applicant family is required to pay a $45 application fee (non-refundable). If parents of the student(s) are divorced, each household must submit an application.

3. Once your online application has been submitted, remember to immediately submit required income documentation to FACTS (most recent W-2’s and federal income tax form, as well as any other information the FACTS auditors request to confirm information submitted on the application) , following the instructions on the application screen. Income documents may be uploaded to your application using a scanner or mobile device.

4. Only applications submitted online by April 15 and are verified as “complete” by FACTS by May 1 will be considered for an award during the May award committee meeting.

5. If you have questions, please email Maureen Gersman or call 314-200-0790.

6. FACTS service representatives are available to answer questions on the FACTS online application or required documentation.  They may be reached at 866-315-9262 Monday – Thursday from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM or Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

7. Upon completion of application review and award determinations by the scholarship awards committees, school administrators and families will be notified of LESA and MO District Loftus Trust Scholarship award decisions by May 31 directly by the LESA office.

8. If a family has not received an award notification, the application has not been reviewed yet. The application may have been late or the student was not enrolled (per the school); therefore, the application is placed on a waitlist and will be reviewed if funding becomes available. Late applications will be reviewed in order of application completion date.

MOScholars Program

• LESA does not administer MOScholars, determine eligibility, or award MOScholars scholarships
• MOScholars provides financial assistance to eligible Missouri K–12 students attending participating private schools
• Families must apply through an approved Educational Assistance Organization (EAO) that partners with their child’s school. Ask your school which EAO serves their school.
• Eligibility may be based on household income, an IEP/ISP, or other program requirements.
• MOScholars is separate from LESA’s Tuition Assistance Program, so families interested in both programs must complete the appropriate applications separately.
• For current eligibility, participating schools, and application information, visit https://treasurer.mo.gov/MOScholars/

Federal Tax Credit Program

• LESA does not administer this program, determine family eligibility, or award these scholarships.
• Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible donors may receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that provide K–12 scholarships.
• Families interested in receiving a scholarship will apply directly through a participating SGO.
• This is a new program; therefore, participating SGOs, application procedures, deadlines, and eligible schools will be established as the program is implemented. Check back in January 2027 for more information.
• For more information, visit https://www.ed.gov/media/document/education-freedom-tax-credit-fact-sheet-113147.pdf