What MPCP payments were in 2017-18

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) in 2017-18 provided per-pupil funding to private schools that enrolled may be able to access students from Milwaukee. The payment amount varied by grade level and was set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction each year. Schools received this money directly from the state, not from families — parents paid no tuition for MPCP-participating schools if their household income fell within the program's limits.

The 2017-18 school year was one of several years when MPCP funding increased. The per-pupil payment covered most or all of a student's tuition at participating private schools, though some schools charged additional fees for materials, activities, or services beyond the state payment.

Key Takeaways

  • MPCP payments in 2017-18 went directly to private schools, not to families, and covered tuition for students whose household income met the program's income limits.
  • The payment amount differed by grade level, with higher amounts typically for older students.
  • Schools participating in MPCP could charge fees beyond the state payment for specific services or materials.
  • Families needed to reaffirm their participation each year, and income verification was required to remain in the program.

How the 2017-18 payment amounts were set

Wisconsin law required the Department of Public Instruction to calculate MPCP payments based on a percentage of the average per-pupil revenue of Milwaukee Public Schools. In 2017-18, the payment was set at a specific dollar amount per student, adjusted for grade level. Elementary students received one rate, middle school students a different rate, and high school students a third rate.

The state announced these amounts before the school year began so families and schools could plan. Unlike some years when funding remained flat, 2017-18 saw an increase from the previous year's payment, which meant schools could potentially expand their programs or adjust their own fees.

Income limits and who could receive MPCP payments

To receive MPCP funding in 2017-18, a student's household income had to fall at or below a percentage of the federal poverty line. That percentage was set by state law and applied the same way across all MPCP students. Families had to provide proof of income — typically tax returns, pay stubs, or other documentation — when they first enrolled and again each year to stay in the program.

Students also had to be Wisconsin residents and Milwaukee residents specifically. They could not have been enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools the previous year unless they were entering kindergarten or first grade, or unless they had been in MPCP the year before and were continuing.

What schools could charge beyond the MPCP payment

The state payment covered tuition, but schools could charge families additional fees for specific things. These might include uniforms, field trips, technology fees, sports participation, or before- and after-school care. Schools had to disclose these fees upfront so families knew the full cost before enrolling.

Some families found that even with MPCP covering tuition, additional fees made the total cost higher than they expected. It was important to ask schools directly about all costs during the enrollment process, not just the tuition amount the state would pay.

How families enrolled and stayed enrolled

Families interested in MPCP for 2017-18 had to apply during an open enrollment period set by the Department of Public Instruction. They chose a participating school, submitted income documentation, and confirmed they met all program requirements. Once enrolled, students could continue in MPCP as long as their household income remained within limits and they reaffirmed their participation each year.

Reaffirmation meant submitting updated income information annually. If a family's income rose above the limit, the student would no longer be funded by MPCP, though some schools allowed families to continue at their own expense. Families could also switch to a different MPCP school during open enrollment periods.

What happened to MPCP payments after 2017-18

The MPCP program continued after 2017-18, though payment amounts and income limits changed in subsequent years. If you are looking at historical information about 2017-18 because a student was enrolled then, or because you are researching how the program worked at that time, the amounts and rules from that year no longer apply to current enrollment.

Current MPCP information, including current payment amounts and income limits, is available through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website and through individual participating schools. Rules and funding levels shift year to year, so checking current resources is essential if you are considering MPCP for a student now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did MPCP payments cover all tuition in 2017-18?

The state payment covered tuition at most participating schools, but not always all of it. Some schools charged tuition higher than the MPCP payment and asked families to cover the difference. Schools also commonly charged additional fees for materials, activities, or services beyond tuition.

What if a family's income changed during the 2017-18 school year?

Income was verified once per year during enrollment or reaffirmation. If income changed mid-year, it typically did not affect funding for that school year. The new income level would be checked at the next reaffirmation period, usually before the following school year began.

Could a student stay in MPCP if the family moved out of Milwaukee?

No. MPCP required students to be Milwaukee residents. If a family moved outside Milwaukee, the student would no longer be funded by the program, though some schools might have allowed continued enrollment at the family's own expense.

How much was the MPCP payment per student in 2017-18?

The payment varied by grade level and was set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Specific dollar amounts from that year are available through the Department of Public Instruction archives or by contacting schools that participated in MPCP during 2017-18.