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 current UFA program manager, ACE Scholarships, will officially end on May 16, 2025. The state is now in the process of selecting a new program manager to oversee:

• Application processing
• Fund disbursement
• Provider classification
• Ongoing program compliance

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The new program manager will play a crucial role in interpreting the law and deciding which providers—like microschools, online academies, and hybrid models—fit into which category. So while the law is passed and in effect, some of the implementation details are still being finalized. That’s where a lot of the current confusion and uncertainty is coming from—and it’s totally valid.

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But don’t worry. We’re tracking every update, and we’re here to help you navigate it all.

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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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Where Microschools Fit In (Including Prenda)

Many families in Utah (and across the country) are embracing microschools as a powerful new way to educate their children.

At their core, microschools are small, relationship-driven learning environments often hosted in homes or community spaces, led by a trusted adult who’s there to support, guide, and empower students. Most microschools meet together four to five days a week. They all offer structure, support, belonging, purpose, and community, while maintaining the flexibility that traditional schools don’t always allow. 

For students who don’t thrive in large traditional classrooms—or for families who want more voice and agency in their child’s learning—microschools can feel like a breath of fresh air.

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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.

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So…Is a Microschool a Private School?

At Prenda, we believe the answer is yes. Remember the definition from the statute—a private school is a “full-time, tuition bearing educational institution where the student receives the majority of the student’s academic instruction.”

Prenda microschools are the primary learning environment for students.  In their microschool, students receive instruction in core academic subjects and meet in person four or five days a week. Most families use their UFA scholarship to cover tuition, which averages between $6,000 and $7,000 per year. 

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✅Full-time

✅Tuition-bearing

✅Educational institution

✅Majority of the student’s academic instruction

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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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Our Interpretation of HB 455

Based on the structure of our learning model, we believe Prenda microschools align with the “private school” category outlined in HB 455. 

Why? We’ve done our homework.. 

• Prenda is tuition-based (families use UFA funds to pay for enrollment)
• Learning is led by a trained and background-checked guide
• Curriculum is structured, monitored, and managed by the Prenda platform
• Academic progress is tracked and reported

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But What If the Program Manager Decides Differently?

Let’s be real. Nothing is official until the new program manager is in place and guidance is released. We can’t guarantee anything yet. But based on everything we know about the law, the intent of the legislature, and how structured learning environments are typically treated—we’re feeling confident. We’re also committed to transparency. If things shift, you’ll hear it from us immediately, and we’ll help you adjust course if needed. 

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What Happens Next?

HB 455 is an official law, but many of the implementation details are still in motion. Here’s a quick timeline to help you understand what’s coming and when.

Timeline                   What’s Happening

Now–May 16         ACE Scholarships continues to manage the UFA program

Mid-May+              Utah State Board of Education will appoint a new program manager.

Summer 2025       New program manager will release updated guidance.

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The transition is a big deal—not just behind the scenes, but for real families making decisions right now about fall enrollment, budgeting, and learning environments. 

We understand that living in this “wait and see” window can be frustrating. But here’s the good news:

• You don’t have to press pause on planning.
• You don’t have to figure it out alone.
• And you definitely don’t have to read through the legislation or refresh the Utah Fits All website 12 times a day (we’ve got that covered).

Prenda is tracking this transition closely. We’re in ongoing conversations with education leaders, preparing documentation for various scenarios, and ensuring our enrollment process is flexible and transparent for families in the meantime.

As soon as the new program manager makes decisions about provider classification, we’ll be ready with answers, guidance, and action steps tailored to your situation.

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What You Can Do Right Now

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
   Why? Because if you miss the deadline, you miss the opportunity—regardless of your student’s category. Head over to the Utah Fits All Scholarship website and submit your application before the May 1 deadline. When you apply, select the “private school” option if you’re planning to enroll in a Prenda microschool. Based on the structure and support Prenda offers, we believe this designation aligns with the law’s intent.
   
   
2. Enroll in a Prenda microschool
   Why? Because Prenda is already enrolling for the 2025-26 school year, and spots are filling quickly. 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.

3. Check out our Prenda UFA webinar
   Why? Because you deserve more than just a blog post—you deserve real answers from real people. Hear directly from Prenda’s founder and CEO, Kelly Smith, in our short on-demand webinar about the UFA changes. You’ll get a clear explanation of the law, why we feel optimistic about the future of microschooling, and how we’re helping families navigate this moment.‍

Watch the webinar

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Final Thoughts: We’re In This With You

Let’s be honest, HB 455 brought a lot of change, and change—especially when it affects your child’s education and your family’s finances—is stressful. We’ve heard from so many parents who feel caught off guard, unsure of what to do next, and anxious about making the right choice with limited information. If that’s where you’re at right now, we see you.

But here’s the hopeful part:

• Utah is still investing in educational freedom
• Families still have real, meaningful options
• And if Prenda feels like the right fit for your family, we believe your student will qualify for the full UFA scholarship under the new guidelines

We say that not because we’re making a wild guess—but because we’ve read the law, we understand the structure, and we’ve spent years helping over a thousand people start microschools that meet and exceed the expectations of a high-quality, full-time education experience. 

Prenda microschools are:

• Rooted in connection and purpose
• Led by trained, caring guides
• Designed to nurture confidence, independence, and curiosity
• Flexible enough to meet kids where they are—and structured enough to help them grow

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That’s exactly the kind of learning environment the UFA program is meant to support. Utah families are looking for something that’s flexible and grounded, personalized and supported, safe and challenging. At Prenda, we’ve seen what happens when that balance is struck: kids thrive, families thrive, and communities grow stronger.

So if you’re navigating this shift with more questions than answers—just know, we’re right here beside you. 

Let’s move forward together—with clarity, courage, and community. 

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