As more states push to expand education choice and modernize how they fund schooling, the one-size-fits-all approach to program administration is becoming obsolete. That’s the gap Student First Technologies (SFT) aims to fill by leveraging hard-won experience from complex government programs to deliver technology and operational support that adapts to each state’s distinct legislative and administrative landscape.
BLOOMINGTON, IN, UNITED STATES, November 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — With states moving to expand education choice opportunities and modernize education funding programs, Student First Technologies (SFT) is tapping into its own background supporting government-run initiatives. The company is promoting a more adaptable method—one that acknowledges that every state program comes with its own unique demands and deserves technology and operational support built around those needs.
From education savings accounts (ESAs) to scholarship programs and other publicly funded education efforts, states wrestle with different legislative requirements, administrative frameworks, funding models, compliance duties, and expectations for serving families and education providers. Making these programs work requires more than just a technology platform—it demands a partner that can adjust its technology, rollout strategy, and operational support to the specific requirements of each program.
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“Education funding programs are evolving, and states need technology partners that understand the differences between their programs and are prepared to adapt quickly and accordingly,” said Forrest Fowler, CEO of SFT. “We don’t believe in forcing every program into the same technology or operating model. Our approach is to understand what each program is designed to accomplish, determine how the state wants to manage its operations, and configure our platform and services around those decisions.”
To that end, SFT gives states two distinct ways to deploy its Theodore platform. This lets program administrators decide the division of labor that best fits their organizational structure, administrative capabilities, and operational goals. States can either license the platform and handle program operations in-house, with Theodore configured to match the specific legislation, rules, and requirements governing their program. Alternatively, they can bring SFT in for an implementation partnership that covers platform configuration, onboarding, staff training, program operations, and customer support through the company’s U.S.-based team.
Some states have built up administrative teams and prefer to keep direct control over daily program operations. Others, however, want a more comprehensive partnership that brings additional implementation know-how and ongoing operational support. Instead of forcing states into a preset service model, SFT adjusts its technology and level of involvement to fit the program’s needs. This flexibility lets states use their existing resources, set the division of responsibilities that works best for their teams, and bring in extra expertise where necessary—all while using a technology platform designed to support their specific program requirements.
SFT’s approach comes from lessons learned over several years of supporting complex, state-administered education choice programs. Those experiences drove home the importance of careful implementation planning, thorough testing, adequate staffing and training, effective stakeholder coordination, and operational readiness.
The company has turned those lessons into ongoing investments in its technology, organizational structure, and operational capabilities to better support programs from initial implementation through ongoing administration.
SFT brought in MojoTech, a nationally recognized software development firm whose clients include MoneyLion, Fiserv, Credit Karma, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna, to help with further platform development and extensive user and load testing. That engagement helped strengthen the platform’s reliability, scalability, performance, and overall user experience.
The company is also now backed by Elmore Companies with capital and advisory services to support continued growth and scale. At the same time, SFT tripled its team to more than 50 members, including full-time employees as well as full-time and fractional industry-expert contractors. This expanded organizational capacity strengthens the company’s ability to support platform development, program implementation, customer service, and ongoing operations. SFT continues to grow its team and technical capabilities, supported by strong candidate interest and a robust talent pipeline, to meet the evolving needs of state partners and a growing education choice marketplace.
A concrete example of SFT’s capabilities is its role as program manager for West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship, one of the country’s most expansive education choice programs. The program served 14,486 students during the 2025-2026 school year, marking nearly 38% growth over the previous year. According to the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, the 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Parent Satisfaction Survey found that 96% of responding families reported overall satisfaction with the program.
Supporting a program of that scale and continued growth requires technology and operational infrastructure capable of handling diverse educational needs, participating families, and education providers. The high parent satisfaction rate further underscores the importance of delivering an accessible, responsive, and reliable program experience as participation expands.
“Every program has its own vision for education choice, and our responsibility is to provide the technology and operational capabilities to help bring that vision to life,” said Fowler. “Our experience has taught us that successful programs require flexibility, preparation and a commitment to continuous improvement. We have made meaningful investments in all three, and we are excited about what that means for the states and families we serve.”
Beyond state ESA programs, SFT also supports public school students. The company has helped administer high-impact tutoring programs and family grants designed to expand equity and access in public school districts. Looking ahead, Student First is partnering with several public school district Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) to prepare for the launch of the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program in 2027. These SGOs will focus exclusively on serving public school students, providing funding for eligible education services such as high-impact tutoring and after-school care.
This work reflects SFT’s broader commitment to providing adaptable technology and administrative solutions that support diverse education funding models and expand opportunities for students, regardless of the type of program or educational setting.
As education funding programs continue to evolve, SFT remains focused on being a long-term partner to state administrators and SGOs, providing adaptable technology, implementation expertise, and operational support that can grow alongside the programs it serves.
Why it matters: The success of state education choice programs hinges on technology and operations that can bend to local rules and realities, not the other way around. SFT’s flexible approach and proven track record—exemplified by West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship—show that tailoring systems to each state’s unique design can drive both high satisfaction and rapid growth, offering a roadmap for the expanding school choice landscape.
About Student First Technologies
Student First Technologies is a financial technology company on the forefront of building and implementing education funding programs nationwide. SFT helps administer Tax Credit Scholarships, Education Savings Accounts, and Microgrants for scholarship granting organizations, state agencies, nonprofits, and schools nationwide. SFT has helped more than 300,000 students with access to over $1.3 billion in education funding. To learn more about Student First Technologies, visit www.studentfirsttech.com.
Student First Technologies is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Member FDIC.
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