(The Center Square) – St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School won an appeal to receive $30,000 in scholarships through Wisconsin’s Special Needs Scholarship Program.

The Wisconsin Department of Instruction initially denied the school’s request for the school choice funding for three students but the scholarships were awarded after the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed a legal appeal of the ruling.

“DPI’s previously held position jeopardized critical funding for St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School and their ability to help students in need,” associate counsel Lauren Greuel of the institute said in a statement, “WILL continues to assist choice schools receive the support owed to them by the Wisconsin state law.”

The special needs scholarship program helps to fund 3,000 students with disabilities that attend private schools in the state.

“Our school followed all protocols and procedures to receive this funding,” said St. Paul’s Lutheran School Principal Jill M. George. “It’s why we were shocked to learn DPI was holding onto over $30,000 in special needs scholarship funding. Without WILL’s involvement, we would have no idea where to go next.”