Alabama School Choice Programs
Alabama families can access up to $7,000 per student through the CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account program for private school tuition or up to $2,000 for homeschooling. The Accountability Act provides refundable tax credits for families transferring from priority public schools. New applications for the 2026-2027 school year open January 2, 2026. Income limits apply through 2027, with families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level ($93,600 for a family of four) receiving priority funding.
Alabama Accountability Act of 2013: Parent-Taxpayer Refundable Tax Credits
This program provides refundable tax credits to parents transferring their children from priority public schools to qualifying public or private schools. The credits cover up to 80% of the state’s per-student spending or the actual cost of attending a private school.
Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Student' Education (CHOOSE) Tax Credit
The CHOOSE Act was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey on March 7, 2024 and makes education savings accounts (ESAs) available to K-12 students in Alabama. ESAs may be used by eligible families to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at approved education service providers (ESPs).
Charter Schools in Alabama
Alabama allows publicly funded charter schools that operate independently from traditional public school districts. Charter schools offer innovative educational approaches, specialized curricula, and increased flexibility in teaching methods while remaining tuition-free and open to all students through lottery-based enrollment.
Educational Scholarship Program - Business Tax Credit Scholarships
Alabama’s Educational Scholarship Program provides tax credits to businesses that donate to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These scholarships help Alabama families afford private school tuition.
Unlike direct state programs, this initiative relies on business contributions to fund scholarships distributed by SGOs. Families apply directly through participating scholarship organizations.