Georgia School Choice
Georgia offers the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program to support personalized school choice opportunities for children with disabilities. In 2025, Georgia launched its first Education Savings Account program, the Georgia Promise Scholarship, which provides $6,500 annually to eligible families zoned for low-performing schools to customize their child’s education through private schools, tutoring, therapy, curriculum, or homeschooling. Georgia also offers tax-credit scholarships (averaging $4,400, up to $12,857), and 96 state-authorized charter schools serving over 64,000 students. Approximately 30% of eligible K-12 students participate in school choice programs statewide.
Georgia Promise Scholarship
The Georgia Promise Scholarship, passed in 2024, is an Education Savings Account (ESA) initiative that gives families greater flexibility in customizing their child’s education. Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, eligible students in Georgia can receive state funds to pay for approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, therapy, curriculum, and more. Designed to prioritize students in the greatest need, the program will be expanded gradually.
Georgia Special Needs Scholarship
The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship provides funding for K-12 private schools in Georgia for children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or most children with a 504 plan. Students must have attended one year of Georgia K-12 public school to qualify or have attended a Georgia special needs preschool or received related services under an IEP. Waivers are available for children with medical or behavioral needs, military dependents, or those adopted from foster care. This program empowers families to choose educational environments that best meet their children’s unique needs.
Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit
Georgia’s PEACH Education Tax Credit (formerly known as the Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit) allows businesses to receive tax credits for their donations to scholarship organizations. These scholarships provide another Georgia school choice option to help students attend private schools, funded through private business donations rather than automatically allocated public funds.
Choosing the Right Program for Your Family
Georgia’s school choice landscape offers diverse options serving different family needs and circumstances:
Families Seeking Private School Support
High income or additional funding desired: Tax-credit scholarships offer scholarships up to $12,857 depending on SSO funding (average $4,400). No income limit; based on demonstrated financial need.
Low-moderate income and student in low-performing school: Georgia Promise Scholarship ($6,500 annually) may provide the most accessible option. Priority given to families earning ≤400% FPL.
Student has a disability: Special Needs Scholarship provides funding equal to state per-pupil amount (~$6,821), regardless of income. Year-round applications, no enrollment cap.
Families Transferring from Public Schools
Desire innovation and flexibility: Explore state charter schools (no income/academic requirements; free; open enrollment with lottery if oversubscribed). 85% outperform surrounding district schools.
Prefer to stay within traditional public system: Intra-district or inter-district transfers allow enrollment in other district schools. Free with no tuition.
Want specialized program focus: Magnet schools offer theme-based curricula but may have competitive admissions based on academics.
Homeschooling Families
Georgia Promise Scholarship funds can cover curriculum, tutoring, and specialized services for homeschoolers if eligible for the program. Homeschool families do NOT need to use scholarship programs; homeschooling is an independent educational choice regulated by submitting a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education annually (within 30 days of starting and by September 1st each year).
Families Seeking Free Public Alternatives
Charter schools are always free, require no testing, and do not charge tuition. Traditional public school transfers (intra-district/inter-district) are also free. Magnet schools are free (within public school system).
Students with Special Education Needs
Georgia Special Needs Scholarship provides funding (~$6,821) to attend private or alternative public schools. Charter schools are also required to serve students with disabilities and comply with IDEA and Section 504. Traditional public school transfers may also be an option, depending on services available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “school choice” include in Georgia?
School choice in Georgia includes charter schools, private schools funded through scholarships or ESAs, public school transfers (within or between districts), magnet schools, homeschooling, and online schools. Not all options require funding; some (charter schools, traditional public transfers) are free public options.
How much will school choice programs cost my family?
Charter schools, magnet schools, and public school transfers are free (no tuition or program fees). Private schools can range from $5,000–$25,000+ annually in tuition; scholarships and ESAs help offset these costs but may not cover full tuition. The Georgia Promise Scholarship ($6,500 annually) typically covers partial to full tuition at many participating private schools.
Is my child eligible for the Georgia Promise Scholarship?
Your child may be eligible if: (1) they live in the attendance zone of a low-performing public school (bottom 25% statewide), (2) they have been enrolled in a Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters OR are entering kindergarten, and (3) your family has lived in Georgia for at least one year. Use the pre-screen tool at MyGeorgiaPromise.org to verify eligibility.
What if my family income is above 400% of the federal poverty level?
There is no income limit to participate in the Georgia Promise Scholarship unless applications exceed available funding. In that case, families earning above 400% FPL (approximately $125,000 for a family of four) are considered for enrollment in a second priority window, after lower-income applicants. Tax-credit scholarships and special needs scholarships have no income limits.
Can my child attend a charter school while using a scholarship program?
No. Charter schools are public schools and cannot accept student scholarship funds. If your child uses a Georgia Promise Scholarship or tax-credit scholarship, they must disenroll from public school (including charter schools) and attend a private school, homeschool, or use approved service providers like tutoring.
How do I know which program is right for my child?
Consider (1) your family income and the amount of support needed, (2) whether your child has special education needs, (3) whether you prefer a public option (charter school) or private option, and (4) whether your school zone qualifies for the Promise Scholarship. Start by exploring options through your school district, State Charter Schools Commission (scsc.georgia.gov), and MyGeorgiaPromise.org.
What happens if my child doesn’t get into a charter school (lottery)?
If more students apply than seats available, charter schools conduct a random lottery. Families not selected are placed on a waitlist in the order they were drawn during the lottery. Waitlisted families are notified and remain on the list if space becomes available during the school year or in future years.
If my child has special education needs, what are my options?
Your child is eligible for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, which provides funding equal to the state per-pupil amount (~$6,821) to attend a private or alternative public school. Charter schools are also required to serve students with disabilities and comply with IDEA and Section 504. Traditional public school transfers may also be an option.
Does homeschooling count as school choice?
Yes. Homeschooling is a recognized educational option in Georgia. Families must file a Declaration of Intent annually with the Georgia Department of Education (within 30 days of starting and by September 1st each year). Homeschooling families can use the Georgia Promise Scholarship (if eligible) to pay for curriculum, tutoring, and specialized services.
Can I combine public and private school options?
No. If a student receives a scholarship (Georgia Promise, tax-credit, or special needs), they must disenroll from public school to participate. Students in public school use publicly funded per-pupil dollars and cannot simultaneously access scholarship programs. However, families can use public school transfers without affecting eligibility for future scholarships.
How do I enroll my child in a school choice program?
Georgia Promise Scholarship: Apply online at MyGeorgiaPromise.org during designated application windows. Tax-Credit Scholarship: Contact participating schools or SSOs. Special Needs Scholarship: Submit application to Georgia Department of Education (GOSA). Charter Schools: Contact individual schools or visit scsc.georgia.gov. Public School Transfers: Contact your home school district.
Are charter schools free?
Yes. Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free public schools. They do not charge tuition or fees.
What if my child is entering kindergarten?
Rising kindergarten students are eligible for the Georgia Promise Scholarship without the requirement of two consecutive semesters in Georgia public schools. This makes the ESA accessible for families starting their child’s education journey.
Can I use the Georgia Promise Scholarship for homeschooling?
Yes, if you are eligible for the program. Georgia Promise Scholarship funds can cover curriculum, tutoring, and specialized services for homeschoolers. You must still file a Declaration of Intent to homeschool with the Georgia Department of Education.