MONTGOMERY – The window of opportunity to take advantage of the state’s school choice program is closing.
According to Gov. Kay Ivey, the application period for the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act – the new education savings account (ESA) initiative – will close at midnight April 7. Applications opened in January.
Related story: CHOOSE Act applications open for families of K-12 students
“Taxpaying Alabama families want school choice, and our ESA program, the CHOOSE Act is providing that unique opportunity,” said Ivey. “This program gives Alabama students greater flexibility to pursue educational options that meet their individual needs.
“I urge eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity and apply before the April 7 deadline.”
The CHOOSE Act was signed into law in March 2024 and provides $100 million in annual ESA funding for eligible Alabama families through the Alabama Department of Revenue.
Eligible families can apply online for educational funding for the 2025-2026 school year. This funding can help pay for school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies and other qualified education expenses at approved education service providers (ESPs).
Funding includes:
- $7,000 per eligible student enrolled in a participating school
- $2,000 per participating student enrolled in a home education program (maximum of $4,000 per family)
Alabama families must apply by April 7 through the CHOOSE Act program website. The site has additional information and resources about the program, including eligibility information, FAQs and detailed guides for parents and ESPs.
Since applications opened in January, more than 27,000 students representing every county have applied.
If approved for funding, families will be notified in May and students can begin using their ESA funds for approved expenses in July.
In the initial year of the program (2025-26), the first 500 ESAs will be awarded to students with special needs, with a second priority awarded to participating students who are dependents of active-duty service members enrolled in or assigned to a priority school.
The remaining ESAs will be based on each family’s adjusted gross income, not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty level for the preceding tax year (e.g., a family of four making less than $93,600 would qualify for funding).
For more information, visit chooseact.alabama.gov.
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