The CHOOSE Act, or Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act of 2024, will provide eligible families with as much as $7,000 in state money through education savings accounts for private school tuition or costs at a participating school. Parents could also get up to $2,000 for home school expenses. Families can find more information about the program at chooseact.alabama.gov.
Alabama is among the states that are using vouchers, tax credits or scholarships to parents to help families pay for private school or education costs outside of the public school setting. Alabama lawmakers approved the program in March. The funds will be available to families for the 2025-2026 school year.
The program is initially open only to families with an adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, or $77,460 for a family of three. The income limit will go away in 2027. Students with disabilities, military families and lower income families will get priority for the funds.
Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey called for the passage of the bill in her State of the State address last year. Republican lawmakers who championed the bill said it will provide an option to parents, particularly those zoned for low-performing schools. Opposed lawmakers said the program will take money away from public schools. They also questioned how much low-income families will benefit since private school tuition is often significantly more than $7,000.
Families have until April 7 to apply for the next school year.
