Empowering Georgia families to pursue
exceptional educational programs
Signed into law in 2024, through Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program is aimed to empower families to pursue exceptional educational programs through nonpublic schooling, including private school and home study. Should eligible families choose to leave public school (or forgo attending as a new kindergartener) to participate, the Georgia Promise Scholarship will allow families to use funds for private school tuition and fees, required textbooks, tutoring services, curriculum, physician/therapist services, transportation services, and other approved expenses.
Click buttons below to download current program details
Ensures Georgia students and their families have the flexibility to access educational programs that best meet their needs.
Gives parents more opportunity to influence and customize their child’s educational path, when they decide local public school is not the best fit.
The Georgia Education Savings Authority (GESA) will ensure a seamless and responsive customer experience to support families, schools, and providers.
GESA will administer the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program including managing program funds and maintaining program integrity, efficiency and sustainability as intended by the Georgia General Assembly.
Students must be currently enrolled in a Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters or be rising kindergarten students.
The online application portal opens in early 2025. Initial funding will be available on or after July 1, 2025.
Up to $6,500 per student for the first year (2025-2026 academic year). Administrative fee may apply.
Parents will be notified of student participation following the completion of the student application window in early 2025. Additional information on the application timeline and process will be made available as soon as possible.
A student who has been enrolled in a Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters, OR is a rising kindergarten student, AND:
GESA will verify information and documentation submitted by students or parents when applying for / receiving funds that is necessary to confirm meeting eligibility requirements. This will be done through a platform vendor.
A student is ineligible for the Georgia Promise Scholarship if they receive a Georgia Student Scholarship Organization Scholarship.
Applications from Private Schools may be Submitted November 20 – December 6, 2024
Download current program regulations here.
Private school applications may be accepted until December 6, 2024.
Eligible school districts that determine student eligibility are released.
Students will be able to apply for the Georgia Promise Scholarship.
Private schools may receive the first quarterly payments.
To enroll participating students, schools MUST:
No. Participating schools are not required to alter creed, current practices, admission policies, employment policies, or curricula in order to receive account funds as part of the Promise Scholarship Program.
Participating schools are required to annually administer a nationally norm-referenced test approved by GESA or a state-wide assessment only to participating students.
Private schools may participate in multiple scholarship programs; however, a student is ineligible for the Georgia Promise Scholarship if they receive the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship or the Georgia Student Scholarship Organization Scholarship.
Scholarship funds may be used for the following qualified education expenses: tuition, fees, and required textbooks for eligible core courses at participating private schools; qualifying curriculum and supplemental materials; tutoring services provided by an educator certified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission; eligible services from a physician or licensed therapist for occupational, behavioral, physical, or speech-language therapies; transportation from/to a service provider (up to $500 per year); other authorized expenses approved by GESA.
By December 1st of each year, the Office of Student Achievement will publish a list of eligible school districts.
The initial funding of approved student accounts will be at the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year. Funding will be disbursed in quarterly payments thereafter through an online platform.
Parents will be notified of student participation following the completion of the student application window in early 2025.
Students in the program remain eligible to receive funds until returning to a public school, graduating from high school, or reaching the age of 20. Special education students may stay in the program until age 21.
Empower families to pursue exceptional educational programs
Support families by providing them with the information they need to make decisions
Create a seamless and responsive customer experience for families, schools, and providers
Embrace fiscal accountability and transparency to ensure responsible stewardship of public funds
Maintain the highest standard of integrity to the law and the community