Georgia Scholarships for Private Schools
Did you know that there are scholarships for students coming from any Georgia preschools or K-12 public schools to help them to attend private and faith-based schools?
The Georgia Private School Tax Credit law, House Bill 1133, allows eligible private citizens and corporations to receive tax credits for donations to Georgia Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs).
SSOs provide student scholarships to parents that will help cover the cost of a private school education for their children in the state of Georgia.
Through a Georgia tax credit program, tuition scholarships are available to children who desire to attend private K-12 schools. Only students who are Georgia residents enrolled in a Georgia primary or secondary public school or who are eligible to enroll in a qualified kindergarten program or pre-kindergarten program can receive these scholarships. When applying to a participating school for receipt of a these scholarships, families must provide proof of eligibility.
The participating schools recommend a student to receive a Scholarship. Parents or guardians should contact one of the participating schools to apply for admission to the school and to inquire whether their children would be eligible to receive this scholarship. It is up to the private school to design its own financial aid and application process. Prior to enrollment of the student at the private school, school officials will submit a scholarship recommendation to the Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) for its consideration and approval.
Under Georgia law, there are no limits on the amount of the scholarships that can be awarded to eligible students. Also, there are no limits on the household income of the families receiving scholarships. Thus, through a Georgia tax credit program, officials will consider all reasonable scholarship recommendations submitted by our participating schools. However, SSOs have different guidelines for their specific scholarship programs, and tax return information may be required.
Qualified schools are private schools (grades K-12) that meet the following criteria:
- Accredited or in the process of becoming accredited by one or more accreditation agencies:
Association of Christian Schools International
Georgia Accrediting Commission
Georgia Association of Christian Schools
Georgia Private School Accreditation Council
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Independent Schools - Physically located in Georgia
- Adheres to the provisions of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964; and
- Satisfies the private school requirements prescribed in Georgia state law
Resources
- Read more about Georgia House Bill 1133 (PDF)
- Click here to access the list of approved Student Scholarship Organizations (SSO). Then click on the individual SSO’s website or call to find the names of the schools associated with that SSO. (PDF)
- October 15, 2010 Atlanta Journal/Constitution article about student scholarships offered through HB 1133.
