Atlanta, Georgia, September 18, 2025
News Summary
Thousands of Georgians will benefit from the new promise scholarship program, which supports private K-12 education with a $55 million taxpayer-funded allocation. About 8,500 students have been approved to receive funds, which can be used for various educational expenses. The program aims to enhance educational choice despite criticism regarding its impact on public schools and its restrictions on eligibility. A future program, My Georgia Promise, is set to significantly expand eligibility for more students in the coming years.
Atlanta, Georgia – Thousands of Georgians will soon utilize a state subsidy designed to support private K-12 education, with the first quarterly payouts beginning this month. The program, known as the “promise scholarship,” approved about 8,500 out of over 15,000 student applications. The state is set to allocate around $55 million in taxpayer dollars, significantly lower than the $141 million budgeted for the current school year.
To qualify for the subsidy, students must typically have spent a year in one of nearly 500 low-performing public schools. However, rising kindergartners can bypass this requirement and qualify without previously attending a public school due to a provision in last year’s legislation. A third of the scholarship recipients will be kindergarteners; nearly half will be in elementary school, with the remainder in grades 7-12.
Families can spend scholarship funds on various education-related expenses, with two-thirds planning to use it for tuition. Additional allowable expenses include homeschooling costs, tutoring, therapy, and curriculum materials. Critics argue these vouchers primarily benefit wealthier families who can afford the gap between the voucher amount and private school tuition, often exceeding $10,000.
Supporters, including Republican lawmakers, argue that public schools will not be harmed by losing the funding for students opting for vouchers since they won’t have to educate those students. Approximately 75% of scholarship recipients are classified as “lower-income,” coming from households at or below four times the federal poverty level. Demographics indicate that half of the recipients are Black and a third are white.
The two metro Atlanta school districts expected to lose the most students to these vouchers are DeKalb County (nearly 900 recipients) and Henry County (approximately 800 recipients). Other districts losing significant numbers include Bibb County (nearly 600), Richmond County (around 500), and Savannah-Chatham County (more than 400).
Low participation rates have potential explanations including a lack of awareness about the program and skepticism regarding its benefits. Only 56% of applicants achieved approval, suggesting that many do not reside near an eligible public school as required. The eligibility criteria were criticized as too restrictive, particularly concerning address-related requirements.
Legislation supporters believe that the loss of state funding for public schools won’t negatively impact them due to reduced educational costs from students leaving. The program aims to enhance educational choice within Georgia’s education system amidst ongoing concerns about reading proficiency and educational justice.
A new program called My Georgia Promise, beginning in 2025, will expand eligibility significantly, potentially applying to over 400,000 students. Current estimates suggest that with a funding cap of $144 million, only about 22,000 vouchers can be economically supported under the new program. There is an open discussion among legislators about revising eligibility provisions to control the program’s reach before the program commences in July 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the promise scholarship program?
Thousands of Georgians will soon utilize a state subsidy designed to support private K-12 education, with the first quarterly payouts beginning this month.
How many student applications were approved?
The program, known as the “promise scholarship,” approved about 8,500 out of over 15,000 student applications.
How much funding is allocated for the program?
The state is set to allocate around $55 million in taxpayer dollars, significantly lower than the $141 million budgeted for the current school year.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To qualify for the subsidy, students must typically have spent a year in one of nearly 500 low-performing public schools. Rising kindergartners can bypass this requirement and qualify without previously attending a public school due to a provision in last year’s legislation.
What can families use the scholarship funds for?
Families can spend scholarship funds on various education-related expenses, with two-thirds planning to use it for tuition. Additional allowable expenses include homeschooling costs, tutoring, therapy, and curriculum materials.
What are some demographic details about the scholarship recipients?
Approximately 75% of scholarship recipients are classified as “lower-income,” coming from households at or below four times the federal poverty level. Demographics indicate that half of the recipients are Black and a third are white.
When will the new program, My Georgia Promise, begin?
A new program called My Georgia Promise, beginning in 2025, will expand eligibility significantly, potentially applying to over 400,000 students.
Key Features of the Promise Scholarship Program
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Approved Applications | 8,500 out of 15,000+ applications |
| Funding Allocation | $55 million for the program |
| Eligibility Requirements | Typically, a year in a low-performing public school; exceptions for kindergartners |
| Primary Usages of Funds | Tuition (2/3), tutoring, homeschooling costs, therapy |
| Demographics of Recipients | 75% lower-income; 50% Black, 33% white |
| Future Program | My Georgia Promise starting in 2025, potentially covering 400,000 students |
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Additional Resources
- K12 Dive: Week in Review
- Augusta Chronicle: Georgia’s New Voucher Program
- AJC: School Choice Expansion Benefits
- Wikipedia: Education in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Impact of Vouchers on Education
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
