Georgia Launches $6,500 Promise Scholarship Program

Students engaging in educational activities supported by scholarships.

News Summary

The Georgia General Assembly has announced the Promise Scholarship Program, allowing eligible families to apply for a $6,500 scholarship starting March 1. This program aims to ease costs for private school tuition and homeschooling, providing financial support to over 22,000 families across the state. The funds can be used for various educational expenses, including tutoring and educational materials. With strict eligibility criteria and a lottery system for funding allocation, this initiative represents a significant step toward expanding educational options for children in Georgia.

Exciting News for Georgia Parents: The $6,500 Scholarship Program Launches Soon!

Attention, parents in Georgia! If you’re looking for a way to help cover the costs of private school tuition or homeschooling expenses, you’re in for a treat! The state has just announced the launch of the Promise Scholarship Program, which offers a generous $6,500 scholarship to eligible students. Get ready to mark your calendars because applications will officially open on March 1!

What’s the Deal with the Promise Scholarship?

The newly established program by the Georgia General Assembly aims to provide financial support to families, helping alleviate the expenses associated with education. With a funding cap of $144 million, this means there’s potential for over 22,000 scholarships to be distributed to deserving families.

So, what exactly can the scholarship be used for? Great question! The funds can be applied towards private school tuition, homeschooling costs, tutoring services, and even educational materials like textbooks and transportation. It’s a fantastic opportunity for families seeking alternative educational paths for their kids.

Which Schools are Eligible?

400 schools across the state qualify for this exciting scholarship program. This list includes schools from the Atlanta Public Schools district, DeKalb County, Clayton County, Gwinnett County, Fulton County, and Cobb County. So whether you live in a bustling city or a quieter county, there’s likely a school nearby that’s eligible.

Who Can Apply?

Attended a Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters, or be a rising kindergartner.
Be zoned for one of the schools featured on the Promise School List.
Have parents or guardians who’ve been Georgia residents for at least one year. (There are exceptions for active-duty military families.)

But there’s a catch! If the number of applications exceeds the available funding, priority will be given to families with incomes less than four times the federal poverty level, which is roughly $100,000 for a family of three. Should it come down to it, a lottery system will be employed to determine scholarship recipients.

How and When to Apply

March 1 and continuing with additional windows in June, September, and December. Families can expect to be notified about their eligibility early in 2025, with funding to be available for the 2025-2026 academic year starting July 1.

Quality Education for All

Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) will supervise this scholarship program, ensuring it serves its purpose of giving every child the opportunity for a quality education. An updated list of eligible schools and a calculation guide detailing how schools were deemed eligible are accessible on the GOSA website for those following along.

It’s also essential to note that this scholarship cannot be combined with other state scholarships, like the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship or the Georgia Student Organization Scholarship.

The Bigger Picture

1.75 million students enrolled in Georgia’s public schools and over 771 private schools, this scholarship is a significant step towards providing more educational options for families in the state. As this program rolls out, it highlights a commitment to supporting parents and children in their educational journeys.