Augusta, GA – Applications are set to open soon for Georgia’s Promise Scholarship Program, a new initiative offering private school tuition vouchers to students from low-performing public schools across the state. The program, which aims to improve educational opportunities for students in struggling districts, will provide eligible students with a voucher worth $6,500 to use for private school tuition, textbooks, transportation, tutoring, and more.

The scholarship program targets students who are enrolled in schools listed as among the lowest-performing 25% in Georgia. However, in a key interpretation by the Georgia Education Savings Authority, eligibility extends to all students residing in the attendance zones of those schools, even if they don’t directly attend the specific low-performing institution. This means that every student in Richmond County, where 42 schools have been flagged as low-performing, will be eligible for the program.

According to the rules, students can apply if they meet the following criteria:

• They are currently enrolled in a Georgia public school for the 2024-2025 academic year or are entering kindergarten in 2025-2026.
• They live in the attendance zone of a school listed as low-performing on the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement’s published list.
• Their parents have lived in Georgia for at least one year, or they are children of active-duty military members.
• They are not currently recipients of other Georgia-based scholarship programs, such as the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship.

While the program has garnered support from many, including Republican leaders who have endorsed it as a way to give families more educational choices, it has also sparked controversy. House Education Committee Chair Chris Erwin has expressed concern that the broad eligibility criteria—particularly the inclusion of students who may not attend the low-performing schools—were not what lawmakers intended. Erwin has hinted at potentially introducing legislation to tighten the eligibility, but it remains unclear whether the state Senate, which has been more supportive of voucher programs, would back such a move.

The law governing the program places a cap on funding at $141 million, which is roughly 1% of the state’s funding formula for public schools. This amount is expected to cover approximately 22,000 vouchers. However, with over 1.75 million public school students in Georgia, there is concern that demand for the vouchers could far exceed the available funds. If that happens, students from households earning less than four times the federal poverty level—roughly $100,000 for a family of three—will be given priority. Should there still be more applicants than funds, a random statewide drawing will determine who receives the vouchers.

The scholarships can be used for more than just private school tuition. Funds can also be allocated to other educational expenses such as textbooks, home-schooling supplies, therapy, or even early college courses for high school students. The wide array of eligible uses makes the program appealing to many families seeking flexibility in their children’s education.

Despite the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program’s more limited scope compared to universal voucher programs in states like Arizona, Florida, Iowa, and Ohio, the state’s voucher system still represents a significant shift. If the program proves popular, there could be pressure on lawmakers to expand eligibility or increase funding. For now, the program remains a focal point of debate in Georgia, reflecting the broader national conversation on school choice and funding.

As applications prepare to open, all eyes will be on how Georgia navigates the challenges of funding, eligibility, and the growing demand for educational vouchers in the coming months.