Montgomery, Ala. (WDNews) — Millions of dollars set aside for Alabama’s school choice program remain unused as a key deadline approaches.
About $15.6 million in CHOOSE Act funding is still sitting in family ClassWallet accounts, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue. The state initially allocated $100 million for the program’s first year and is now considering increasing that to $250 million by 2027-28.
The funds were made available to more than 23,000 students, with each eligible for up to $7,000 in education savings accounts. Families can use the money for private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, therapy and other approved educational services.
Despite that flexibility, some parents report difficulty getting certain expenses approved. Bailey Winters, a Pike County parent who homeschools two children, said many families have used part of their funds but are struggling to access the rest.
“There’s only so much paper and colored pencils that I need,” Winters said. “If I have $2,000 to spend on resources, I want curriculum.”
State rules require the money to be spent through approved private schools or education service providers, limiting how some families can use the funds. Winters said she has worked to get more homeschool options approved.
Officials say some families may also be waiting to use the funds later for tuition, textbooks or other larger expenses.
Families have until June 30 to spend the remaining balance. Any unused money will return to the state’s CHOOSE Act fund.
