Montgomery, Ala. (WDNews) – Alabama families can now apply for the CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account (ESA) program, Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday. The program, aimed at supporting K-12 students statewide, is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year through April 7, 2025. Families will receive award notifications in May 2025.
“Alabama families can start the new year with a great opportunity for school choice in their communities,” said Governor Ivey. “The CHOOSE Act will help our Alabama students receive the highest-quality education possible by giving greater flexibility to families to pursue educational options that meet their individual needs. It is a wonderful opportunity to make the future of Alabama stronger than ever.”
The program, managed by the Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR), provides ESAs for eligible students to cover expenses like tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and more through approved education service providers (ESPs). Funding includes:
$7,000 per student enrolled in a participating school.
$2,000 per student enrolled in a home education program, capped at $4,000 per family.
In its first year, 500 ESAs will be prioritized for students with special needs. A second priority will go to dependents of active-duty service members in or assigned to a priority school. Remaining ESAs will be awarded based on family income, limited to 300% of the federal poverty level (e.g., $93,600 for a family of four).
Once approved, students can begin using ESA funds for eligible expenses starting July 2025.
Families can apply now at the program’s website, which includes detailed information, eligibility requirements, and resources for parents and education providers. For more details, visit chooseact.alabama.gov.
