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How the EFTC Works

How the EFTC Works

The Education Freedom Tax Credit

Starting in 2027, a new federal tax credit lets you fund a scholarship for a child — and claim up to $1,700 back, dollar for dollar. Here’s exactly how it works.

Make a Donation

Starting in 2027, make a charitable contribution to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization like the AFC Scholarship Fund.

AFC Issues a Scholarship

The SGO awards a scholarship to a student who needs it.

A student gets funded

Funds help cover real education costs — tuition, tutoring, books, and more — putting the right educational opportunity within reach.

Up to $1,700 Tax Credit

When you file, you claim a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 — a credit, not a deduction.

VIDEO OVERVIEW

Watch our video to learn more about how the EFTC works.

Free • 30 seconds

Find out if you qualify for the Education Freedom Tax Credit

The Education Freedom Tax Credit gives eligible donors a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to qualifying K–12 scholarship organizations. Answer three quick questions to see if you qualify — and get an estimate of your credit.

  • Check your eligibility in under a minute
  • See your estimated credit amount instantly
  • Free, with no obligation

Featured Articles

Illustration representing a taxpayer contributing to K-12 scholarships through the Education Freedom Tax Credit

What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit?

The first federal school choice tax credit in American history allows eligible taxpayers to give to a qualified scholarship organization and reduce their federal tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Here’s everything donors need to understand before they give.

More To Explore

Illustration of a donor in one state supporting students in another state through the EFTC

Can I Donate to an SGO in Another State?

One of the EFTC’s most powerful features is geographic freedom. Donors can support school choice in any state — and claim the same federal tax credit regardless of where the SGO operates.

Illustration representing decades of school choice research and outcomes

School Choice and Academic Outcomes: What 30 Years of Research Actually Shows

The debate over school choice is often treated as ideological. The research record — thirty years of it — suggests it should be treated as empirical. This piece reviews what the peer-reviewed evidence actually shows on school choice: where it is strong, where it is mixed, and what it means for donors who are evaluating the Education Freedom Tax Credit as a giving vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about the Education Freedom Tax Credit and the AFC Scholarship Fund.

The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a new federal tax credit that rewards taxpayers who donate to qualified scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). When you make a charitable contribution to a qualified SGO, you receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700. This reduces what you owe the IRS when you file your taxes. The donation comes first, then the tax benefit follows. The EFTC takes effect January 1, 2027.

The AFC Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO) created to make the Education Freedom Tax Credit work on a national scale. It is affiliated with the American Federation for Children (AFC), the nation’s largest school choice organization. Our mission is to connect donors to students, making it as simple as possible for families to access the education that’s right for their children.

Here’s the process, step by step:
Step 1: You make a charitable contribution to a qualified scholarship granting organization (SGO).
Step 2: That contribution generates a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700.
Step 3: The credit reduces what you owe the IRS when you file your federal taxes.

The EFTC is not a deduction. It is a direct reduction of your federal tax liability. You donate first; the credit follows at filing. The program launches January 1, 2027.

Many charitable donations qualify for a tax deduction. These tax deductions simply reduce your taxable income, which means the actual savings are a fraction of what you gave.

For example, if you’re in the 24% tax bracket and claim a $1,700 deduction, you save about $408. That’s it.

A tax credit, on the other hand, reduces your actual tax bill, dollar for dollar. If you donate $1,700 to a qualified scholarship granting organization (SGO) and owe $2,000 in federal taxes, you now owe $300. Your tax liability decreases by $1,700, not $408.

Your state’s participation status does not affect your ability to claim the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit. The EFTC is a federal benefit. What matters is that the SGO you donate to is a qualified organization. Donors can contribute to SGOs in any participating state and still receive the federal credit, regardless of where they live. If your state has not opted in, you can still donate to a qualified SGO. Your federal credit applies all the same.

Credits for donations of more than $1,700 can be carried forward for up to five years.

The Education Freedom Tax Credit launches January 1, 2027, but families are counting on scholarship infrastructure being in place from day one. When donors register their interest now and commit early, they help scholarship granting organizations build the capacity to serve families quickly when the program goes live. Early participation also helps ensure that lower-income families, who need these scholarships most, have access from the start.

Approximately 90% of American students are eligible to receive EFTC scholarships through a qualified scholarship granting organization (SGO). Eligibility is based on household income relative to local area median income. Scholarships become available starting in 2027 when the Education Freedom Tax Credit takes effect.

If you’re wondering whether your family qualifies, register your interest and we’ll help you find out.

Scholarship applications are processed through scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) like the AFC Scholarship Fund. The tax credit takes effect on January 1, 2027.