School choice
In every state
Many states help families pay for K–12 education through scholarships, vouchers and education savings accounts. Find the programs in your state, who they’re for and how to apply.
Programs by state
See which states offer school choice programs and how many each one has. Select a state to see its programs below the map.
9
States with vouchers
18
States with education savings accounts
15
States with tax-credit scholarships
3
States with special-needs scholarships
51
State guides published
3 or more programs
2 programs
1 program
No statewide program
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Find your state
| State | Programs | Program types | Federal tax credit | Guide to Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Alaska | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Arizona | 4 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Governor vetoed | Learn more → |
| Arkansas | 2 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| California | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Colorado | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Connecticut | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Delaware | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| District of Columbia | 1 | Voucher | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Florida | 4 | VoucherESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Georgia | 3 | ESATax-credit scholarshipSpecial needs | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Hawaii | — | None listed | Declined | Learn more → |
| Idaho | 1 | Voucher | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Illinois | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Indiana | 4 | VoucherESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Iowa | 3 | VoucherESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Kansas | 1 | Tax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Kentucky | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Louisiana | 2 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Maine | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Maryland | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Massachusetts | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Michigan | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Minnesota | — | None listed | Declined | Learn more → |
| Mississippi | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Missouri | 1 | ESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Montana | 2 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Nebraska | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Nevada | 1 | Tax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| New Hampshire | 2 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| New Jersey | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| New Mexico | — | None listed | Declined | Learn more → |
| New York | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| North Carolina | 2 | VoucherESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| North Dakota | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Ohio | 4 | VoucherSpecial needs | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Oklahoma | 2 | Voucher | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Oregon | — | None listed | Declined | Learn more → |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | Tax-credit scholarship | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Rhode Island | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| South Carolina | 2 | ESATax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| South Dakota | — | None listed | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Tennessee | 3 | ESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Texas | 1 | ESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Utah | 1 | ESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Vermont | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| Virginia | 1 | Tax-credit scholarship | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Washington | — | None listed | Undecided | Learn more → |
| West Virginia | 1 | ESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| Wisconsin | 5 | VoucherSpecial needs | Governor vetoed | Learn more → |
| Wyoming | 1 | ESA | Opted in | Learn more → |
| No states match. | ||||
Types of programs
Each state has a different approach to scholarships, with some offering multiple options and others offering none.
Vouchers
9 states
State funds that pay some or all of private school tuition for eligible students.
Education savings accounts
18 states
State-funded accounts families spend on approved costs such as tuition, tutoring, therapies and learning materials.
Tax-credit scholarships
15 states
Scholarships funded by private donations to nonprofit scholarship organizations, whose donors receive a state tax credit.
Special-needs scholarships
3 states
Programs for students with disabilities, often tied to an IEP, that pay for private school or specialized services.
NEW IN 2027
Education Freedom Tax Credit
A new federal tax credit that funds K–12 scholarships through private, charitable donations. In participating states, families may be able to use it alongside state programs. Each state guide shows how it works there.
The options depend on where you live and your child’s needs. Explore the options on this page to see who may qualify, what each can pay for and how to apply.
It depends on whether your state participates. The federal credit applies only in states that have opted in, and eligible students there may be able to apply once scholarships are funded. See which states participate.
School choice gives families options beyond the public school assigned to their address. Depending on where you live, those can include private schools, charter schools and homeschooling.
A voucher generally helps pay private school tuition. An ESA provides funds for approved education expenses, which can go beyond tuition. A scholarship is financial assistance for an eligible student, and some are funded by private donations that earn donors a tax credit.
Homeschooled students qualify for a number of options, while others require enrollment in a school or approved provider. Each option’s requirements will say which applies.
Allowable expenses vary by program. Many cover tuition and fees, and some also cover tutoring, learning materials or special needs services. Check the approved-expense list on each option’s official site. For Education Freedom Tax Credit scholarships, federal law defines qualified expenses, and each Scholarship Granting Organization decides which ones it funds. For a definitive list of allowable expenses, visit the administrator’s website by clicking on the program links.
School choice scholarships are one avenue to help offset tuition costs. Parents should ask schools about additional scholarship dollars that may be available.
A few options are designed specifically for students in public schools, and others are open to students in any setting. Each option’s requirements say who qualifies.
That depends on the option. Some ask you to choose a participating school or provider first, and others don’t. Scholarship applications and school enrollment are separate steps, so it helps to line up the timing.
Education Freedom Tax Credit scholarships may be combined (stacked) with any existing state-level school choice program. However, states may prohibit the stacking of state-level school choice program scholarships.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, parents may apply to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) authorized to participate in their state for Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) scholarships. SGOs evaluate family applications and eligibility and award scholarships to families. The scholarship amounts are determined by the SGO. Participating families may also be donors to the EFTC program. For more information on how to become a donor, click here.
Schools can share this page using the Copy link, Email and Text buttons at the top, and point families to each option’s official site for application details. Families do the applying themselves, since a scholarship application is separate from school enrollment.
Scholarships can be funded starting Jan. 1, 2027, but each SGO sets its own application dates and requirements.
State options are administered separately from AFC Scholarship Fund. Details, eligibility requirements and application dates can change, so check each option’s official site for the latest information.