Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama families can now apply for the CHOOSE Act. This Education Savings Account (ESA) program supports K-12 students statewide. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are open until April 7, 2025. Families will receive award notifications in May 2025.
Governor Ivey highlights school choice opportunities
“This program gives Alabama families an excellent way to embrace school choice,” said Governor Ivey. She signed the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act into law in March 2024. The program helps families choose educational options tailored to their needs, ensuring students access high-quality learning opportunities.
Program details and funding options
The Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR) oversees the CHOOSE Act. It offers ESAs to eligible K-12 students for school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and other qualified expenses. Funding includes:
$7,000 per student for those attending a participating school.
$2,000 per student for home education programs, capped at $4,000 per family.
In its first year, the program prioritizes 500 awards for students with special needs. Next, it supports dependents of active-duty service members in priority schools. Remaining funds are distributed based on family income, capped at 300% of the federal poverty level (e.g., $93,600 for a family of four).
How to apply and key dates
Families can apply for an ESA on the CHOOSE Act website. The site also provides resources like eligibility details, FAQs, and guides for parents and education service providers (ESPs). Approved students can use ESA funds for eligible expenses starting in July 2025.
Visit chooseact.alabama.gov for more information.
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