Georgia Homeschool Funding & Promise Scholarship Guide (2026)

Georgia launched its first school choice program in 2025 with the Promise Scholarship—$6,500 per student for families in low-performing school districts. But here's the reality for homeschoolers: unless you're zoned for one of the state's lowest-performing public schools, you don't qualify.

And even if you do qualify, the Promise Scholarship is designed primarily for private school tuition, not homeschool curriculum. Some tutoring expenses may be covered, but this isn't the kind of comprehensive homeschool funding available in states like Arizona or Florida.

What Is the Georgia Promise Scholarship?

The Georgia Promise Scholarship (created under SB 233) is a targeted school choice program launched in 2025. With $141 million in funding supporting approximately 22,000 scholarships, it's Georgia's first significant foray into education savings accounts.

The key limitation: This isn't universal school choice. You must be zoned for a public school in the lowest-performing 25% of Georgia school districts to qualify. This geographic targeting means most Georgia families—including most homeschoolers—are ineligible regardless of income.

For those who do qualify, the scholarship prioritizes families with income below 400% of the federal poverty level, though higher-income families in eligible zones can also apply.

Promise Scholarship Eligibility

Can Homeschoolers Actually Use This?

Let's be direct: the Georgia Promise Scholarship was designed for private school tuition, not homeschool expenses.

What Might Qualify: - Tutoring services from approved providers - Some educational materials (rules still being clarified)

What Doesn't Qualify: - Parent-purchased curriculum - General homeschool supplies - Online courses in most cases - Parent compensation for teaching

The Practical Reality: Even if you're in an eligible zone, the scholarship is structured around institutional education. The $6,500 goes much further paying private school tuition than trying to piece together homeschool-compatible expenses.

If you're committed to homeschooling and happen to be in an eligible district, you might access some tutoring support. But don't restructure your educational approach around a program that wasn't designed for you.

Do You Qualify? Check Your Zone

The Promise Scholarship uses a geographic targeting approach. Here's how to check your eligibility:

Step 1: Identify Your Zoned School Determine which public school your children would attend based on your home address. This is your "zoned school."

Step 2: Check District Performance The Georgia Department of Education publishes school and district performance data. Your district must be in the lowest-performing 25% statewide.

Step 3: Verify Current Status District rankings can change annually based on assessment results. A district that qualifies one year might not the next—or vice versa.

Where to Check: Visit the Georgia Student Finance Commission website for the current list of eligible zones and detailed eligibility requirements.

If your district isn't in the bottom 25%, you don't qualify—regardless of income, family situation, or educational needs.

Alternative Funding for Georgia Homeschoolers

Since most Georgia families won't qualify for the Promise Scholarship, focus on federal options:

Federal Funding Options

• Coverdell ESA — Up to $2,000 per year per child in tax-advantaged savings. Covers curriculum, tutoring, computers, and educational expenses. No geographic restrictions.
• 529 Plan — Georgia Path2College 529 offers state tax deductions. Federal law allows $10,000 annually for K-12 expenses, though rules vary.
• Employer Benefits — Some employers offer dependent education assistance. Worth checking your benefits package.

Georgia Homeschool Requirements

Georgia has moderate homeschool regulations that apply regardless of funding status:

Declaration of Intent: File annually with your local superintendent by September 1 (or within 30 days of starting).

Attendance: Provide 180 days of instruction covering reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.

Testing: Administer a standardized test every three years at grades 3, 6, 9, and 12. Keep results but don't need to submit them.

Progress Reports: Submit annual progress reports to the superintendent.

Teacher Qualifications: The teaching parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED.

These requirements apply whether or not you receive any state funding. Georgia's homeschool environment is more regulated than some states but less than others.

Promise Scholarship Quick Facts

The Bigger Picture

The Georgia Promise Scholarship represents a meaningful step for school choice in a state that previously had no such program. But for homeschoolers, the picture is mixed:

Positive Signs: - Georgia now has a school choice framework - Future expansion could include homeschool - Other southeastern states (Florida, Tennessee) have expanded ESAs to include homeschool

Current Limitations: - Geographic targeting excludes most families - Program designed around private school, not homeschool - No legislation pending to change homeschool eligibility

What to Watch: If the Promise Scholarship succeeds, pressure may build to expand eligibility—either geographically or to include more educational settings. Homeschool advocates should engage with legislators to push for inclusion.

For now, Georgia homeschoolers should plan based on federal alternatives while keeping an eye on state-level developments.

The Bottom Line

Georgia's Promise Scholarship brings school choice to the state for the first time, but it's designed for private school tuition rather than homeschool expenses. The geographic targeting (lowest-performing 25% of districts) excludes most families regardless.

If you happen to be in an eligible zone, some tutoring expenses might qualify—but don't expect comprehensive homeschool funding. For most Georgia homeschoolers, federal options like Coverdell ESAs remain the primary funding path.

Check your zoned school's district performance to verify eligibility. If you don't qualify, focus on maximizing federal programs and maintaining solid homeschool records.