MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Eligible families in Alabama can apply starting Thursday for a new state program that provides state funding to cover private school tuition, homeschooling costs and other education expenses next school year.

The CHOOSE Act, or Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act of 2024, provides eligible families with up to $7,000 in state funds through education savings accounts for private school tuition or costs at a participating school. Parents could also receive up to $2,000 toward homeschooling costs. For more information about the program, families can visit Chooseact.alabama.gov.

Alabama is among the states that use vouchers, tax credits or parental scholarships to help families pay for private school or education costs outside of the public school setting. Alabama lawmakers approved the program in March. The funds are available to families for the 2025-2026 school year.

The program will initially only be open to families whose adjusted gross income is 300% or less of the federal poverty level, or $77,460 for a family of three. The income limit will be lifted in 2027. Students with disabilities, military families and lower-income families will receive priority for funding.

Alabama’s Republican Gov. Kay Ivey called for the law’s passage in her State of the State address last year. Republican lawmakers who supported the bill said it would provide an option for parents, particularly those destined for low-performing schools. Opposing lawmakers said the program would take money away from public schools. They also questioned how low-income families would benefit, since tuition for private schools is often well over $7,000.

Families have until April 7 to apply for the next school year.

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