Georgia General Assembly Increases Tax Credit Scholarship Program by $20 million

The American Federation for Children applauds the Georgia General Assembly for passing two measures expanding school choice. House Bill 517 increases the cap on the Tax Credit Scholarship Program from $100 million to $120 million per year, doubles the amount individuals, LLCs, and S-Corps can contribute, and removes the automatic sunset of the program. The General Assembly also increased charter facilities funding by $3 million, bringing the program’s total to $8.5 million. Governor Kemp is expected to sign both measures.
Statement from AFC-Georgia State Director Christy Riggins:
“I am thankful our lawmakers expanded this scholarship program, allowing thousands more Peach State families to take advantage of the life-changing opportunity of educational choice. After two years of disrupted learning due to COVID-19, more and more parents are recognizing that their children’s educational needs are every bit as unique as the children themselves. Legislators should continue answering the call of parents across the state by giving families greater access to schools that best fit the needs of their children.”
Details:

• The Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program was enacted in 2008. The program allows individuals and corporations to designate a portion of their state tax obligation for use as scholarships to private schools.
• Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs) are qualified by the state to disburse scholarships to eligible families.
• The scholarship amount given to qualifying families may be up to as much as the average per-pupil state and local funding.
• House Bill 517 increased the annual cap to $120 million, allowing more than 4,000 new students the opportunity to receive a scholarship.
• House Bill 517 also removed a harmful sunset provision from the program.
• The state budget also increased funding for charter school facilities by $3 million, for a program total of $8.5 million.