Alabama CHOOSE Act Funds Assist Thousands of Students
Over 34,000 students currently use the program to help cover tuition and supplies for their school-aged children.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Homeschooling
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Should taxpayer-funded education savings accounts be available to all families regardless of their income level?
As of October 2026, over 34,000 students in Alabama are utilizing the CHOOSE Act, an education savings account program that provides refundable income tax credits for schooling expenses. The program currently assists families meeting income eligibility requirements as they plan for future academic costs.
Why it matters
The CHOOSE Act provides financial relief for tuition, tutoring, and curriculum expenses, helping Alabama families manage the logistics of private or alternative education. By offering refundable tax credits, the program shifts a portion of household education spending to the state.
For the 2026-27 school year, the state received 29,341 applications covering 48,927 students, with current eligibility capped at 300% of the federal poverty level. This follows the 2025-26 academic year, where students like Rossi Ratcliffe of Troy utilized the program for educational costs.
The players
Kay Ivey
The Governor of Alabama who oversees the implementation and promotion of state education initiatives.
Rossi Ratcliffe
A student from Troy who has utilized the state's education savings account program.
The details
Families apply through the state to receive education savings account funds, which are issued as refundable income tax credits. These credits can be used to offset the costs of tuition, fees, textbooks, curriculum, software, computers, supplies, and tutoring services. The program is designed to provide families with more flexibility in covering core educational expenses as they seek alternative schooling options.
Timeline
2025-26 school year: Student Rossi Ratcliffe began receiving program support.
March 31, 2026: The application period for the 2026-27 school year closed.
October 9, 2026: Governor Ivey highlighted the Ratcliffe family's participation.
2026-27 academic year: Families participating under income-based eligibility.
2027-28 academic year: The program expands to families regardless of income.
The Home Front
The CHOOSE Act reflects a broader shift in state-level policy toward funding private and alternative education through tax-advantaged accounts. This evolution marks a departure from restrictive eligibility as Alabama prepares to open the program to all families in 2027.
If you are planning your family's education budget, track the income eligibility requirements for the current cycle to see if your household qualifies. Keep all receipts and documentation for approved items like computers and curriculum if you are participating in the state program.
The takeaway
The CHOOSE Act offers a pathway for families to reduce out-of-pocket schooling costs through refundable credits. Interested families should review the state's official guidance on covered expenses to ensure their budget planning aligns with the program's requirements.
What happens next
Families should note that the program is scheduled to expand in the 2027-28 academic year to include applicants regardless of income level.
Further reading
For more on educational resources and state programs, visit the Alabama Homeschooling section.
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Should taxpayer-funded education savings accounts be available to all families regardless of their income level?
