Alabama Families Utilize CHOOSE Act Education Funds
The state program provides financial support for tuition and educational supplies through tax credits.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Homeschooling
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As of October 2026, over 34,000 Alabama students are using CHOOSE Act education savings accounts. The program offers refundable tax credits to help families offset tuition and supply costs.
Why it matters
The program aims to alleviate the financial burden of schooling for families. It provides resources that cover essential items like computers, software, tutoring, and curriculum fees.
The 2026-27 application period saw 29,341 submissions covering 48,927 students. Current eligibility for the academic year is capped at 300% of the federal poverty level.
The players
Kay Ivey
She is the Governor of Alabama who has actively promoted the expansion and utilization of the CHOOSE Act.
Rossi Ratcliffe
A student who has received financial support through the CHOOSE Act program.
The details
Families participating in the program receive support for a wide range of educational expenses including tuition, textbooks, and fees. State officials have highlighted the program's reach by profiling a Troy family whose student attends Pike Liberal Arts School.
Timeline
The 2025-26 school year marked the period when student Rossi Ratcliffe received support.
The application window for the 2026-27 school year closed on March 31, 2026.
Governor Ivey introduced the Ratcliffe family on October 9, 2026.
Income-based eligibility applies throughout the 2026-27 academic year.
The program opens to families regardless of income starting in the 2027-28 academic year.
Culture Shift
The CHOOSE Act represents a significant shift in how Alabama supports educational choice by pivoting toward direct family-led savings accounts. This transition signals a broader move away from centralized funding toward personalized tax credit programs.
Families can use these funds to cover specific costs like tutoring, software, and computers to support their children's learning. Participants should monitor state announcements to see if their income level qualifies them for the current 300% poverty threshold.
The takeaway
The CHOOSE Act is actively changing how Alabama families fund their educational choices through state-sponsored tax credits. Eligible households should evaluate their school-related expenses to determine how these credits can offset costs for curriculum and technology.
What happens next
The program will expand to allow eligibility for all families, regardless of income level, beginning in the 2027-28 academic year.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's educational landscape in the Alabama Homeschooling section.
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Should taxpayer-funded education savings accounts be available to all families regardless of their income level?
