In its inaugural year, the Georgia Promise Scholarship has lived up to its name—offering real promise to thousands of families across the state. Launched to give students trapped in low-performing public schools access to more customized, high-quality educational experiences, the program is already making a measurable impact.
Between March and June 2025, more than 15,000 families applied for the scholarship. Of those, 8,559 students met eligibility requirements and were approved to receive $6,500 for the 2025–2026 school year. These funds can be used for a broad range of educational expenses, from private school tuition and homeschool support to tutoring, textbooks and therapy services.
The Promise Scholarship puts parents in control. For many families, this program represents the first time they’ve had real choices about their child’s education.
Let’s examine how this program is rolling out so far.
Reaching the Families Who Need It Most
The scholarship is targeted toward students who are in the attendance zones of the lowest-performing 25% of public schools in Georgia, as measured by state accountability data. Unsurprisingly, the program has been especially helpful for lower-income families. According to preliminary state data, roughly 75% of recipients come from households earning less than 400% of the federal poverty level—a clear sign the program is working as intended to close opportunity gaps.
The student population is demographically diverse. Among eligible students:
- 52% identify their ethnicity as black
- 33% as white
- 9% as multiracial
- 4% as Hispanic
- 1% as Asian or Pacific Islander
These percentages compare to the overall proportions of public school students in Georgia: 38% white, 37% black, 17% Hispanic and 4% each for Asian and multiracial.
Roughly 52% of eligible students are male and 48% are female. More than three-quarters of Promise Scholars are still in elementary school, as 32% are in kindergarten and an additional 45% are in grades 1 through 6. Middle schoolers and high schoolers make up 11% and 12% respectively.
These numbers illustrate the program’s potential to alter a child’s academic path early—when the right intervention can have the most long-term effects.
Where the Money is Going
One of the most compelling aspects of the Georgia Promise Scholarship is its flexibility. Parents can choose from a wide menu of approved uses through the state’s online marketplace, which now offers more than 7,300 educational products and services, including:
- Tuition at over 360 approved private schools
- Tutoring from state-certified educators
- Speech-language, behavioral and occupational therapies from licensed professionals
- Books, workbooks and hands-on STEM kits
So far, families are using the funds in diverse and creative ways. As of July:
- 64% of eligible students planned to use the funds at a private school
- 16% planned to pursue homeschooling
- 14% intended to use educational support services such as tutors or therapists
- 6% were still deciding
This broad array of options reflects the fact that one-size-fits-all education doesn’t work for every student. Whether a child is struggling in a traditional classroom, has special learning needs, or simply thrives in a more personalized setting, the Promise Scholarship provides a critical tool for these families to build the right solution.
Reaching Communities Across the State
The Promise Scholarship is not just a metro Atlanta phenomenon—it is helping families across Georgia. Recipients are spread across over 130 school districts, spanning both urban and rural areas.
While dozens of small school districts have just a handful, the top five districts with the most recipients include DeKalb County, Henry County, Bibb County, Richmond County and Savannah-Chatham County.
These numbers highlight that educational opportunity gaps exist throughout Georgia. From northern counties like Whitfield to coastal areas like Savannah‑Chatham, families are taking advantage of the opportunity to chart a new course for their children.
Demand Exceeds Supply
While 8,559 students are benefiting this year, 15,271 students applied. That means 6,712 students were turned away because they didn’t meet the eligibility criteria. And it does not account for the families who didn’t apply because they knew they were ineligible. These families may live in slightly higher-performing school zones, fall just above the income cutoff, or have some other eligibility issue, yet many still face real challenges. This gap is a reminder that the scholarship’s current scope, while impactful, is limited.
If we want to build on this year’s success, expanding eligibility must be a priority. That could include expanding access beyond students zoned to the lowest-performing 25% of public schools and lifting the program’s current funding cap of 1% of QBE state funding. Many other states have already implemented successful school choice programs without these restrictions. Doing so in our state would unlock educational options for thousands of additional children across Georgia.
The Georgia Promise Scholarship is already transforming lives—and it’s only just getting started. With strong demand, successful implementation and broad-based support from parents, the program has proven its worth in year one.