When it comes to your child’s education, every penny you spend is an investment in their future. This is especially true for homeschooling families, who willingly take on the full cost of educating their child at home.
For many children, homeschooling offers a better educational experience than any public or private school could provide. And while homeschooling can be affordable, many homeschooling families appreciate financial support.
That financial support is now available to homeschooling families in Georgia. The Promise Scholarship, introduced in 2024, offers grants for homeschooling in Georgia. The money is available for families who choose non-public schooling options for their children. This important program demonstrates the state’s support for educational choice beyond the traditional public school classroom.
To help parents navigate this brand-new program, we’ve taken an in-depth look at the Georgia Promise Scholarship program’s eligibility criteria, benefits, and application process.
Understanding Georgia Homeschool Grants
When you decide to homeschool your child, you commit to providing everything they need for their education. That means your time, energy, and anything necessary for a successful school year such as their school supplies and curriculum.
Homeschool grants and financial aid can help with some of these costs. These programs offer extra financial support for your child’s education, and can be found through a number of resources:
- State-funded scholarships: Programs like the Georgia Promise scholarship allocate educational funding directly to families who choose to educate their children outside the traditional public school system.
- Private homeschool grants: Available through private homeschooling groups, these grants offer funding for families to help pay for curriculum, school supplies, and more.
- Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and tax credits: Similar to state-funded scholarships, these extra funds allow families to use state funding to pay for a wide range of homeschool expenses.
For Georgia homeschoolers, the Georgia Promise scholarship is an important new resource to make homeschooling more affordable.
What Is the Promise Scholarship in Georgia?
The Promise Scholarship is a state-funded scholarship program designed to support educational choice for Georgia families. The fund, set at $6,500 per student for its inaugural year, is particularly geared toward families whose access to quality public school options is limited.
Administered by the Georgia Education Savings Authority, the scholarship is available to K-12 students who are homeschooled or enrolled in private school. The funds can be used for a wide variety of education-related expenses, including curriculum, textbooks, private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and more.
Public school students are not eligible to apply for or receive the funding, but qualifying families must live in a low-performing public school zone. Those schools are identified each year by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.
Who Is Eligible for the Promise Scholarship?
To qualify for the Promise Scholarship for your child, you must have lived in Georgia for at least one year before applying. Exceptions to this rule are available for active-duty military families. In addition:
- Your child must be entering kindergarten or have been enrolled in a Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters immediately prior to the award year.
- You must live in a low-performing school zone.
Eligible public school attendance zones are based on the individual school ratings list overseen by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. Families that live within the lowest 25% of rated school zones qualify.
Past recipients of the scholarship will also receive priority consideration in future years.
How Much Funding Does the Promise Scholarship Provide?
For the 2025-2026 school year, eligible families may receive up to $6,500 per student through the Georgia Promise Scholarship. The deadline for the 2025-2026 year is April 15th, 2025.
These funds can be used for a range of educational expenses, including:
- Academic curriculum and textbooks
- Online homeschool programs such as Bridgeway Academy
- Private tutoring and specialized instruction
- Occupational, speech, and behavioral therapies
- Transportation to and from a participating school or service provider
If you don’t use all of your funding in a given academic year, up to 50% can be rolled over into the next year. Scholarship funds can not be used for non-educational expenses such as food, recreational activities, and home improvements.
How to Apply for the Promise Scholarship in Georgia
Applications for the Georgia Promise Scholarship open on March 1 and can be submitted through the Georgia Promise Scholarship website.
Families can also check their eligibility on the website using a Pre-Screen tool. The tool will ask a series of questions related to the scholarship’s eligibility requirements, including how long you’ve lived in Georgia, your child’s age, and the school zone you live in.
When you’re ready to apply, you’ll want to have all of your documentation ready for submission. A mortgage, driver’s license, or utility bill may be used to establish residency. A tax return is typically used to show household income.
According to the program’s current guidelines, a student that has received a Georgia Promise Scholarship will remain in the program until they are no longer eligible due to public school enrollment, graduation, or relocation outside of the state. As such, you may not need to apply for funding each year, as long as your child’s eligibility has not changed. If you leave the program and wish to return, however, you will need to reapply.
How Much Does it Cost to Homeschool in Georgia?
One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is the ability to craft a custom educational experience for your child, whether they need extra support or the freedom to excel on their own. These needs often change as your child grows. As such, the exact cost of homeschooling in Georgia is different for every family and every child.
For students who only need an ad-hoc class or two to support their educational goals, online classes typically start around $300. Full academic year programs, offering a custom homeschool curriculum for the school year, often require an investment of $5,000 or more.
A well-rounded homeschool education can also include both literature and textbooks, field trips, educational therapies, tutors, and much more. For families concerned about the total cost of investment, the Georgia Promise scholarship is an invaluable resource.
Looking for a personalized homeschooling price quote? Connect with one of our admissions counselors to discuss your child’s needs and explore the costs of homeschooling. Call 800-863-1474. |
Get Started with Grants for Homeschooling in Georgia
For many families, homeschooling is one of the best educational options available. Georgia’s homeschool grants available through the Promise Scholarship can help to also make it affordable.
Bridgeway Academy is an approved service provider for Promise Scholarship funding in Georgia. All of our personalized learning plans, courses, and accredited homeschool programs are available to Georgia families who want to use their award funding. Plus, our flexibility, one-on-one support, and thriving community are unmatched, and we’re ready to help you and your child thrive at home.
Our Admissions Counselors are available to answer any questions you have about transitioning from public school to homeschool. We can help coordinate the transfer of records and offer expert tips for a stress-free transition.
To learn more about Georgia homeschool grants and making the transition to homeschooling in Georgia, call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474, join our next virtual open house to hear from our expert team in a live online setting, or contact us online.
Related: Three Steps to Start Homeschooling Today
Homeschool Grants: Georgia FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the new Georgia Promise Scholarship available for homeschooling families.
Can I get paid to homeschool my child in Georgia?
While the state of Georgia does not directly pay parents to homeschool their children, it does offer financial assistance for homeschooling families. The Georgia Promise Scholarship, introduced by law in 2024, provides state-funded scholarships for children who pursue non-public educational options, including private school and homeschooling.
Is the Promise Scholarship income-based?
The Georgia Promise Scholarship is not income-based; all Georgia families may apply. However, families with a household income that falls under 400% of the federal poverty line will be given priority consideration for homeschool grants in Georgia.
Can I use the Promise Scholarship for an accredited homeschool program like Bridgeway Academy?
Yes! Programs that have been approved by the Georgia Education Savings Authority (which includes Bridgeway Academy) are eligible for Promise Scholarship funding use.
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