State House education budget leaders in Birmingham, Alabama, have allocated an additional $35 million towards the state’s new school choice tuition program in response to the overwhelming interest shown by the nearly 37,000 students who have applied for Alabama’s education savings accounts. Originally, $100 million had been proposed for the program’s 2025-2026 school year, but the increase was deemed necessary due to the high number of applicants.
The funding will be part of the proposed fiscal year 2026 education budget, with the Senate approving the education budget as part of a record $12.1 billion education package. The House is set to work on the bills next week.
The education savings accounts program, known as the CHOOSE Act, allows families to receive funding either for homeschooling or to pay for public out-of-district or private school tuition. Eligibility for the program is currently limited to families with adjusted gross incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level, but starting in the 2027-28 school year, income limits will be lifted.
Lawmakers emphasized that while the program will benefit private schools, investments in public education are also being increased. The RAISE Act allocates $375 million to public schools over the next three years, aiming to distribute funding based on student needs.
The surge in applications has shown interest across education sectors, with officials expressing a commitment to accommodate eligible families and respect their educational choices. The program is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with interest likely to increase as income limits are lifted.
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