Georgia Promise Scholarship (2026) Requirements, Deadlines & Application

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The Georgia Promise Scholarship provides financial aid to students residing in underperforming public school zones across the state. This program, managed by the Georgia Education Savings Authority (GESA), offers families a voucher to cover alternative educational costs. Eligible participants receive funding to transition from public schools to private institutions or home-study programs.

Funding for the 2026 academic year supports a variety of expenses, including private school tuition, textbooks, and tutoring. The program prioritizes families with a household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. By providing these scholarships, Georgia aims to expand educational choices for students in the bottom 25% of public school attendance zones.

Securing the scholarship requires following specific application windows throughout the year. Parents must verify residency, public school enrollment history, and income status to qualify for the $6,500 annual award. Early preparation is vital, as funds are subject to state appropriations and application deadlines occur quarterly.

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Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Kindergarten through 12th Grade (K-12)
Location: Georgia, USA
Institution(s): Participating private schools and home-study programs
Program Period: Annual (Renewable until high school graduation)
Course offered: Standard K-12 curriculum (Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, and Language Arts)
Deadline: March 31, 2026 (First window); May 31, 2026 (Second window)

Scholarship Coverage

The Georgia Promise Scholarship provides a maximum of $6,500 per student annually. These funds are distributed quarterly into an Odyssey Georgia Promise Scholarship account for the following expenses:

Tuition and Fees: Payment for private school tuition and mandatory enrollment fees.
Instructional Materials: Costs for required textbooks, digital curricula, and supplemental materials.
Support Services: Fees for tutoring, speech therapy, and physical therapy provided by licensed professionals.
Transportation: Reimbursement of up to $500 per year for travel to and from eligible schools.

Eligibility Criteria

To meet the Georgia Promise Scholarship requirements, students must fulfill residency and school history mandates.

Residency: Parents must have lived in Georgia for at least 1 year (exceptions apply for active-duty military).
Attendance Zone: The student must reside in the attendance zone of a public school on the Georgia Promise Scholarship School List (lowest 25% of performing schools).
Public School Enrollment: Students must have been enrolled in a Georgia public school for 2 consecutive semesters prior to applying.
Kindergarten Exception: Children entering kindergarten are eligible without prior public school enrollment, if they reside in an eligible zone.
Income Limit: Priority is given to families with incomes at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Application Process

The Georgia Promise Scholarship application is hosted on the Odyssey platform. You must complete these steps to apply:

Check the School List: Use the Official Georgia Promise Scholarship Public School List to confirm your residency in an eligible zone.
Gather Documents: Prepare your Georgia driver’s license, a utility bill, and your most recent federal 1040 tax form.
Create an Account: Visit the Georgia Promise Scholarship website to access the Odyssey application portal.
Submit the Application: Complete the student profile and upload proof of public school enrollment, such as a report card or official transcript.
Wait for Notification: GESA will notify you of your status after the current application window closes.
Select a School: Choose a participating institution from the Georgia Promise Scholarship private school list within the portal.