Alabama's education savings account, and how it can help at MSH.
The Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act of 2024, known as the CHOOSE Act, gives Alabama families a new way to invest in their children's education. Administered by the Alabama Department of Revenue, it provides refundable income tax credits in the form of education savings accounts (ESAs) that can be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at approved Education Service Providers in Alabama.
HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE
For a student enrolled in a participating school, the ESA provides $7,000 per participating student. Funds are held in a parent-controlled account and spent through the program's approved platform on qualifying educational expenses.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
For the 2026-2027 academic year, a student must be in grades K through 12, be an Alabama resident, and be part of a household whose income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level for the prior tax year. Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the income requirement is removed, and the program becomes open to all eligible Alabama K-12 students regardless of household income. Visit CHOOSE Act for more details.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY
Families applying for an ESA generally need to provide:
The student's birth certificate
Proof of Alabama residency, such as a tax return, state-issued ID or driver's license, utility bill, voter registration, mortgage statement, or lease agreement
Proof of income, such as a recent federal or state tax return, Form W-2 or 1099, Social Security statement, or a TANF or SNAP benefits statement
HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY
The CHOOSE Act is administered through the Alabama Department of Revenue, and application portals open on an annual cycle, typically with renewing families in December and new families in early January, closing in the spring once funding is met. Because exact dates change each year, the most reliable source is the state's official site.
To review current eligibility, deadlines, and the application, visit chooseact.alabama.gov. If you plan to use a CHOOSE Act ESA at MSH, contact our admissions team and we will help you through the steps.