U.S. Education Freedom Scholarship Program Gains Participation from 31 States

Thirty‑one U.S. states have opted into the federal Education Freedom Scholarship Program, while 19 states and Washington, D.C. have declined, ahead of the January 2027 deadline. The program, launched by the Trump administration in 2025 through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, creates a federal income‑tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals who donate to certified Scholarship Granting Organizations, which then provide scholarships for tuition, tutoring, curriculum and other education expenses.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and other supporters say the initiative puts parents back in control of their children’s education. Democratic governors of Pennsylvania and Illinois, Josh Shapiro and J.B. Pritzker, have voiced concerns about state oversight and accountability. Jorge Elorza, president and CEO of Democrats for Education Reform, warned that states declining to opt in risk losing significant financial benefits.

The Center Square estimates the tax‑credit program could generate $164 million to $493 million annually, create thousands of jobs and expand school‑choice access for tens of thousands of students. States that have joined include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.