Scholarship Program Will Expand K-12 Opportunities, Empower Parents and Prioritize Individual Students’ Needs in Public and Private Schools
Buffalo, NY – Today at the Empowering Parents event, parents, community leaders and education advocates highlighted the benefits of the federal tax credit scholarship program that was signed into law last summer. Speakers were especially encouraged by Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent statements that she intends to have New York participate in this federal program to benefit New York’s schoolchildren.
If just 30 percent of New York taxpayers participate, the new scholarship program will provide as much as $1.5 billion in additional annual scholarship dollars for low- to middle-income New York students to access greater K-12 educational opportunities, according to an analysis by Education Reform Now.
The event was hosted by Invest in Education Foundation and the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund. The federal tax credit scholarship program will take effect in 2027 and generate exponentially more charitable donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) that will fund scholarships for a variety of eligible expenses in
K-12 education across New York. Donors will receive a 100 percent credit against their federal individual income taxes, up to $1,700 annually, that will drive sustained investment in student educational opportunities.
The program is designed to serve students across all K-12 educational settings, including public schools, charter schools, homeschooling, private schools and others. Students could use scholarships for tuition, fees, tutoring, special needs services, extended day programs or education technology, among other eligible uses. However, for students to benefit, federal law provides governors the discretion whether to allow their respective states to participate. So far, 29 states have joined the program, including Colorado, with Governor Jared Polis opting in to the program in January.
Event speakers applauded Governor Hochul’s expressed intention for New York’s children to benefit from this federal tax credit scholarship program. Doing so would make New York the 30th state to opt-in. Governors have until January 1, 2027 to officially participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program, otherwise New York taxpayers can choose to donate to SGOs in participating states, thereby benefitting out-of-state students.
Recent polling by Invest in Education Foundation and Invest in Education Coalition in New York shows overwhelming support for the federal tax credit scholarship program:
- Nearly nine-in-ten (88%) voters support New York joining the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
- Over nine-in-ten (91%) voters agree that Governor Hochul needs to act now to ensure New York participates in the program.
Amanda Becote, Parent, said: “As a parent, you want to obtain the kind of educational supports that will bring out the best in your child. The federal tax credit scholarship can provide families with resources to access the help they need to improve their child’s academics and keep them focused on their future access to educational opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for stepping up and enabling this program to reach our children and our high-needs communities.”
Joleen Dimitroff, Superintendent of Catholic Elementary Schools for the Diocese of Buffalo, said: “Catholic schools have long provided students with strong academics, values-based education and supportive communities that help children succeed both inside and outside the classroom. We are encouraged by Governor Hochul’s expressed intention to opt in so that families can continue to benefit from this vital educational option that aligns with their children’s needs and aspirations.”
Pastor James Giles, President & CEO of Back to Basics Outreach Ministries, said: “This is one of the most important opportunities I’ve seen for the children and families that I serve every day. The new federal tax credit scholarship program will put resources directly in the hands of families and allow them to choose the best educational service that their child needs. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s recent comments and look forward to seeing New York officially participate.”
Stephanie Guadagna, Chief Officer of OLV Human Services, Educational Services, said: “Every child deserves access to the educational environment and specialized support that best meets their needs. As we continue to see demand for services grow across New York, the federal tax credit scholarship program provides an incredible opportunity to help more families access critical educational resources, therapies and support services that can make a lasting difference in a student’s life.”
Honorable Chris Jacobs, former United States Congressman, former board member of the Buffalo Public Schools and co-founder of the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, said: “This federal scholarship tax credit, which I co-sponsored in Congress, is desperately needed in western New York for children in public, independent, religious and homeschool settings. I applaud Governor Hochul, a fellow western New Yorker, who is showing bipartisan leadership in support of this program, for understanding the educational needs of her home communities and for being governor of all New York’s children.”
Anne Lesser, President and CEO of Invest in Education Foundation, said: “Parents in Buffalo and across New York are looking for more opportunities and support to help their children thrive. We are encouraged by Governor Hochul’s recent comments and look forward to seeing her decision. As more states move forward with participation, it is important that New York families are not left behind.”
Learn More at: https://scholarshiptaxcredit.org/
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About Invest in Education Foundation:
Invest in Education Foundation (IIEF) is a non-partisan research and policy 501(c)(3) organization that educates the public and policymakers about the federal tax credit scholarship program as a means to expand educational freedom and opportunity for K-12 parents and students.
About BISON Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1995, the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund is a privately funded organization whose mission is to broaden the educational opportunities for Western New York children by helping low-income families afford the cost of private K-12 schools.