More than 34,000 Alabama students approved for the CHOOSE Act can now access education savings account funding, Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that the program is fully funded for the 2026-27 school year.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, which administers the program, more than $174 million in Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) will support families participating in the state’s school choice initiative.
The announcement follows a record year for applications, with nearly 49,000 students applying for the program. More than 34,000 students were approved to receive funding.
Approved families can now access their ESA funds through the ClassWallet platform to pay for eligible educational expenses, including school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies and other approved services offered by participating education service providers.
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Students enrolled in participating schools are eligible to receive $7,000 each, while students enrolled in home education programs qualify for $2,000 each, up to a maximum of $4,000 per family.
“The CHOOSE Act has changed the lives of thousands of Alabama families by enabling them to select schools that best align with their priorities and their child’s specific needs,” Ivey said. “The increase in applications for the upcoming school year shows that the people of Alabama want school choice, and I am proud that we are able to give it to them.”
Families approved for funding will receive a welcome email from ClassWallet on or around July 1 with instructions for accessing their accounts, information about eligible expenses and customer support resources. Additional information, including a Parent Guide, FAQ and a list of approved education service providers, is available through the CHOOSE Act website.
State officials also announced that applications for the 2027-28 school year will open in January 2027. Beginning with that application cycle, the CHOOSE Act will be available to all Alabama families regardless of household income.
