Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in Georgia

Georgia Promise offers up to $6,500 a year for approved nonpublic education, including home study, after qualifying public-school attendance or entry to kindergarten. The next student window is November 1-30, 2026; spring entrants must meet the 400% federal poverty level income limit.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Meets prior enrollment rules

   Your child must have attended Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters or be a rising kindergartener.

2. Lives in an eligible attendance zone

   Your address must be in a public-school attendance zone on the state’s qualifying lower-performing-school list.

3. Meets residency rules

   The parent must have lived in Georgia for at least one year, with an active-duty military exception.

What it is worth

The program sets a maximum annual award and limits carryforward.

2026-27 full annual award

Up to $6,500

Maximum carryforward from a $6,500 award

$3,250

GESA may withhold up to 5% for administration; a new midyear entrant should confirm their actual funded amount.

From applying to keeping it

1. November 1-30, 2026

   Apply for next-semester entry

   Submit the student application during the November window.

2. After the window closes

   Receive an award decision

   Eligibility alone does not guarantee an award.

3. After the current public-school semester

   Withdraw before participation

   Remain in public school through semester-end, then withdraw before the funded semester begins.

4. During the funded semester

   Pay approved providers

   Accounts are funded quarterly; you initiate eligible payments.

5. By May 31 each year

   Recertify

   Complete annual recertification by May 31 and meet the annual testing requirement.

6. By June 30 each year

   Report the annual test

   Complete spring testing and upload results by June 30 to remain eligible.

What it pays for

Covered

• Approved curriculum
• Private-school tuition and required textbooks
• Qualified tutoring
• Licensed educational therapies
• Provider transportation, up to $500 yearly

Not covered

• Current publicly funded enrollment
• Simultaneous Georgia Special Needs Scholarship
• Simultaneous student scholarship organization award

Good to know

• Most current homeschoolers cannot apply yet

  New applicants usually need two consecutive public-school semesters first, unless they are entering kindergarten.

• Students apply November 1-30, 2026

  The October window is for schools. The next window for students is November 1-30, 2026.

• Spring entry has an income limit

  For spring entry, the program considers only families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.

• Up to half of a year's award carries forward

  You cannot keep all unused money. Up to 50% of the year’s award can carry forward.

Who to contact

Confirm your attendance zone, spring eligibility, and account steps.

help@mygeorgiapromise.org 470-470-7057 Georgia Promise support

Local help in Georgia

The local programs we have checked across the state cover transportation, recreation, college and dual credit, other services, testing and assessments, and library resources. Each local program sets its own rules for who qualifies. Search your ZIP code to see the ones that serve your address.

Search your ZIP code

The state's homeschool rules

You must submit the Declaration of Intent within 30 days after establishing the home study program, then by September 1 each subsequent year.

• Subjects: Teach reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, for the equivalent of 180 school days each year with at least 4.5 hours per day.
• Testing: Use an appropriate nationally standardized test at least every three years beginning at the end of grade 3, administered in consultation with a person trained in norm-referenced testing. Retain the scores and assessment records.
• Records: The instructor writes an annual progress assessment for each student in each required subject. Keep these reports for at least three years and retain standardized-test scores and assessment records.
• Teachers: The teaching parent needs a high school diploma or GED in Georgia.

Read the Georgia homeschooling guide