The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act is defined in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2110 through 20-2-2118 and provides for the following four choice options to students who qualify:
(1) Georgia Special Needs Scholarship
A parent may request and receive from the Georgia Department of Education a scholarship for the student to enroll in and attend a participating private school for students and families who meet the requirements for participation.
- Scholarship Calculator (OPEN)
- Important 2021-2022 Scholarship Calculator Update Info
- Understanding How Scholarship Funding is Calculated
- Understanding the Scholarship Program
- IEP Qualification Information
- Kindergarten Qualification Information
- 504 Qualification Information
- Find Out More
(2) Intra-district Transfer
The parent may choose for the student to attend another public school within the resident school system which has available space and which has a program with the services agreed to in the student's existing Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan. If the parent chooses this option, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation to such school. The student may attend such public school until the student completes all grades of the school, graduates, or reaches the age of 21, whichever occurs first, in accordance with federal and state requirements for disabled students.
Special Needs Scholarship awards do not apply to this education option. Special Needs Scholarship awards shall only be used at an authorized participating private school.
(3) Inter-district Transfer
The parent may choose to enroll the student in and transport the student to a public school outside of the student's resident school system which has available space and which has a program with the services agreed to in the student's existing Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan. The nonresident public school system may accept the student but is not required.
If you want to learn more about this option, you can contact the local school system in which you have interest to inquire if they are accepting students from out of district.
It is at the discretion of each local school system whether it will accept enrollments for students who do not reside within the local school system boundaries.
Special Needs Scholarship awards do not apply to this education option. Special Needs Scholarship awards shall only be used at an authorized participating private school.
(4) Transfer to a State School
The parent may choose for the student to attend one of the State Schools:
Georgia Academy for the Blind,
Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, or
Georgia School for the Deaf,
operated by the State Board of Education, if appropriate for the student's needs.
Learn More about the State Schools.
Special Needs Scholarship awards do not apply to this education option. Special Needs Scholarship awards shall only be used at an authorized participating private school.
