Alabama CHOOSE Act Guide: How the Alabama ESA Works
If you live in Alabama and are looking for more flexibility in how your child learns, the CHOOSE Act may help make private, online, or home-based education more affordable.
The Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act, better known as the CHOOSE Act, created education savings accounts for eligible Alabama students. These accounts allow qualifying families to use state education funds for approved expenses such as private school tuition, online learning, curriculum, tutoring, educational technology, and other services.
For students enrolled in an approved participating school, the CHOOSE Act can provide up to $7,000 per student per year. Students participating outside a participating school, including through home education programs, may receive up to $2,000 per student, with a maximum of $4,000 per family. (revenue.alabama.gov)
You can review the program directly through the official Alabama CHOOSE Act website.
For families considering online Christian education, one of the most important parts of the program is that Alabama specifically allows qualifying funds to be used for tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Our Alabama CHOOSE Act approval is currently pending. If you are interested in using CHOOSE Act funds with Thrive, we recommend checking our Financial Aid page for the latest status.
What Is the Alabama CHOOSE Act?
The CHOOSE Act is Alabama’s education savings account program. It was created to give families more flexibility in choosing the educational setting and services that work best for their children.
The Alabama Department of Revenue administers the program, and ClassWallet is used to help manage ESA funds and approved purchases. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Instead of receiving unrestricted cash, families use their CHOOSE Act funds for approved educational expenses with participating schools and providers.
Eligible expenses may include private school tuition, nonpublic online learning programs, curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, educational software, certain technology, testing, and educational services for students with disabilities.
Alabama law specifically includes tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs as a qualifying expense. (revenue.alabama.gov)
You can also search the state’s current providers through the Alabama Education Service Provider directory.
How Much Is the Alabama CHOOSE Act Worth?
The amount your family may receive depends on how your student participates in the program.
| Educational Arrangement | Maximum Annual ESA |
|---|---|
| Student enrolled in a participating school | $7,000 |
| Student not enrolled in a participating school, including home education | $2,000 per student |
| Maximum for those students within one family | $4,000 per family |
The law limits the award to the lesser of the applicable ESA amount or the student’s qualifying educational expenses. (revenue.alabama.gov)
That means a student enrolled in a participating school with $6,000 in qualifying expenses would not automatically receive $7,000 to use elsewhere. The same principle applies to home education students receiving the $2,000 award.
Who Qualifies for the Alabama CHOOSE Act in 2026–27?
For the 2026–27 academic year, the CHOOSE Act is still subject to a household income limit.
A participating student’s family generally must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level for the preceding tax year. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Because the federal poverty level changes based on household size, there is not one income threshold that applies to every family.
Students must also meet Alabama’s residency and age requirements and cannot have already completed high school. Alabama generally defines an eligible student as an Alabama resident between ages 5 and 19, with extended eligibility through age 21 for certain students who qualify under IDEA or Section 504. (revenue.alabama.gov)
If you are unsure whether your family qualifies, we recommend reviewing the official CHOOSE Act eligibility information.
Who Gets Priority for CHOOSE Act Funding?
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not always guarantee an ESA award because funding is limited.
For 2026–27, Alabama reserves the first 500 ESAs for students with special needs. Additional priority is given to returning CHOOSE Act participants, certain military families, siblings of participating students, and eligible families based on household income. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Because of these funding priorities, families should apply during the official application period rather than assuming funds will automatically be available.
Will the Alabama CHOOSE Act Become Universal?
Yes. The program is scheduled to expand beginning with the 2027–28 school year.
Starting in 2027, the household income restriction is scheduled to be removed for otherwise eligible Alabama students. (revenue.alabama.gov)
That means families who do not qualify based on income for 2026–27 may be eligible beginning in 2027.
However, universal eligibility does not necessarily guarantee funding. Awards will still depend on available program funds and Alabama’s priority rules.
Can Homeschool Families Use the Alabama CHOOSE Act?
Yes. Alabama allows students participating in a home education program to receive CHOOSE Act funds.
This category can include homeschool programs, co-ops, and other approved home education arrangements. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Students in this category may receive up to $2,000 each, with a maximum of $4,000 per family.
For example, a family with one participating student may receive up to $2,000. A family with two or more participating students may receive up to the $4,000 household maximum.
Those funds can then be used for approved educational expenses with participating providers.
Can CHOOSE Act Funds Pay for Online School?
Yes. This is one of the most important parts of the program for families interested in flexible learning.
Alabama specifically allows CHOOSE Act funds to be used for tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs. (revenue.alabama.gov)
The state’s Education Service Provider directory also includes online educational providers, including organizations located outside Alabama. (revenue.alabama.gov)
You can search the current provider list through the Alabama Education Service Provider directory.
The amount of funding available may depend on how the student’s educational arrangement and provider are classified under Alabama’s rules.
What Is the Difference Between the $7,000 and $2,000 Awards?
This is an important distinction for families considering online education.
The $7,000 maximum award applies to students enrolled in an Alabama-approved participating school.
Alabama defines participating schools as approved accredited public or private K–12 schools, including qualifying church, parochial, and religious schools. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Students who are not enrolled in a participating school may receive up to $2,000 in qualifying expenses, subject to the $4,000 family cap.
This means that simply using an approved online education provider does not automatically mean a student qualifies for the full $7,000 school award.
Before planning around a specific amount, families should confirm how their student and provider are classified by Alabama.
Can You Use the Alabama CHOOSE Act With Thrive Online Academy?
Our Alabama CHOOSE Act approval is currently pending.
That means families should not yet assume that CHOOSE Act funds can be paid directly to Thrive.
We will update our Financial Aid page as soon as our status changes. You can also search Alabama’s official provider directory for the latest approved providers.
Once our approval is finalized, we will also clarify which Alabama funding category applies to students using Thrive.
What Does Thrive Online Academy Offer?
At Thrive, we provide Christian K–12 education for families who want the flexibility of learning from home without having to manage every part of their child’s education independently.
Our students study core subjects including Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Bible. We teach through a biblical worldview and offer multiple levels of teacher support so families can choose the structure that works best for their child.
Some students thrive with more independence. Others need regular one-on-one guidance. Our programs are designed to support both.
You can learn more about our academic approach on our Christian K–12 curriculum page, or meet our faculty and staff.
How Much Does Thrive Cost?
We currently offer several levels of teacher support.
| Thrive Program | Annual Tuition | Live Teacher Support |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | $4,000 | 0 hours/week |
| Guided | $6,000 | 2 hours/week |
| Advanced | $8,000 | 4 hours/week |
| Elite | $10,000 | 6 hours/week |
We also currently offer a 25% pay-in-full discount on annual tuition. Additional application and enrollment fees may apply.
You can compare all current options on our Fees and Tuition page.
If Thrive becomes an approved Alabama CHOOSE Act provider, families should compare their actual approved ESA amount with the program and support level they choose.
What Can Alabama ESA Funds Be Used For?
CHOOSE Act funds can be used for much more than private school tuition.
Qualifying expenses may include participating-school tuition and fees, nonpublic online learning programs, curriculum, textbooks, instructional materials, tutoring, educational software, standardized testing, college entrance exams, Advanced Placement exams, educational services for students with disabilities, certain technology, and other approved services.
Alabama’s regulations also include subjects such as Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Religion, Art, Music, and foreign languages within certain approved expense categories. (revenue.alabama.gov)
That flexibility can be especially helpful for families who want to build an education around their child’s needs rather than rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Can CHOOSE Act Funds Be Used for Christian Education?
Yes.
Alabama allows qualifying religious schools to participate in the CHOOSE Act, and the state’s regulations include religion as an eligible academic subject for certain educational expenses. (revenue.alabama.gov)
For families looking for a Christ-centered option, our approach at Thrive combines Christian curriculum, flexible learning, personalized support, and instruction from teachers who share our faith-based mission.
You can learn more about Thrive Online Academy or explore our Christian curriculum.
How Are CHOOSE Act Funds Paid?
CHOOSE Act funds are managed through a digital education savings account rather than being paid directly to families as unrestricted cash.
Alabama uses ClassWallet to help administer the program and coordinate payments. (revenue.alabama.gov)
For the 2026–27 school year, the state published the following schedule:
- December 15, 2025: Renewal applications opened
- January 2, 2026: New family applications opened
- March 31, 2026: Application deadline
- April 15, 2026: Award eligibility notifications
- Before June 30, 2026: Participating-school enrollment documentation due
- July 1, 2026: ESA funding began
- July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027: Funds available for approved expenses
Unused funds are returned to the CHOOSE Act Fund at the end of the academic year. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Can You Still Apply for the 2026–27 CHOOSE Act?
No. The 2026–27 application period closed on March 31, 2026. (revenue.alabama.gov)
If you missed the current application window, the next cycle is worth watching closely.
The 2027–28 school year is especially important because the current household income restriction is scheduled to be removed.
We recommend monitoring the official Alabama CHOOSE Act website for the next application dates.
How Do You Apply for the Alabama CHOOSE Act?
When applications reopen, families will apply through Alabama’s official CHOOSE Act system.
The process generally includes providing parent and student information, verifying Alabama residency, submitting income documentation when required, providing any special-needs or military documentation that applies, receiving an eligibility determination, and completing any required enrollment steps before funds are released.
Home education families may have different documentation requirements than families using a participating school.
Because the process can change from year to year, families should always follow the instructions for the current application cycle.
Alabama CHOOSE Act Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Alabama CHOOSE Act an ESA?
Yes. Alabama describes the CHOOSE Act benefit as an education savings account funded through refundable state income tax credits. (revenue.alabama.gov)
How much can families receive?
Students enrolled in participating schools may receive up to $7,000 annually. Students participating outside a participating school may receive up to $2,000 per student, with a maximum of $4,000 per family. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Is the CHOOSE Act available to every Alabama family?
Not for 2026–27. Families generally must have adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Beginning in 2027, that income restriction is scheduled to end for otherwise eligible students. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Can homeschool families participate?
Yes. Home education students may receive up to $2,000 per student, with a maximum of $4,000 per family. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Can CHOOSE Act funds pay for online education?
Yes. Alabama specifically includes tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs as qualifying educational expenses. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Can CHOOSE Act funds be used for Christian education?
Yes. Religious schools may participate, and Alabama includes religion among the approved academic subject areas for certain educational expenses. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Is Thrive approved for the Alabama CHOOSE Act?
Our approval is currently pending.
You can check our Financial Aid page for updates or search Alabama’s official provider directory.
When does the CHOOSE Act become universal?
Beginning in 2027, Alabama law is scheduled to remove the household income restriction for otherwise eligible students. Available funding and program priorities will still apply. (revenue.alabama.gov)
Interested in Using the Alabama CHOOSE Act With Thrive?
If you are looking for a flexible Christian education from home, we would be happy to help you explore whether Thrive is a good fit for your family.
Our programs combine Christ-centered curriculum, flexible scheduling, personalized teacher support, grading, academic accountability, chapel, clubs, and the ability to learn from home.
Our Alabama CHOOSE Act approval is currently pending, so we recommend confirming our approval status before making ESA-funded enrollment plans.
You can explore Thrive Online Academy, review our Christian curriculum, compare tuition and teacher support options, or learn more about our financial aid and ESA programs.