State-funded school choice programs—vouchers, ESAs, and tax-credit scholarships—are no longer limited to a handful of states. With new legislation like the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), momentum is accelerating at both the state and federal level.
For private and independent schools, this shift creates a significant enrollment opportunity, but only for those prepared to respond strategically.
In this blog, we’ll give Heads of Schools, Enrollment Directors, and Admissions Leaders a clear, practical overview of how these programs work, how they vary by state, and what implications they hold for enrollment strategy, funding models, and operations.
Whether your school is already participating in voucher programs or just starting to explore them, we’ll show best practices for private school financial aid management in 2026 and beyond.
RELATED: 7 Ways to Future-Proof Financial Aid for Private Schools
What Is the ECCA?
Signed into law in 2025, the ECCA creates a federal tax incentive covering families’ K-12 educational expenses, including private school tuition at secular and religious schools. Additional costs, such as fees, tutoring, transportation, and technology are often eligible.
To be eligible, families must maintain:
- An income below 300 percent of the local gross median income
- Attendance at a school within a state opting into the program.
Taxpayers who donate up to $1,700 annually to independent scholarship granting organizations would be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit for their contribution.
As of October 2025, only one state has officially enrolled in the program, Nebraska.
State-Level Vouchers
Voucher programs vary widely from state to state. Eligibility criteria may be based on family income, a student’s disability status, or may be universally available to all families regardless of circumstances.
The amount of funding provided can differ as well. Some states cover full tuition, while others offer only partial support. Payment methods also vary. In some states, funds are sent directly to the school, while in others, parents are reimbursed after making tuition payments.
Additionally, participating schools may face different requirements, such as maintaining accreditation, submitting standardized test results, or completing state audits. Finally, some programs require schools or families to use specific digital platforms or portals to process applications and payments.
More states adopting and expanding voucher access potentially creates new opportunities for families and expands enrollment pipelines for schools. With the right financial aid management system in place, schools can not only grow enrollment but also extend their impact, reaching more families who are actively seeking values-based, high-quality education options.
Preparing Your School
To place your school in the best possible position to capitalize on expanded government vouchers, consider the following:
- Confirm if your state has a voucher, ESA, or tax-credit program and whether your school is approved to participate.
- Apply for approval with your state’s Department of Education, if not yet approved.
- Review participation criteria for ECCA-certified federal scholarships.
- Make sure admissions, finance, and communications staff understand how to guide families through application and payment processes.
- Include language for third-party scholarships and voucher funding in enrollment contracts and payment plans.
Additional business-office responsibilities require consideration for how your school:
- Receives and tracks payments from multiple public and private sources
- Secures sensitive data from IRS forms, eligibility documents, and aid applications
- Reports outcomes as required by state programs (testing, demographics, progress data)
- Communicates clearly with diverse family populations
Private schools that have integrated platforms for tuition management, financial aid, and enrollment will find it easier to navigate this complexity.
Stay Mission-Aligned with School and Student Services® (SSS)
School choice is now a standard part of the K-12 landscape. Private K-12 and independent schools that take time to prepare by aligning their internal processes, equipping staff with the right training, and building strong, family-centered communication will be better able to welcome new families, manage funding smoothly, and continue fulfilling their mission in 2026 and beyond.
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