It's Easy To Apply

It's Easy To Apply

  • The 2026 application will open no later than May 1, 2025

  • Deadline to apply is December 31, 2025

  • You must upload your most recently filed tax return

  • Every student needs their own application

  • Each year, you will need to submit an updated application

Apply for the 2026 Pay it Forward Scholarship

It’s Easy to Apply for a Pay it Forward Scholarship

  • Eligibility Requirements*

    In order to be approved to receive a Pay it Forward Scholarship, a student must meet the eligibility requirements as set forth in the law which governs our program and by which we operate. Once a student qualifies in any category for a scholarship, they remain qualified for their entire school career, however they must submit an updated scholarship application each year.

    - Students must be Georgia Residents

    - Students in PreK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade are automatically eligible

    Students in 2nd grade and older may be eligible, however they must meet one of these five criteria*:

    - Received a PIFS (or other SSO) scholarship previously

    - Attended public school for six weeks (last year) prior to enrolling in private school

    - Been homeschooled for one year (last year) prior to enrolling in private school

    - Zoned to attend a low performing public school

    - Documented case of bullying

    *Documentation may be required in order to verify eligibility.

  • How to Estimate the Scholarship Amount

    Your student will receive an equal share of the scholarship funds donated to your school in a given year. For example, if we have $10,000 in scholarship funds for your school and there are 10 approved students, then each student receives a $1,000 scholarship.

    Examples: Click here for a visual

  • Income Limitations

    Scholarships have caps based on the maximum amount published annually by the Georgia Department of Education ($13,959 for 2025) as well as a household's net taxable income.

    Under $30,000 = maximum of 100% of tuition and fees

    $30,000-$60,000 = maximum of 90% of tuition and fees

    Over $60,000 = maximum of 80% of tuition and fees

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Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

Additional FAQs can be found here: https://www.payitforwardscholarships.com/faqs

Can I apply for the scholarship if I am not required to file a tax return?

Yes, please contact our office for alternate instructions if you do not have a tax return to upload to the scholarship application.

How can I know how much of a scholarship my child will receive?

While we can't give you an exact amount prior to our distribution, we do want to tell you how we calculate the distribution. The dollar amount of tax credits designated and donated for your school are divided equally amongst the # of students who applied for a Pay it Forward Scholarship and who are both eligible and enrolled, which results in the scholarship amount per student. Click here for a visual.

I applied for a scholarship for my child but was told there were no funds available. Can you explain why that is?

Scholarships are funded by Georgia’s QEE Tax Credit program, specifically by taxpayers who donate their tax dollars and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their GA-500 Form. The taxpayer has the ability to designate their funds to a particular school. Therefore, if we do not receive any tax credits designated for the school where your child applied, we have no scholarship funds to distribute.