General Questions
On June 24, 2021 the New Hampshire Legislature passed an Education Freedom Account (EFA) program which will offer grants for families, 350% of the poverty line or below, to spend on their children’s education, including tuition at the school of their choice, tutoring, online learning programs, educational supplies, internet connectivity, and other educational expenses.
All residents of New Hampshire who are eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school and whose income is less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level ($79,500 for a family of 4) can apply for an Education Freedom Account. Here are some examples:
- Currently attending a New Hampshire school that is remote or hybrid
- Currently assigned to a New Hampshire public school with assessment proficiency below 40%
- Currently attending a New Hampshire public school, including a chartered public school or non-public school
- A kindergarten or first-grade student
- A student in a microschool or pod
- A sibling of a student with an Education Freedom Account
The New Hampshire Children's Scholarship Fund was approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education to administer Education Freedom Accounts.
The scholarship organization will accept and approve applications for the fall and spring semesters each year.
Parents will then use the online platform ClassWallet provided by the scholarship organization to make approved payments to education service providers for materials and other educational expenses.
State education funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including school tuition, textbooks, technology, special education services, and other education-related expenses. The amount available averages approximately $4,600 per eligible child.