2027-28 is the first CHOOSE Act year with no income limit

Last verified: October 2026

Is there an income limit on the CHOOSE Act for 2027-28?

No. The statute limits the credit to families at or under 300% of the federal poverty level only for tax years 2025 and 2026; for years beginning January 1, 2027, it is available to any parent of an eligible student. ALDOR and the Governor's office have both said 2027-28 applications are open to all Alabama families regardless of income.

Does that mean every applicant will be funded?

Not automatically. The law still ranks applicants when money is short: 500 awards reserved for special-needs students, then prior-year participants and their siblings, then active-duty military dependents at D- or F-graded schools, then families by income relative to poverty. A higher-income family new to the program sits at the end of that line.

When do 2027-28 applications open?

ALDOR has said January 2027 but had not posted portal dates on October 28, 2026. For comparison, the 2026-27 renewal portal opened December 15, 2025, the new-family portal opened January 2, 2026, both closed March 31, and award notices began April 15.

What should a Birmingham family do before January?

Pick the school or home-education route, confirm the school is on ALDOR's participating list, and gather proof of Alabama residency, 2025 and 2026 tax information, and any IEP, 504 or military orders. Families of children with an IEP or 504 plan should apply as early as the portal allows, since that priority group has a fixed 500 seats.

Start the funding check →