Last verified: October 2026
What is the first layer for most Birmingham families?
The CHOOSE Act ESA is the first layer: $7,000 a year at any school on ALDOR's participating list, with no income test starting in 2027-28. Families at or under 250% of poverty, or with a child on an IEP or 504 plan, should also price an Accountability Act scholarship, which can reach $10,000 at some schools.
Can two state programs be stacked?
No. A student receiving an Accountability Act scholarship is excluded from the CHOOSE Act, so a family chooses the better of the two for each child. Private help (school aid, parish pricing, the Edu Fund partner scholarship where offered) is not restricted.
What does the school itself add?
Need-based aid, sibling discounts and member pricing for congregations. Ask which of the school's fees are on the CHOOSE Act approved list: registration, book, technology and testing fees are payable from the account, while uniform, athletic and field-trip fees are not.
What about the years before kindergarten?
First Class Pre-K is free for 4-year-olds who win a seat at a funded site, and DHR's child care subsidy and Childcare Resources help working families with younger children and aftercare.
What stacks and what doesn't
| Stacks with the ESA | Doesn't stack with the ESA |
|---|---|
| School need-based aid and discounts | An Accountability Act SGO scholarship |
| Parish or congregation pricing | A second CHOOSE Act award for the same child |
| Edu Fund partner scholarship (participating schools) |