You Are Your Child’s
Strongest Advocate
Earn Money for Your School
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for parents like you to bring more educational options to students across Michigan and provide over $1 billion in additional funds for K–12 students.
Did you know? Currently, Michigan is ranked 44th in the nation for fourth grade reading.
Our kids need all the help they can get.
Empower yourself with information and learn the facts about The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC).
FAQ
The Working Families Tax Cut Act included the EFTC to help families in all 50 states access life-changing education opportunities for K-12 students. The EFTC has two parts: first, taxpayers receive a 100% tax credit (which, unlike a deduction, allows you to claim your donation dollar-for-dollar on your tax return) for donations up to $1,700 per year to nonprofits that give out K-12 scholarships. Second, eligible families – almost everyone but the highest income earners – can receive scholarships to cover a wide variety of education- related expenses.
In order for students to benefit from this historic education opportunity, the governor must notify the U.S. Treasury department of their state’s intention to participate in the program. Once Michigan opts in, nonprofit Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) across Michigan will be eligible to distribute the tax credit funds. Importantly, this is not a new government program. It is funded and operated privately.
Families earning up to 300% of the area median income qualify, that’s roughly 90% of U.S. households. Eligibility thresholds vary by county based on HUD income data.
EFTC covers a wide assortment of K-12 expenses under IRS Section 530(b)(3), including tuition, special needs services, tutoring, books, after school programs, technology, and more.
A new pool of scholarship funding for K-12 families starts on January 1, 2027.
Time is of the essence.
The TRUTH About the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC)
Myth
The EFTC is just another voucher program.
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Fact
This program is not a voucher program and can provide significant support to public school students. It can also be used to support students attending any type of school.
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Myth
The EFTC will cut funding to public schools.
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Fact
This program will not take a single dollar away from public schools or the Michigan School Aid Fund. It is 100% funded by donations.
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Myth
I still can’t send my child to the school of my choice, like a private or religious school.
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Fact
You can use the scholarship for any approved educational expense, including private school tuition. No federal or state restrictions apply, and religious liberty is strictly protected.
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Myth
Federal bureaucrats will control where the money goes.
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Fact
The EFTC is NOT run by the U.S. Department of Education. These are entirely privately funded scholarships. Each state is responsible for opting into the program and must accept any granting organization that meets the outlined qualifications.
Tell the governor to OPT IN on The EFTC.
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Myth
We don’t need yet another new government program.
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Fact
This program is already established in federal law, and it is not a government program.
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Myth
The money from this program will probably be wasted on bureaucracy.
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Fact
Under law, AT LEAST 90% of income from qualified contributions from the EFTC must be spent on student scholarships.
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Myth
Sounds expensive! Taxpayers could be on the hook for a huge bill for this program!
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Fact
Scholarships are paid for 100% by tax-credited donations from generous donors.
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Myth
My child probably wouldn’t qualify, anyway.
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Fact
90% of K-12 students are eligible under the 300% area median income threshold, providing access to the overwhelming majority of students.
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Myth
Special needs students don’t benefit from the EFTC.
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Fact
The EFTC includes “special needs services” as a stand-alone category, opening up educational therapies, specialized instruction, and supplementary services that too many families are currently paying for out-of-pocket.
The EFTC is a potential life-changer for families with students who have disabilities, and one of the categories least likely to be narrowed by Treasury’s eventual guidance.
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Myth
There’s nothing we can do to fix Michigan’s failing education system.
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Fact
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the authority to opt-in Michigan to this exciting opportunity and finally level the playing field for our next generation of young minds, but she needs to hear from constituents like YOU to make it happen.
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Stay Updated
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