McGuire: “Today’s announcement is a victory for parents, students, and educational opportunity.”
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Families Foundation today welcomed Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that New York will join the federal scholarship tax credit program, opening the door to additional educational support for students and families starting in 2027.
“Today’s announcement is a victory for parents, students, and educational opportunity,” said Jason J. McGuire, President and CEO of New York Families Foundation. “We thank Governor Hochul for recognizing that New York’s children should benefit from this opportunity. Families across our state deserve access to resources that help their children learn, grow, and succeed.”
In her statement, Governor Hochul said the program could bring millions of additional dollars to New York students and families without cutting funding for public schools or drawing on state or local budgets. She also emphasized its potential to benefit public school students.
Beginning January 1, 2027, the federal program will allow eligible individual taxpayers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations will provide scholarships for eligible elementary and secondary education expenses.
“Supporting educational opportunity means recognizing that children have different needs and that parents play a central role in meeting those needs,” McGuire said. “This program can help eligible students in public, private, and religious schools. Expanding opportunities for families is something New Yorkers should celebrate together.”
McGuire also credited President Donald Trump and Congress with creating the program and thanked the parents, grandparents, educators, and advocates who encouraged New York’s participation.
“To everyone who contacted the Governor, shared this opportunity with a friend, or urged state leaders to put students first: Thank you,” McGuire said. “Your voices helped keep this issue before our elected officials. Today is encouragement for every New Yorker who sometimes wonders whether speaking up makes a difference.”
New York Families Foundation looks forward to the completion of the steps necessary for participation and to an implementation process that makes the program accessible to eligible families across the state.
“Today, we celebrate an open door,” McGuire concluded. “Now we want to see that opportunity translate into meaningful help for New York’s children.”
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About New York Families Foundation: New York Families Foundation is a nonprofit organization working toward a New York where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.
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