Bill > SB295

This bill modifies New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program by removing the previous household income threshold for student eligibility, which previously limited participation to families earning less than or equal to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill establishes a total enrollment cap of 10,000 students for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with a provision to automatically increase the cap by 25 percent if applications reach 90 percent of the current limit. When student applications exceed the program cap, a priority system will be implemented, first favoring currently enrolled students, then their siblings, followed by children with disabilities, and finally students from lower-income families. The bill also requires the scholarship organization managing the EFA program to establish and publicize at least two application deadlines. These changes aim to expand access to education freedom accounts, potentially allowing more students to use state funds for educational alternatives like private schools or home schooling. The fiscal impact is expected to be complex, with potential cost variations depending on which school systems students transition from and the specific characteristics of the newly eligible student population.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=955&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB295