Ohio Group Launches Network to Fund Christian School Scholarships Under New Federal Tax Credit
The program begins Jan. 1, 2027, and 30 states have opted in. Only students in those states can receive scholarships, though taxpayers in any state can claim the credit.
See where this is ›WASHINGTON —
The Ohio-based Center for Christian Virtue has created the Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization to pay for scholarships at Christian schools under the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, The Christian Post reported Oct. 30. The group's president, Aaron Baer, discussed the effort during a visit to Washington, D.C.
See where this is ›The federal program begins Jan. 1, 2027. Eligible taxpayers can claim a tax credit of up to $1,700 for gifts to a scholarship-granting organization, which then helps students with education costs that include Christian school tuition. The U.S. Department of the Treasury proposed regulations for the program earlier in October.
Taxpayers in any state can claim the credit, but only students in opt-in states can receive scholarships. The Christian Post listed 30 states that have opted in so far: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Baer called the program the “greatest evangelism opportunity since the Billy Graham crusades.” He also pointed to a national assessment finding that about 70 percent of American fourth graders are not proficient in reading. “Because of this tax credit, we don't have to settle for broken public schools anymore,” he said.
Citing a low-end Wall Street Journal estimate of 5 percent first-year participation, Baer projected “upwards of $17 to $18 billion in scholarships.” The network has affiliates in 10 states. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have not opted in, and Baer said the group wants a presence in those states and plans to press their governors to join.
The group's “Stop Settling, Expect More” campaign includes a 30-second video showing a student hiding a cross under his shirt.
What we don't know yet: The Christian Post report quoted only Baer and his organization's campaign, so public school supporters and other critics of the tax credit are not represented in it. The $17 billion to $18 billion figure is Baer's projection. The Treasury regulations are proposed, and the report did not give the exact date they were issued.
