FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2026
Contact: Anne Lesser, [email protected]
Campaign highlights new educational resources the program will deliver to New York students in elementary and secondary education
Albany, New York — Today, Invest in Education Coalition Inc. Action Fund New York, launched a new ad thanking Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) for her support of the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program and her intent for New York to participate in the program.
Click HERE to watch
The 30-second ad highlights how the program will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in new educational resources to New York students, the overwhelming number of whom attend district public schools, including support for tutoring, extended day programs, special needs services, educational technology, and other qualified benefits that help children learn and succeed.
Governor Hochul’s office recently reiterated her support by stating:
“Governor Hochul’s priority is making sure every student receives an education that best meets their needs, which is why she wants the federal scholarship tax credit to benefit all New York students,” Jonah Allon, a spokesperson for the governor, said in a statement. “These credits have the potential to expand academic opportunity for public and private school students across our state without diverting resources from public schools or state and local budgets. All stakeholders should work together to ensure this program can be implemented to maximize benefits for all New York schools, including our public schools.”
Beginning January 1, 2027, the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program allows eligible taxpayers to receive a 100 percent federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for charitable contributions to qualified not-for-profit scholarship granting organizations. Those organizations then award scholarships to eligible K-12 students in participating states for qualified educational expenses.
Importantly, this program will benefit children throughout New York who attend both public and non-public schools by expanding affordability and access to additional educational goods and services.
Broad Program Support by New York and National Voters
A recent poll conducted by J. Wallin Opinion Research, found overwhelming support among New York voters for the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program. Nearly nine in ten voters (88%) support New York participating in the program, while 91% agree that Governor Hochul should act now to ensure the state participates. The findings also underscore the importance New Yorkers place on education, with 95% saying local K–12 education is important to maintaining and improving the quality of life in their communities.
The strong support in New York reflects a broader national consensus. In a separate national poll conducted by Morning Consult, 67% of registered voters support their state participating in the program, with support crossing party lines, including 70% of Democrats, 63% of Independents and 67% of Republicans. Nearly nine in ten voters (89%) also say families need access to additional educational resources beyond existing school budgets, while 72% believe it is important for their governor to opt in by the January 1, 2027 deadline.
Together, the findings demonstrate that support for expanding educational resources crosses party lines and geographic boundaries, and that New Yorkers are particularly eager to see their state take advantage of this new federal opportunity.
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