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Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Another public school within their district of residence; or
- Another public school district outside their district of residence; or
- One of the three state schools for the blind or deaf; or
- A private school authorized to participate in the GSNS Program.
Additionally, if you transfer your child to a private school in Georgia, your child may qualify for a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship to offset the cost of tuition and fees. Funds received through the GSNS Program can only be used to offset tuition and fees at a private school authorized by the State Board of Education to participate in the program. Funds cannot be used to offset the costs of out of district tuition, charter schools, or other options available under public school choice.
There are no exceptions to the Georgia Department of Education eligibility criteria. Â
- Student Eligibility Criteria 1 – A student have must a parent/guardian who currently lives in Georgia and has been a resident for at least one calendar year.
- Student Eligibility Criteria 2 – A student was enrolled and attended a Georgia public school (grades K – 12) the entire immediate prior school year. For example, eligibility for the 2012-2013 school year was based on enrollment and attendance during the 2011 – 2012 school year. NOTE: Pre-school special education students do not qualify. A student must complete a full school year in kindergarten at a Georgia public school before he/she can be eligible.
- Student Eligibility Criteria 3 – A student was reported by a school district(s) to the Georgia Department of Education during student counts conducted in October and March of the immediate prior school year. For example, eligibility for the 2012-2013 school year was based on the data reported for the October 2011 and March 2012 student counts.
- Student Eligibility Criteria 4 – A student does not need to have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the entire school year to qualify for the GSNS Program. A student must be reported by a school district(s) in either the October OR March student counts OR in student record as a student receiving special education services by the end of the school year.
                                 Department of Student Relations
                                 130 Trinity Avenue – 2nd Floor
                                 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
APPLICATION DATES:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
March 9 (Saturday)                                9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
March 11 – 29 (M-F)                                8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Parents will need to submit with their completed application, a copy of their photo ID and their current proof of residence. Parents may apply any time during the application window. Applications submitted on the last day receive the same consideration as applications submitted on the first day.
Lottery
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Private schools have no obligation to provide special education or related services to your child.
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You must waive your child’s federal rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) if you accept the scholarship. No special education or related services will be available from the public school.
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The scholarship may not cover the total cost of tuition and fees.
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You must provide daily transportation to and from the school.
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Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements will not receive a scholarship. There are no exceptions to the eligibility requirements.
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The student must have attended public school in Georgia in grades kindergarten through 12. Enrollment in a state pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-old children does not meet this requirement.
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Toddler and Pre-K students are not eligible. Students must complete one school year in grades K-12 in a Georgia public school before they are eligible for a scholarship.
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A home school operating under O.G.C.A. 20-2-690 is not eligible to enroll scholarship students.
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Residential Treatment Facilities are not eligible to enroll scholarship students.
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Department of Juvenile Justice Schools and students are not eligible for the scholarship.
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