Your child(ren) may be eligible to receive a free scholarship provided by the State of Georgia through the Pay it Forward scholarship program for the 2025-2026 school year (the deadline for the 2024-2025 school year has ended). 

The scholarships are based on specific criteria, but are not income-based or needs-based. About 70% of DCS students are eligible for a Pay it Forward scholarship. Once your child receives the scholarship, they are eligible to apply for the scholarship annually through 12th grade!

Pay it Forward scholarships are funded by the Georgia Qualified Education Expense (GA QEE) Tax Credit program.

How to apply for a Pay it Forward scholarship at DCS:

• Step 1: Submit the Pay it Forward scholarship application before the deadline. There is no fee to apply for the Pay it Forward scholarship:
  • For the 2025-2026 school year: Pay it Forward applications must be submitted by December 31, 2024.
• Step 2: In addition to applying for the scholarship, reserve a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit – not a deduction, an actual credit on your state taxes. Click here for tax credit details. 
• Step 3: Submit the DCS online application for admission for the upcoming school year.

How much is the scholarship?

DCS does not yet know how much the state will provide to eligible DCS students for the 2025-2026 school year. It will depend on how much is contributed through the tax credit program. However, eligible students at DCS have historically received between $2,000-$3,000 each year, which is applied toward tuition: 

• May 2022 Scholarship: $2,300 per eligible child (for 2022-2023 school year tuition)
• May 2023 Scholarship: $2,900 per eligible child (for 2023-2024 school year tuition)
• May 2024 Scholarship: $2,500 per eligible child (for 2024-2025 school year tuition)
• May 2025 Scholarship: $  TBD per eligible child (for 2025-2026 school year tuition)*