Georgia House Bill HB1378

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/26

Caption

Georgia Promise Scholarship Act; clarify student residency qualification for promise scholarship accounts

Impact

The proposed amendments to the scholarship act would centralize the residency requirements to align closely with existing public school attendance zones. This change may have implications for students who have previously been able to claim eligibility based on broader definitions of residency. The bill emphasizes the importance of being enrolled or at least eligible to enroll in qualified public schools as a prerequisite for receiving scholarship funds, potentially restricting access for those living outside specified attendance zones.

Summary

House Bill 1378 aims to amend the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act by clarifying student residency qualifications for promise scholarship accounts. The legislative intent behind this bill is to ensure that only eligible students can access these scholarship funds based on specific residency criteria. By revising the language around whom qualifies as a participating student, the bill seeks to create a clearer pathway for families to understand eligibility requirements for financial assistance in education.

Contention

As with many educational funding reforms, there are noteworthy points of contention surrounding HB 1378. Proponents of the bill argue that clarifying residency requirements will prevent abuse of the system and ensure that the funds are directed to the students who truly reside in the district. Conversely, critics may express concern that such restrictions could disproportionately affect lower-income families who may not fit perfectly into defined attendance zones, potentially limiting their educational choices.