Every day, I have the privilege of talking with Alabama families whose lives have been changed by educational opportunity. I also talk with Alabama taxpayers who are surprised to learn that they have the power to create that opportunity.
That's because many people have never heard of the Alabama Accountability Act (AAA) Scholarship Program.
For more than a decade, the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund has helped low-income students and students with unique educational needs attend the school that's the best fit for them. Yet today, millions of dollars in available tax credits remain unreserved, not because the need isn't there, but because too few taxpayers know this opportunity exists.
Today, there is $38 million in Alabama tax credits still available to reserve.
Here's what many people don't realize: you're already paying Alabama state income taxes. Through the Alabama Accountability Act, eligible individuals and businesses can redirect up to 100% of their Alabama income tax liability to fund scholarships for students across our state, while receiving a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit. You're not paying more in taxes. You're simply choosing where eligible tax dollars can make an impact.
Making a contribution is straightforward. You can donate to the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, reserve your tax credit through My Alabama Taxes, and receive confirmation for your records. The process is simple, but the impact can last a lifetime.
It's easy to talk about tax credits and scholarship funds. But behind every scholarship is a student with dreams, a family searching for the right educational environment, and a future waiting to be shaped.
Take Maleah Tigner.
Tigner made history as the first black valedictorian at Chambers Academy. Her academic success opened doors for her own future, but her impact reached even further. Inspired by his daughter's determination, Tigner's father returned to school and earned his GED. One scholarship didn't just change the course of one student's life. It inspired an entire family.
Tigner's story is remarkable, but it isn't unique.
Across Alabama, students are finding confidence in classrooms where they feel supported. They're preparing for college, careers, military service, and technical training. At Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore, students who once struggled have found a learning environment designed to help them succeed. Other scholarship recipients have remained in the right school since kindergarten, giving them the consistency and support to grow academically and personally year after year.
These stories remind us that educational opportunities look different for every child. While many students thrive in their neighborhood public school, others need a different setting to reach their full potential. The AAA Scholarship helps make that choice possible for families who otherwise couldn't afford it.
Every Alabama taxpayer will pay taxes. Few realize they have a choice about where some of those dollars can make a difference.
The remaining $38 million in available tax credits represents more than dollars waiting to be reserved. It represents students waiting for opportunity, families searching for hope, and communities that grow stronger when children have the chance to succeed.
The question isn't whether you'll pay your Alabama taxes.
The question is whether your tax dollars can help write the next success story.
Sherri Rowton is the director of development for the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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