What's left after the award? Six metro Atlanta examples
The question every family asks after hearing $6,500: what do we still owe? Here is the 2026-27 Promise amount set against illustrative tuition at six kinds of school in the four counties.
What's left after a $6,500 Promise award at Atlanta private schools?
Anywhere from nothing to more than $20,000, depending on the school. At small church-run schools, illustrative tuition near $8,000 leaves a gap of a little over a thousand dollars, while at large independent schools the account covers a small share and school aid decides the outcome.
What fills the gap if Promise doesn't cover tuition?
School-based aid first, then congregation or parish help, and the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship at participating partner schools. An SSO scholarship can't be stacked on Promise, so a family offered a large SSO award should compare the two.
| Scenario | Promise, 2026-27 | Tuition (illustrative) | Result | Then what |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Church-run K-5 academy in South DeKalb, kindergartner in a listed zone | $6,500 | $7,800 | $1,300 to cover | Usually closes with a member discount or a small payment plan. |
| Parish Catholic elementary in Decatur, 3rd grader in a listed APS zone | $6,500 | $11,000 | $4,500 to cover | Parish and archdiocesan aid typically work on the remainder. |
| Montessori elementary in Smyrna, 1st grader in a listed Cobb zone | $6,500 | $14,000 | $7,500 to cover | A larger gap; the school's own aid is the main lever. |
| Home study plus a two-day enrichment program in Lawrenceville | $6,500 | $4,200 | $2,300 left in the account | The rest of the account covers curriculum, a certified tutor and the spring test. |
| Christian high school in Kennesaw, 9th grader in a listed zone | $6,500 | $16,000 | $9,500 to cover | Dual Enrollment in 11th and 12th grade can trim course costs later. |
| Independent college-prep school in Buckhead, 6th grader in a listed zone | $6,500 | $30,000 | $23,500 to cover | Promise covers about a fifth; need-based aid decides affordability. |
Tuition figures are illustrative assumptions, not quotes. Georgia doesn't collect private school tuition, so confirm with each school. Every scenario assumes the student is zoned to a listed school and the school is a Promise participant.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| The published 2026-27 Promise amount against assumed tuition | Real prices at named schools |
| A way to see how school type changes the gap | A promise of school aid |
If there's a gap
School aid, parish and congregation help, the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship at participating partner schools, and from 2027 the federal scholarship credit.
Funding sources →If there's money left
Promise balances can buy curriculum, certified tutoring, therapy, devices and tests, and up to half can roll into next year.
What Promise pays for →See which Georgia programs reach your child
Two minutes, no documents. A School Funding Advisor calls back with the sources that apply and the dates that matter.