Which program pays for a special needs private school in Georgia?
Usually the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, because it has no zoning or income test. It requires an IEP, or a 504 plan for a listed condition, from a Georgia public school last year, and it pays tuition at an authorized school. 153 directory schools are authorized for 2026-27.
Can a child with a diagnosis use Promise instead?
Yes, if the family is zoned to a listed school. Promise doesn't require a diagnosis, and the account can pay licensed behavioral, occupational, physical and speech therapy as well as tuition. A student can't hold Promise and GSNS at the same time.
How many specialized schools are in the four counties?
26 schools in our directory are classified by the federal survey as special education schools or belong to an exceptional-children association. They range from Atlanta Speech School and The Howard School to much smaller learning-difference programs.
What should we ask a school before using GSNS?
Ask whether it can deliver the services in your child's current IEP or 504 plan, whether it has room in your child's grade, and how it bills while GSNS checks are pending. Being authorized doesn't mean a school offers every service.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| GSNS for IEP or qualifying 504 students from public school | A diagnosis-only program |
| Promise as an option for zoned families | Stackable with GSNS |
What's the next step?
Take the two-minute funding check. A School Funding Advisor will check your address and your child against each program and send you the dates.