SB-10 Special Needs Scholarship Program

  • The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) Program is a school choice program available for special needs students attending Georgia public ​schools​ who are served under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

    ​If a student meets the eligibility criteria (on the right) for the GSNS Program; a parent/guardian has the right to request a transfer from a student’s current public school to:

    Public School Choice / Intra-School Transfer Options

    A parent can request a transfer to another public school within their school system as long as there is available space at that school and the school has a program with the services agreed to in the student's existing individualized education program (IEP). In addition, the specific program within the school must also have available space. If a parent chooses this option, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation. To apply for this option, a parent must complete and submit the online SB-10 In-System Transfer Request.

    All requests must be submitted electronically using the button below. The transfer application must be received by the Fulton County School District no later than May 1, 2023. All transfer decisions will be communicated by June 30, 2023.

     

    SB-10 Transfer Window For The 2023-2024 School Year Is Now Closed

     

    Private School Choice Option

    If you are interested in transferring your child to a private school in Georgia, you may be able to take advantage of a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship. These scholarships provide funding that can be used to offset tuition costs at participating private schools in the state of Georgia.  Eligibility will be determined by using the scholarship calculator on the GSNS website. For more information on the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and the parent application process, please visit the Georgia Department of Education's website. 

     

    Inter-District Transfer​s (Outside of School System) Option

    A parent may request a transfer to a school in another school system if there is available space and the system and school has a program with the services agreed to in the student's existing individualized education program.  If the parent chooses this option and the school system accepts the child, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation to a school in that system.  For more information, parent would have to reach out to that school district of choice.

     

    State School Transfer Option

    A parent may also request a transfer to one of the state schools for the deaf and/or blind operated by the State Board of Education. Acceptance into a state school will depend on if that setting is appropriate for the student's needs. If the parent chooses this option, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation to the state school. Please contact the Georgia Department of Education for more information about transferring to a State School.​

Eligibility Criteria

  • See the GA Department of Education for additional information

     

    Student Eligibility Criteria 1

    A student must have a parent/guardian who currently lives in Georgia and has been a resident for at least one calendar year.

     

    Student Eligibility Criteria 2

    A student was enrolled and completed the prior school year in a Georgia public school in grades kindergarten through twelfth.

     

    Student Eligibility Criteria 3

    A student was reported as attending a Georgia public school by a school district(s) during mandatory student counts conducted in October and March. (Must have been reported for both FTE counts.)

     

    Student Eligibility Criteria 4

    A student does not need to have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the entire school year to qualify for the GSNS Program. A student must have received special education services at some point during the prior school year through an IEP. A student must be reported by a school district(s) as a student receiving special education services during the October or March FTE count or in the final Student Record report at the end of the year.