ETC Scholarships

New Hampshire’s Education Tax Credit (ETC) program was created by the legislature in 2012 and launched in January 2013. Businesses and individuals may make donations through the ETC program and receive credits against their Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, or Interest and Dividends Tax. These donations are then given as scholarships to low-income children, those most at-risk for life-long academic challenges, for tuition at an alternative education provider or for home education purposes.

Per statute, eligibility is based on two criteria: 1) the family’s annual income must not exceed 300% of the federal poverty limit, which is $75,300 for a family of four; and 2) the child must be “switching” from his or her local public school to an out-of-district public school, a private school, or a home education program, or as of 2018, be a new Kindergartner or 1^st grade student entering one of these alternative educational environments.

To date New Hampshire’s program has been utilized by 877 children. For the 2018-2019 school year, there are 413 scholarship recipients; 62% are at or below the federal Free and Reduced Lunch poverty line, which is $46,400 for a family of four; and 16% of scholarship students have special needs.

There are two approved scholarship organizations in New Hampshire; the Children’s Scholarship Fund NH and the Giving and Going Alliance.

Below is a list of articles about the Education Tax Credit program as well as various bills filed in 2019 to diminish or repeal the program.

General

NH Specific — Overview

NH Specific – 2019 Legislation

Constitutionality & Blaine Amendment

Media Coverage, Opinions, and Editorials