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On July 4 of this year Congress passed a megabill of more than 1,000 pages. Tucked inside was the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act, a new federal tax credit provision that could have a game-changing impact on Jewish day school education in Washington State.
This credit is designed to expand access to private and independent schools, including Jewish day schools, by multiplying the power of community donations into new scholarship funds. Beginning in 2027, individuals will be able to claim a dollar for dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 when donating to an approved scholarship-granting organizations.
Donors already play a vital role in sustaining Seattle-area Jewish day schools. These schools serve more than 450 children each year, with over 60% of families relying on some form of tuition assistance. Under this bill, both new and existing supporters of Jewish day school education can redirect up to $1,700 of their federal tax liability to an approved SGO—receiving a full dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit on that portion of their giving. Conservative projections indicate that even modest participation could generate more than $1 million annually in new scholarship funds for local Jewish day schools.
A Cost-Free Opportunity — But Only If Washington Opts In
There is one critical caveat: each state’s Governor must formally opt in. While several governors have signaled support, the federal opt-in process cannot begin until regulations are released — and Governor Ferguson has not yet indicated a position. Unfortunately, influential opponents have mischaracterized the tax credit as a voucher program that harms public schools.
The law itself makes it clear that this is simply not true. The Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act is not a voucher program, nor does it take money away from public schools. The program targets education donations and multiplies their impact through a federal tax credit. In practice, it allows individuals to redirect a portion of their federal tax liability to scholarship-granting organizations, creating new scholarships for Jewish and independent school families at no additional cost to donors.
Public Schools Benefit Too
Critics overlook provisions in the bill that benefit public school students as well. The law allows scholarship funds to cover tutoring, after-school programs, technology, and other educational expenses that families incur even when their children attend public schools. As the Boston Globe argued in a recent editorial explaining the potential benefits to public school students, “it would be foolish to deny scholarships to kids … simply because Republicans created them.”
Where Washington Stands Now
Governor Ferguson has not yet indicated a position.. But he, himself, is a product of Catholic schools. His parents chose to give him a private, faith-based education, an experience that has surely shaped his values, leadership, and path to public service. Washington’s Jewish and independent school families deserve the same opportunity: The chance for parents and grandparents to choose a private religious education for their children, supported by scholarship dollars that make these schools more accessible.
How the Tax Credit Program Works
Here’s how the program works: donors give money to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs)—nonprofits approved to distribute K–12 scholarships. If Washington participates, an SGO could be created to serve Jewish day schools, allowing donors to direct their gifts to that SGO for scholarships supporting Jewish K–12 education. Eligible families would then use those scholarships toward tuition or other eligible educational expenses.
The federal tax credit goes directly to donors—parents, grandparents, alumni, and community members—who want to support affordability for Jewish day school families.
If Washington opts in and donor participation is strong, Jewish day school families can expect a meaningful increase in scholarship support, helping reduce tuition burdens for many households.
What the Community Can Do
Samis is already working in partnership with other organizations, including Prizmah, Agudah, and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS), along with Catholic and Christian school networks. Our goal is to educate Governor Ferguson about the benefits of this program. But the most powerful voices he and legislators can hear are yours.
Please call or email the Governor and your local representatives today. It doesn’t need to be long; numbers matter most. You can simply say:
“As a constituent living in <town>, I’m calling to urge you to support Washington opting in to the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act, the federal tax credit scholarship program. This funding will benefit tens of thousands of students in Washington at no cost to the state. Please support K–12 education and opt in.”
Governor Ferguson: Call 360-902-4111 or leave a message on his comment page.
Legislators: Find your legislators here and email FirstName.LastName@leg.wa.gov or call their office.
The Window Is Open—But Not Forever
The program begins in 2027, and governors must make their decisions before then. This is a rare opportunity we cannot afford to miss. Millions in future scholarship dollars for Jewish day schools are at stake.
It is important that everyone have clear information on what this program is and what it is not. Setting aside partisan politics, this bill offers clear benefits to the Jewish community in the form of scholarship money for kids who could otherwise not afford a Jewish day school education. This program does not cut public school budgets, and it is not a voucher. It is a federal tax credit that multiplies private donations and creates new scholarships, while also allowing public school students to use these funds for eligible educational expenses such as tutoring, after-school programs, and technology. It is vital that we share clear information and focus on the opportunity for students.
Please share this post with family, friends, and networks so more people in our community will have clear information about this federal tax change and why it will provide an important new source of funding for scholarships at local Jewish day schools.
Melissa Rivkin is the Director of Day School Strategy at the Samis Foundation.
