Expanding learning options statewide, more than 5,000 students participate in fourth year of Education Freedom Accounts
CONCORD, NH — During its fourth year of implementation, more than 5,300 students throughout New Hampshire are now enrolled in Education Freedom Accounts.
The number of Education Freedom Accounts increased from 4,663 during the 2023-2024 academic year to 5,321 at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, which represents an increase of about 14 percent, or 658 students.
“It is clear that there is a growing demand for more schooling options in the Granite State. The Education Freedom Account program is offering lower-income families assistance to choose whichever school or learning environment best meets the needs of their child,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner. “New Hampshire continues to deliver high quality educational pathways to families and the Education Freedom Account program for a fraction of the cost to taxpayers of a traditional education.”
Education Freedom Accounts allow eligible New Hampshire students to direct state funded per-pupil education grants toward select educational programming of their choice for a variety of learning experiences. There are currently 5,321 children enrolled in the EFA program that is offering grants totaling nearly $27.7 million this school year, or an average of $5,204 per student. The cost to taxpayers would be more than $99 million if the 5,321 EFA students, who are all eligible, attended a traditional public school. It is important to note that the EFA program consumes less than one percent of the total statewide and local education spending.
“Three of my children all needed something that the traditional school setting was not offering them. The Education Freedom Accounts allowed me to facilitate an academic learning experience for each one of them that they would not have been able to receive otherwise,” said Vilenky Rios of Nashua. “It has been life-changing, and my children are thriving like I have never seen before. I love that New Hampshire is providing this program and I wish that all of the states offered school choice for their residents.”
Families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to participate in the program. A family of four with an annual income limit of $109,200 may participate.
“We hear from families and children every day about how extremely grateful they are for the Education Freedom Account program,” said Kate Baker Demers of Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire, which operates the program. “… New Hampshire parents believe they should have the power to spend the taxes they pay for education on learning experiences and schools where they know their child will thrive. Education Freedom Accounts make that happen.”
More details are highlighted in the New Hampshire Department of Education’s 2024-2025 EFA Financial and Demographic Fact Sheets.