Does Kansas take part in the federal credit?

Yes. Opted in April 9, 2026 (By legislative override). Families here can get scholarships when the program starts on January 1, 2027.

Who decided for Kansas?

Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the opt-in, and the legislature overrode the veto.

Can people in Kansas donate and claim the credit?

Yes. Any US taxpayer can claim up to $1,700 against federal income tax for a donation to a qualifying scholarship granting organization, starting January 1, 2027.

January 1, 2027. Donations made on or after that date count toward the credit.

Who is eligible for scholarships?

Federal scholarships are available to support students in K-12 public, private, and religious schools whose household income does not exceed 300% of the area median gross income. Foster children are eligible without separate income verification. Kansas scholarships are available to K-12 students whose household income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty line and who are either enrolling in kindergarten for the first time or, in the previous year, were enrolled in public school or received an SGO scholarship.

How is my donation used?

SGOs are required to spend at least 90% of the contributions they receive on scholarships for eligible students.

The federal scholarship credit in Kansas

What it means for families in Kansas

K-12 students who live in Kansas can get a federal scholarship toward tuition and fees once the program starts. Household income has to be at or below 300% of your area's median, and foster children qualify automatically.

Scholarships are paid to a partner school, so the first step is finding out whether your child's school takes part. If it doesn't yet, recommend it and we'll reach out.

Check eligibility How to apply

What it means for donors in Kansas

Any US taxpayer can donate and claim up to $1,700 against federal income tax, dollar for dollar, starting January 1, 2027. When you donate to CEN SGO, you choose the partner school your donation supports.

Kansas also has its own scholarship tax credit. Donors cannot claim a federal and state tax credit on the same funds, so your $1,700 federal credit contribution needs to be claimed separately from any claimed state credit contribution.

Estimate your credit The donor guide

For schools in Kansas

Families only get scholarships through a partner school, so schools come first. Registering with CEN SGO costs nothing. It's one agreement, and CEN handles donor receipts, income checks, awards, payments and reporting.

Schools that register before donations open on January 1, 2027 can run a pledge campaign with their parents first.

Kansas at a glance

Kansas has opted in to the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, so families here can get scholarships when the program starts on January 1, 2027.

See where every state stands

April 9, 2026
Opted in · By legislative override: Laura Kelly
Governor, vetoed the opt-in: January 1, 2027
The federal credit goes live: $1,700
The most a donor can claim each year: 75% credit on donations up to $500,000
State scholarship credit

Official sources

Key dates

Every date in one place

April 9, 2026
Kansas opted in (By legislative override)
October 1, 2026
Treasury publishes its proposed and temporary regulations
January 1, 2027
The first day a donation earns the federal credit
Next
February 15, 2027
States submit their lists of scholarship granting organizations to the IRS
December 31, 2027
The last day to donate for the 2027 return
Early 2028
IRS Form 8525 comes out and 2027 returns are filed

State credit

Kansas's own scholarship credit

In Kansas, if you donate any amount up to $500,000 to scholarship granting organizations, you can receive a state tax credit equivalent to 75% of the amount donated.

Two separate donations. Donors cannot claim a federal and state tax credit on the same funds, so your $1,700 federal credit contribution needs to be claimed separately from any claimed state credit contribution.

Questions

Questions about Kansas

Short answers for families and donors in Kansas. Every other question is on the FAQ page.

Does Kansas take part in the federal credit?
Yes. Opted in April 9, 2026 (By legislative override). Families here can get scholarships when the program starts on January 1, 2027.
Who decided for Kansas?
Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the opt-in, and the legislature overrode the veto.
Can people in Kansas donate and claim the credit?
Yes. Any US taxpayer can claim up to $1,700 against federal income tax for a donation to a qualifying scholarship granting organization, starting January 1, 2027.
When does it start?
January 1, 2027. Donations made on or after that date count toward the credit.
Can I claim a state credit too?
Yes, with two separate donations. Donors cannot claim a federal and state tax credit on the same funds, so your $1,700 federal credit contribution needs to be claimed separately from any claimed state credit contribution.
Who is eligible for scholarships?
Federal scholarships are available to support students in K-12 public, private, and religious schools whose household income does not exceed 300% of the area median gross income. Foster children are eligible without separate income verification. Kansas scholarships are available to K-12 students whose household income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty line and who are either enrolling in kindergarten for the first time or, in the previous year, were enrolled in public school or received an SGO scholarship.
How is my donation used?
SGOs are required to spend at least 90% of the contributions they receive on scholarships for eligible students.

Keep reading

Guides for families and donors

Other states that have opted in

Families in every opted-in state can get scholarships when the program starts. Each state has its own page.

All 50 states and DC

Is your child's school in Kansas?

Recommend it and we'll reach out to the school about taking part. It takes a minute.