Starting January 1, 2027, you can direct up to $1700 of your federal income tax liability to support Nebraska kids and families seeking K-12 private school scholarships. Keep your tax dollars in Nebraska, and give hope to local kids... it's a no-brainer!
Sign up here to be amongst the first to know when you can make a tax credit contribution to OSN.
If you are a Nebraska nonpublic school hoping to partner with OSN, please contact us at info@nebraskaopportunity.org.
JAYLEESHA COOPER, STUDENT
“Without school choice, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
My mom worked multiple jobs while going to college so that I could go to a private school. I was eventually able to attend Holy Name Catholic School. From there, I was able to go to Duchesne Academy, which prepared me to attend one of the top 10 universities in the United States. I would not have been able to do that without the hard work my mom put in and the generosity of private donors.
But sometimes it’s not possible for parents to work that many jobs or for students to be lucky enough to receive a limited scholarship. Kids need a backup option where they can get funds to be able to have a chance to better their education and go to the school that’s right for them.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does the Education Freedom Tax Credit work?
Using the Education Freedom Tax Credit, taxpayers can receive a credit of up to $1,700 for contributions made to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that would otherwise have been owed to the government in Federal income taxes. A tax credit reduces the amount of Federal income tax owed dollar-for-dollar (unlike a deduction, which decreases taxable income). The tax credit is available to any individual who is a citizen or resident of one of the States or the District of Columbia and makes qualified contribution(s) to SGO(s) during the taxable year.
Who can claim the Education Freedom Tax Credit?
Any individual who is a citizen or resident of one of the fifty States or the District of Columbia may claim the credit if the individual makes a charitable contribution to an SGO such as OSN for that taxable year. OSN will then use contributions to fund scholarships for eligible students.
Can I use my contribution to help students at a particular school?
You will be able to designate a portion of your contribution to benefit kids who choose the school that matters most to you (as the law allows). Taxpayers cannot designate a specific beneficiary with their contribution.
Which students qualify for scholarships through the Education Freedom Tax Credit?
An eligible student is one who can enroll in a public K-12 school and from a household with income not greater than 300% of the area’s median gross income qualify for a scholarship through the Education Freedom Tax Credit. Practically, that means most K-12 Nebraska students will be eligible to apply for an Education Freedom Scholarship.
When will scholarships be available?
Available scholarship funds will depend on how many tax credit contributions OSN receives from federal taxpayers. We are hopeful that OSN will be able to distribute funds to eligible Nebraska students the Fall of 2027.
Please feel free to contact us at info@nebraskaopportunity.org or call or text 402.205.7047 with any questions!