DID YOU KNOW:
YOUR TAX OBLIGATION CAN TRANSFORM FUTURES?
HOW DO I CLAIM MY CREDIT
KEEP YOUR TAX DOLLARS CLOSE TO HOME WHILE SUPPORTING STRONG FUTURES FOR NEBRASKA FAMILIES
In 2025, the U.S. Congress passed a new federal tax credit to fund scholarships nationwide. Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska (OSN) looks forward to serving as a Scholarship Granting Organization when the tax credit goes into effect January 1, 2027.
Any taxpayer with federal income tax liability will be able to contribute up to $1700 ($3400 for joint filers) to OSN and claim a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. Those contributions will then be used to fund K-12 private school scholarships for Nebraska kids.
ONE OPPORTUNITY CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING
For many Nebraska families, the right school is just out of reach. Not because their children lack potential, but because they lack access.
Your contribution to Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska (OSN) will qualify for a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit on your 2027 tax return (likely filed in 2028). Individual taxpayers can contribute up to $1700 or $3400 for joint filers to OSN starting January 1, 2027.
Sign up to receive updates and to be amongst the first to know when you can make a tax credit contribution!
Email us at givehope@nebraskaopportunity.org with any questions.
Education Freedom Tax Credit Frequently Asked Questions
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Using the Education Freedom Tax Credit, taxpayers can receive a credit of up to $1,700 ($3400 for joint filers) 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.
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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.
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You will be able to designate a significant 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.
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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.
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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.
Want to make a tax-deductible charitable gift?
OSN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so you can give a tax-deductible charitable donation to OSN at any time without limit to help us get off the ground running and educate Nebraska families and students about the new scholarship program.
Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska has been recognized as exempt from income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. You should consult your personal tax advisor about the deductibility of your contribution and your record keeping obligations.