Special Education Services
SB 10 Special Needs Scholarship
The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) Program is a school choice program available for special needs students attending Georgia public schools who are served under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
If a student meets the eligibility criteria (listed at the bottom of the page) for the GSNS Program; a parent/guardian has the right to request a transfer from a student’s current public school to:
Public School Choice / Intra-School Transfer Options
A parent can request a transfer to another public school within their school system as long as there is available space at that school and the school has a program with the services agreed to in the student's existing individualized education program (IEP). In addition, the specific program within the school must also have available space. If a parent chooses this option, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation. To apply for this option, a parent must complete and submit an out of district application.
Private School Choice Option
If you are interested in transferring your child to a private school in Georgia, you may be able to take advantage of a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship. These scholarships provide funding that can be used to offset tuition costs at participating private schools in the state of Georgia. Eligibility will be determined by using the scholarship calculator on the GSNS website. For more information on the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and the parent application process, please visit the Georgia Department of Education's website.
Inter-District Transfers (Outside of School System) Option
A parent may request a transfer to a school in another school system if there is available space and the system and school has a program with the services agreed to in the student's existing individualized education program. If the parent chooses this option and the school system accepts the child, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation to a school in that system. For more information, parent would have to reach out to that school district of choice.
State School Transfer Option
A parent may also request a transfer to one of the state schools for the deaf and/or blind operated by the State Board of Education. Acceptance into a state school will depend on if that setting is appropriate for the student's needs. If the parent chooses this option, then the parent shall be responsible for transportation to the state school. Please contact the Georgia Department of Education for more information about transferring to a State School.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Georgia Special Scholarship award with an IEP for the 2023-2024 school year the student must meet the following requirements:
The student's parent currently resides within Georgia and has been a Georgia resident for at least one calendar year however, that the one-year requirement shall not apply if the student's parent is an active-duty military service member stationed in Georgia within the previous year; AND
The student had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in effect during the 2022-2023 school year; AND
The student spent the prior school year in attendance* at a Georgia public school.
*Prior school year in attendance - the student was enrolled and reported by a public school system or school systems for funding purposes at the time of both FTE program counts, conducted each school year in October and March. See OCGA 20-2-2112 (5)
Prior school year in attendance shall not apply if:
§ The student's parent is an active-duty military service member stationed in Georgia within the previous year; OR
§ The student has been adopted or placed in a permanent guardianship from foster care pursuant to an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction within the previous year; OR
§ The student previously qualified for a scholarship as provided in state law.