For Participating Schools
Why should your school partner with NWG Scholars Program?
We take very serious the meaning of the word “partner”. At NWG Scholars we believe that we have a responsibility to help our member schools with more than simply “pushing paper” into an electronic data system, and assessing a state mandated fee for that service. At NWG Scholars we are committed to partnering with our member schools to put boots on the ground to raise program awareness and to create sustainable cultivation campaigns to also get your community businesses involved. From inception, our goal remains focused on cultivating and soliciting businesses to participate is this school choice program.
How can our school participate in the Georgia tax credit scholarship program?
Very simple! The State only requires that an independent school be accredited or in process of accreditation with one of 7 State recognized organizations. Please contact us so that we can discuss further how NWG Scholars can help make the Georgia tax credit scholarship program a success at your school.
Who is eligible to receive a scholarship?
The State has defined parameters as to who is eligible to receive an SSO scholarship. Children eligible to enroll in a Georgia qualified (public) school Pre-K, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade program students who are currently enrolled at a Georgia public school qualify. From 2nd grade and beyond, NWG Scholars policy requires that a student must have attended at least one full semester of public school in order to be considered eligible. NWG Scholars partner schools reserve the right to enforce stricter policies. Home School students, KIPP School students, Charter School students are also eligible. Once a student receives an NWG Scholars scholarship, they remain eligible for the balance of their career through 12th grade.
Can I direct my contribution to help a specific student?
NWG Scholars does not accept donations specifically requesting an individual student as a recipient. Donors would lose their ability to receive a charitable contribution, as well as the Georgia tax credit. Most importantly, NWG Scholars is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is bound first and foremost by the rules and regulations governing this special status. As a 501(c)(3), NWG Scholars is not permitted to accept any donations directed to a specific individual. By doing so, NWG Scholars would be putting its non-profit status in jeopardy and in turn, its SSO status in jeopardy.
How can NWG Scholars help communicate the details of the program to our Northwest Georgia community?
NWG Scholars believes that we have a responsibility to not only act as your SSO, but in doing so to also solicit scholarships funds, regardless of your help, from the many corporations that conduct business in our great state. We are happy to help in other ways, such as providing marketing materials to present at a parent meeting, sitting in on, or facilitating, donation requests, and other ways necessary to help your school meet its financial need . NWG Scholars can tailor and help implement a specific marketing plan for your school. Please contact us to discuss how we can meet your specific needs.
How do I make a scholarship recommendation?
Complete the Scholarship Recommendation Form. Once we receive your school’s recommendation, the process from receipt to the check being cut is typically less than two weeks.
When can I make scholarship recommendations?
Anytime your school has an eligible applicant.
How does the scholarship award process work?
The school completes a Scholarship Recommendation Form based upon available funds. NWG Scholars reviews and approves the award and then cuts a check for the requested award amount. The check will be written jointly to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and the school, but will be sent directly to the school. The school will then have the responsibility to invite the award recipient(s) to the school to simultaneously endorse the back of the check. Include “Pay to the order of (your school name)” and have the authorized signatures sign the back of the check.
For Participating School Scholarships
NWG Scholars works closely with its Participating Schools in the scholarship award process. If interested in applying for a NWG Scholars scholarship, please contact the school of your choice to inquire about what financial assistance opportunities are available.
Beyond the internal requirements of NWG Scholars Participating Schools, scholarship applicants must also meet one, or more, of the following requirements below as defined in HB 325:
- Eligible to enroll in a public Pre-K, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade
- Coming from a public school to a private school for the first time
- Coming from a home-school or charter school environment for the first time
- Previously received an SSO Scholarship
- Attended a minimum of 30 days of public school prior to enrolling at a qualified private school
DISCLAIMER: By Georgia law, the taxpayer and NWG Scholars will both receive a copy of the taxpayer’s Approval Letter from the GA-DOR. Please remember to keep a copy for your records.
NWG Scholars Program, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)3 exempt non-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia. NWG Scholars Program, Inc is certified by the Georgia Department of Education as a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) under Georgia law (HB 1133). Always consult with your independent attorney or tax adviser for recommendations and before changing or implementing any financial, tax, or estate planning strategy.
The federal tax ID number for Northwest Georgia Scholars Program, Inc. is 46-3207843. NWG SCHOLARS Program 501(c)3 Exemption Letter