In the News · The Wall Street Journal · Opinion

Hochul Opts In to Choice Scholarships

New York becomes the second blue state to sign on to the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, joining roughly 30 governors nationwide. New Jersey families are waiting on Governor Sherrill to do the same.

Read the editorial Sign the pledge

A New Jersey Scholarship Granting Organization

Keep Your Tax Dollars
in New Jersey.

Redirect up to $1,700 of your federal tax liability to NJ students—at zero net cost to you.

Be the first family to pledge. Totals — pledged, families, NJ counties — appear here as families sign on.
Sign the Pledge of Intent

Why This Matters

Three reasons every New Jersey taxpayer should care

Zero-Cost Philanthropy

Individuals can redirect $1,700 (couples $3,400) of their federal tax liability through a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. You pay the same taxes—a student gets tutoring.

The NJ Crisis

Without a New Jersey opt-in, these federal tax credits fund students in other states. Every year NJ delays, millions of education dollars flow to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and beyond.

Academic Recovery

Funds are directed to STEM and literacy tutoring for New Jersey students, addressing post-pandemic learning gaps and building the workforce of tomorrow.

01 — Learn

How It Works

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, explained simply

The Math Doesn't Lie

Tax Scenario Without SGO With SGO Redirect
Federal Tax Owed $5,000 $5,000
SGO Contribution $0 ($1,700)
Final Check to IRS $5,000 $3,300
Total Impact $0 for Students $1,700 for Students

Where Your Dollars Go

Your Federal Tax Liability

You owe up to $1,700 to the IRS anyway

Redirect to the SGO

Contribute to the Garden State Academic Excellence Fund

Student Receives Tutoring

90% of every dollar funds NJ student scholarships

Your Federal Tax Liability

You owe up to $1,700 to the IRS anyway

Redirect to the SGO

Contribute to the Garden State Academic Excellence Fund

Student Receives Tutoring

90% of every dollar funds NJ student scholarships

Bottom line: You pay the same taxes. A student gets tutoring. It costs you nothing.
02 — Pledge

Urge Governor Sherrill to Sign On

Join NJ families urging Governor Sherrill to join 30 other governors delivering this benefit — at zero cost to families.

Your Pledge

Free and non-binding. Each pledge tells Governor Sherrill that NJ families are ready the day SR 20 is signed.

Shown publicly on the pledge wall
$
Your Contact — for follow-up only

Email & phone are always private. Your name only appears publicly if you choose Full name or Initials above.

Will not appear publicly — used only for pledge follow-up.

Your contact information is used exclusively for advocacy and pledge follow-up. It will never be sold or shared.

Recent Pledges
03 — Advocate

Advocacy Portal

Arm yourself with the tools to bring this credit home to New Jersey

The Flight of Capital

Without NJ opting in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit, your federal tax dollars that could fund NJ students are instead flowing to neighboring states that already have SGO programs.

NJ
PA VA FL

— in potential education funding leaves NJ annually (figure pending citation)

SR 20 Progress Tracker

Track the progress of Senate Resolution 20 — New Jersey's bill to authorize the Education Freedom Tax Credit.

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Signed

Currently in Senate Education Committee review

Make Your Voice Heard

Send a pre-written email to Governor Sherrill urging NJ to authorize the Education Freedom Tax Credit.

Email Governor Sherrill
04 — Families

For Families

How your student can benefit from the Education Freedom Tax Credit

Qualified Expenses

Scholarship funds may be applied toward the following educational services from any qualified provider:

SAT & ACT Preparation
Academic Tutoring
Private & Charter Tuition
Special Education Services
Testing & Exam Fees
College Counseling
STEM Programs
Literacy Programs
Provider Neutrality: Scholarship funds may be used at any qualified educational provider. The Garden State Academic Excellence Fund does not restrict families to specific providers, ensuring freedom of choice and 501(c)(3) integrity.

Get Notified

Be the first to know when scholarship applications officially open. Join the waitlist today.

05 — Partners

Approved Education Partners

Qualified providers ready to serve NJ students with scholarship funds

Foley Prep

Premier tutoring and test preparation services for NJ students. Specializing in SAT/ACT prep, academic tutoring, STEM programs, and college counseling.

Approved Provider
Visit Website
Your Organization

Are you a qualified educational provider serving NJ students? Partner with us to expand access to scholarship-funded services.

Become a Partner
Your Organization

We're actively seeking qualified tutoring centers, schools, and educational service providers across all 21 NJ counties.

Become a Partner
06 — Governance

Governance & Transparency

An independent, professionally managed organization accountable to NJ families

ND
Nia Dove

Executive Director

Leading the fund's mission to redirect federal education tax credits to New Jersey students through strategic advocacy and community engagement.

HF
Heidi

PA Executive Director

Managing multi-state SGO operations with proven expertise in education funding compliance and scholarship distribution.

RF
Dr. Ron Foley

Board of Trustees • PhD, Professor

Bringing academic rigor and higher education leadership to the fund's governance, ensuring research-backed approaches to student achievement.

Where Every Dollar Goes

90% Scholarships
90% Student Scholarships
10% Operations

Our commitment: the vast majority of every dollar directly funds student educational services.

07 — Resources

Professional Toolkit

Resources for CPAs, wealth managers, and financial advisors

One-Pager for Clients

A concise, professional PDF explaining the $1,700 Education Freedom Tax Credit. Perfect for sharing with clients during tax planning conversations.

Garden State Academic Excellence Fund

Education Freedom Tax Credit — Client Overview

What is the EFTC?

The Education Freedom Tax Credit allows taxpayers to redirect up to $1,700 ($3,400 for couples) of federal tax liability to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations.

Without SGOWith SGO
Tax Owed$5,000$5,000
SGO Contribution$0($1,700)
Final to IRS$5,000$3,300
Student Impact$0$1,700

Key Facts

Dollar-for-dollar federal credit • 90% to scholarships • Tutoring, test prep, tuition eligible

Download PDF

Request a Presentation

Schedule a Zoom presentation with our team for you and your clients. We'll walk through the EFTC, the math, and the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the EFTC and your pledge

No. The Education Freedom Tax Credit uses your federal tax liability—money that would otherwise go directly to the IRS. It does not reduce state funding for public schools. This is a redirect of federal dollars, not state education budgets.

We have a backup plan. The Garden State Academic Excellence Fund is structured to list in Pennsylvania if NJ does not authorize SGOs, so you can still receive your federal tax credit. However, our primary mission is to fight to keep these dollars in New Jersey—which is why your pledge and advocacy matter.

It's even better than a deduction. The EFTC provides a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. That means every dollar you contribute reduces your federal tax bill by the same amount, up to $1,700 for individuals or $3,400 for married couples filing jointly. A credit is more powerful than a deduction because it directly reduces your tax owed, not just your taxable income.

The Garden State Academic Excellence Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) Scholarship Granting Organization governed by a Board of Trustees. The fund operates with full transparency: 90% of contributions go directly to student scholarships, with only 10% allocated to administrative operations.

Scholarship applications will open once NJ authorizes the EFTC (or through our PA listing). In the meantime, families can join our waitlist to be among the first notified when applications go live. Priority consideration may be given to early registrants.

No. A pledge of intent is not a financial commitment. It is a statement of support that helps us demonstrate to legislators and the Governor that New Jersey families are ready and eager to participate in the EFTC program. You will have the opportunity to make an actual contribution once the program is authorized.

An SGO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that receives contributions and awards scholarships to eligible students for approved educational expenses. Under the EFTC, contributors to certified SGOs receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. SGOs must meet strict federal requirements for transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination.

Still have questions?

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