A $40 Million Opportunity for Delaware Students – But Only If Governor Meyer Acts
Updated: Sep 10
Tell Us What You Think
Should Delaware opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program so Delaware students and families can benefit from millions of dollars in privately funded educational support?
A new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program could direct nearly $40 million annually in private educational funding to Delaware students if just 15% of eligible taxpayers participate, according to an analysis by Education Reform Now (ERN). The scholarships could help parents pay for their children's tutoring, tuition, transportation, summer programs, and other educational services.
But there is a catch.
Under federal law, Delaware students can benefit from the program only if Delaware chooses to participate. The IRS has made clear that states must elect to participate and identify eligible Scholarship Granting Organizations before taxpayers can receive the credit for contributions made within that state.
Governor Matt Meyer, therefore, has the opportunity to make Delaware students eligible for these scholarships. To ensure Delaware students can benefit when the program begins in 2027, he will need to opt Delaware into the program.
If he does, Delaware students could begin receiving scholarship support later in 2027, as Scholarship Granting Organizations are established and funded.
If he does not, Delaware students would be ineligible to receive these scholarships. Delaware taxpayers, however, could still claim the federal tax credit, but the funds they redirect would have to go to scholarship organizations in other participating states.
At a time when many families struggle to afford the extra support their children need, Governor Meyer should seize this new educational opportunity.
Do you agree? Add your voice by signing CRI’s petition urging Governor Meyer to make this new educational opportunity available to Delaware students.
Families Need Additional Educational Support
Delaware spent more than $2.7 billion on public education during the 2023-24 school year, yet many students continue to struggle academically. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Delaware student achievement remains below pre-pandemic levels, and significant achievement gaps persist between higher and lower performing students.
When a child falls behind in school, parents often seek additional help. They incur out-of-pocket costs for tutoring and summer learning programs. Students with learning challenges may need more specialized services than are covered under current laws. Many families also pay out of pocket for tuition, transportation, enrichment activities, and athletics.
For many households, those costs are simply unaffordable.
Taxpayers Can Redirect Federal Tax Dollars to Delaware Student Scholarships
The FSTC program is straightforward. If Governor Meyer opts Delaware into the program, Delaware taxpayers would be able to voluntarily redirect up to $1,700 of their federal tax liability annually to an approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit.
Any eligible taxpayer may participate, whether or not they have children. Rather than sending up to $1,700 to the IRS general fund, taxpayers would be able to direct those dollars toward educational opportunities for Delaware students.
The SGO would then award scholarships to eligible families.
Approved SGOs determine eligibility and award scholarships under federal rules and oversight. The program is designed to be accessible to a broad cross-section of middle-class families, enabling many Delaware families to qualify.
Relief to State Budget Pressures
The program's greatest strength is its flexibility. Rather than funding institutions, it helps students. Families may use the scholarship funds for eligible educational services that best meet their children's needs.
The benefits could be especially meaningful for lower-income and working-class families. They often have the greatest need for supplemental educational support but the least resources to pay for it.
The program could also help vulnerable students. Foster children, homeless students, and others facing significant challenges could receive services tailored to their individual needs.
Importantly, the scholarships would:
Not replace but supplement existing education funding
Not require any state appropriations
Not reduce local school funding
Not place additional tax burdens on Delawareans
Instead, taxpayer contributions made through the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program would create a new stream of educational funding that can help students succeed.
Governor Meyer's Decision
Governor Meyer has publicly acknowledged Delaware's literacy challenges and the urgency of improving student outcomes. Opting into this program would be a practical step toward addressing those challenges. It would bring millions of dollars in additional educational support to Delaware students without increasing state spending or reducing public-school funding.
As of July 24, 2026, 31 states had made an advance election to participate in the program for 2027. Delaware now has the opportunity to join them and ensure its students and families can benefit from this new source of educational support.
The question before Delaware is straightforward: Should Delaware students and families have access to millions of dollars in additional educational support, or should that opportunity be missed and instead go to students in states that choose to participate?
State Rep. Mike Smith Urges Delaware to Opt In
The call for Delaware to participate in this new educational opportunity is also gaining support among state policymakers.
On August 17, State Representative Mike Smith of the 22nd District sent a letter to Governor Matt Meyer formally urging his administration to opt Delaware into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program.
Rep. Smith emphasized that participation would allow Delaware taxpayers to support scholarships for students in their own state while bringing additional educational resources to families and communities.
“Delaware families deserve access to the same educational opportunities available to families in other participating states,” Smith wrote.
Rep. Smith called on the Governor's administration to take the necessary steps to have Delaware participate in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and to identify qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations for the 2027 tax year.
With Delaware lawmakers now publicly urging action, the opportunity—and the decision—remains with Governor Meyer.
Make Your Voice Heard
Delaware has an opportunity to bring millions of dollars in privately funded educational support to students without increasing state spending or reducing funding for public schools.
Now Delawareans have a chance to speak up.
The Caesar Rodney Institute is asking residents to sign a petition urging Governor Matt Meyer to opt Delaware into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program and give Delaware students the opportunity to benefit from this new privately funded scholarship program.
Add your name today and help ensure Delaware students aren't left behind.
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