ECCA in District of Columbia
District of Columbia has not yet announced a decision on the federal scholarship tax credit program. Also known as the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), the program was enacted as IRC §25F and takes effect January 1, 2027.
- Governor
- Muriel Bowser
- Democrat
- Status
- No decision yet
- Program begins
- January 1, 2027
- Federal tax credit live
What's at stake for District of Columbia
Governor Muriel Bowser has not yet announced a decision on whether District of Columbia will opt in to the federal Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). The program goes live on January 1, 2027, and governors must submit a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) to the U.S. Treasury by January 1 of each participating year.
If District of Columbia opts in, families across the state will be eligible for scholarships funded through the program, and federal tax dollars contributed by District of Columbia donors will stay in District of Columbia communities. If District of Columbia does not opt in, donors here can still claim the federal tax credit by giving to SGOs in other states — but those scholarships will go to students elsewhere.
District of Columbia residents, parents, educators, and taxpayers can let Governor Muriel Bowser know they want District of Columbia to participate. The decision is annual: even if a governor declines initially, future years remain open.
Frequently asked questions about ECCA in District of Columbia
Does District of Columbia participate in ECCA?
Not yet decided. Governor Muriel Bowser has not announced a decision. Governors can opt in by submitting a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) to the U.S. Treasury by January 1 of each year.
Who is the governor of District of Columbia and what is their position on ECCA?
Governor Muriel Bowser (Democrat) has not yet announced a decision. Mayor (DC has no governor).
Can District of Columbia residents donate to an SGO and claim the federal tax credit?
Beginning January 1, 2027, any U.S. taxpayer can claim a federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 per tax return for donations to a qualifying Scholarship Granting Organization, regardless of the state they live in. Because District of Columbia has not yet opted in, donations from District of Columbia residents would need to go to SGOs in opted-in states — funding scholarships for students in those states rather than in District of Columbia.
When does the ECCA program begin?
The Educational Choice for Children Act program begins on January 1, 2027. Donations made on or after that date are eligible for the federal tax credit. Each participating state's governor must submit a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations to the U.S. Treasury by January 1 of each participating year.
Other states with the same status
States that have also no decision yet.
Learn more about ECCA
In-depth guides on how the program works, who qualifies, and how to participate.
- What is ECCA / FSTC?A complete guide to the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), also known as the Federal Scholarship Tax …
- The federal tax credit, explainedHow the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), also known as the ECCA §25F credit, works for donors: $1,700 pe…
- Scholarship eligibilityWhich K–12 students qualify for ECCA scholarships, the income limits, what schools and educational expenses ar…
- Scholarship Granting OrganizationsWhat an SGO is, how organizations get designated by their state, the 90/10 rule, what compliance looks like, a…
- How states opt inHow a state opts in to the federal ECCA scholarship program: the governor's annual Treasury submission, legisl…
- ECCA for special-needs familiesHow families of K–12 students with disabilities can use ECCA scholarships to fund therapies, specialized instr…
Make your voice heard in District of Columbia
Contact Governor Muriel Bowser and let them know that District of Columbia families want access to ECCA scholarships when the program begins January 2027.
Contact Governor Bowser →