BREAKING: Federal Guidelines Released, Married Couples Can Claim Up to $3,400 in Scholarship Tax Credits
Teach Coalition, leading the fight, says it’s time for governors to opt in and bring new tuition relief to Jewish day school and yeshiva families.
NEW YORK, October 1, 2026 – It’s official. The U.S. Treasury Department today released the long-awaited federal guidelines for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, clearing the way for what could be the most significant source of tuition relief the Jewish day school and yeshiva community has ever seen. In a major development, the guidelines confirm that married couples filing jointly can receive a combined federal tax credit of up to $3,400 for contributions to eligible Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), double the $1,700 individual amount.
The higher limit allows married couples to contribute more with the benefit of the tax credit, giving SGOs greater fundraising potential and putting more scholarship dollars within reach of Jewish day school and yeshiva families.
For the Jewish community and the advocates who have fought for this program for more than a year, this is the news they’ve been hoping for. Many governors, including some who support the program, said they would wait for federal guidance before making a final decision. Now it’s here. The program launches in January, and families can only benefit if their governor opts in.
Teach Coalition has led the fight from the start, nationally and in its affiliate states. In New York, Teach leads Scholarships for All NY, an alliance of more than 60 organizations spanning all 62 counties, including public school parents, faith communities and civic groups. The alliance estimates participation could bring as much as $1.5 billion a year to New York students.
The release follows Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement earlier this year that she intends to opt New York in, a major step for the state with the nation’s largest Jewish day school and yeshiva population. Now all eyes turn to governors across the country who have not yet joined.
Why it matters: Jewish families are already stretching to afford day school and yeshiva tuition, while schools are absorbing rising security costs. At the same time, more families are turning to Jewish schools as places where their children can learn safely, build a strong Jewish identity and feel connected to their community.
Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition, said:
“Governors across the country have been telling us they were waiting for the federal guidelines. Well, here they are, and there is no reason left to wait. The rules make clear, in firm writing, that public school students can benefit too, with strong standards and real oversight. This doesn’t have to be a partisan issue. For Jewish families, it matters enormously. The confirmation of up to $3,400 for married couples filing jointly makes this opportunity even bigger for families. Parents are stretching to give their children a Jewish education, and schools are carrying costs that keep rising. This program can put meaningful new resources behind them at a moment when Jewish education has never been more important.”
Teach Coalition will continue working with the Hochul administration as it reviews the guidelines, while pushing governors nationwide to move forward.
Media availability: Sydney Altfield is available for interviews on the new guidelines and the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit.