Redirect Your Georgia Taxes to Support Oak Hill Families
What if the Georgia income taxes you already owe could help a child receive a Christ-centered, classical education—at no additional cost to you?
The Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program allows individuals and businesses to redirect a portion of their state income taxes to support need-based tuition assistance at Oak Hill Classical School, while receiving a dollar-for-dollar Georgia income tax credit.
This is one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—ways to partner with Oak Hill’s mission.
An Important Clarification
Participation in the Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program is separate and distinct from annual fund giving.
This program:
- Is not a charitable donation in the traditional sense
- Does not replace or compete with annual fund support
- Allows you to redirect state tax dollars you already owe
Annual fund gifts are voluntary contributions that support Oak Hill’s day-to-day mission and future growth.
Tax credit participation redirects government tax dollars to tuition assistance.
Both matter.
They simply serve different purposes.
Earn Your Georgia Tax Credit Now
Why This Matters at Oak Hill
Oak Hill Classical School exists to cultivate wisdom, joyful learning, and love for God and others. Through a classical Christian education shaped by the Trivium—Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric—we form students for lives of faith, leadership, and service.
For many families who share this vision, tuition is a barrier.
Georgia’s tax-credit scholarship program allows Oak Hill to welcome families who desire this education but could not otherwise afford it—strengthening the mission while stewarding resources wisely.
Your participation helps:
- Open doors for families seeking Christ-centered, classical education
- Sustain excellent teachers and strong classrooms
- Strengthen Oak Hill as a school built for generations
- Advance long-term vision, including preparation for our new campus
Who Is This For?
For Parents & Families
If you are an Oak Hill parent—or hope to be—this program allows you to:
- Support tuition assistance for families who share Oak Hill’s mission
- Participate in a cost-neutral way by redirecting your Georgia tax dollars
- Strengthen the school community your child is part of
Many Oak Hill families participate in the tax credit program in addition to annual fund giving, because the purposes are different and complementary.
For Business Owners
If you own a business and pay Georgia income tax, this program offers a uniquely powerful stewardship opportunity:
- Redirect state tax liability to support Oak Hill families
- Receive a dollar-for-dollar Georgia tax credit
- Strengthen classical Christian education in your local community
Many small business owners are surprised to learn they qualify—and that this participation is separate from charitable giving.
What Is the Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program?
Established by the Georgia Legislature in 2008, the program allows Georgia taxpayers to redirect state income tax dollars to fund need-based K–12 scholarships.
Instead of sending those dollars to the State of Georgia, approved taxpayers may direct them to a qualified student scholarship organization, which then awards scholarships to eligible students.
A key distinction:
- A tax credit reduces your Georgia tax bill dollar-for-dollar
- A charitable deduction only reduces taxable income
This is why the program is often described as redirecting taxes, not donating new dollars.
Oak Hill’s Partnership with Arete Scholars
Oak Hill partners with Arete Scholars, a Georgia-based nonprofit student scholarship organization with whom we share our co-founders, to administer tax-credit contributions in compliance with state law.
Through this partnership:
- Donors apply and contribute through Arete Scholars
- Contributions may be designated exclusively for Oak Hill
- Oak Hill determines scholarship recipients and award amounts based on financial need
Arete retains a small portion of each contribution (typically around 7%) to cover required administrative and compliance costs.
How This Differs from Annual Fund Giving
| Annual Fund Giving | Georgia Tax Credit Program |
|---|---|
| Voluntary charitable gift | State tax redirection |
| Supports operations, teachers, and programs | Supports need-based tuition assistance |
| Given from personal or business resources | Redirects taxes already owed |
| No tax credit | 100% Georgia income tax credit |
Both are essential.
They simply serve different roles in Oak Hill’s financial ecosystem.
How the Process Works
Because the program has a statewide cap, participation requires pre-approval.
- Apply for the Georgia tax credit (typically before year-end)
- Arete submits applications to the State in early January
- The State approves requests (often within two weeks)
- You fund your contribution within the required window
- You receive documentation to claim the credit
Oak Hill is happy to help guide you.
Begin the Conversation
Whether you are a parent, business owner, grandparent, or friend of Oak Hill, this program offers a remarkable opportunity to steward your resources with clarity and purpose.
Redirect your Georgia taxes.
Strengthen Oak Hill’s mission.
Help form students for lives of wisdom and faith.
For questions or next steps, please contact us at 770-338-7945.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I participate in this and give to the annual fund?
Yes—and many families and business owners do. The two are separate and complementary, not interchangeable.
Can I designate my contribution specifically for Oak Hill?
Yes. Contributions through Arete Scholars may be designated exclusively for Oak Hill and are used only for Oak Hill tuition assistance.
Is this really cost-neutral?
When structured properly, yes. You receive a dollar-for-dollar Georgia income tax credit, allowing you to redirect taxes you already owe.
Who should I talk to if I’m unsure?
Oak Hill can explain the program, and your CPA or tax advisor can help determine the best approach for your situation.