New Hampshire Moves to Expand Education Freedom Accounts

The New Hampshire Legislature recently took a significant step toward expanding educational freedom with both chambers passing a version of a bill that would expand the state’s popular school choice program.

House Bill 115, which passed the House on March 13, increases the student eligibility cap for Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) by 50% in the first year and ensures universal eligibility starting in the 2026 school year. The Senate passed a similar bill, SB 295, on the same day. This is a critical step toward allowing more families to access the educational opportunities that best suit their children’s needs.

Every family, regardless of income or background, should have the ability to determine the best educational path for their children. Universal eligibility will ensure that all students have access to the funding necessary to explore alternative educational options without unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions.

Education Freedom Accounts empower parents to direct state-funded per-pupil education adequacy grants toward schools, tutors, homeschooling programs, and other educational services that best serve their children. The expansion passed by the House reinforces the growing demand for school choice and ensures that more students can escape one-size-fits-all systems that fail to serve them adequately. As of the 2024-2025 school year, more than 5,300 students participate in the EFA program, with grants averaging approximately $5,204 per student.

Critics of HB 115 and SB 295 argue that expanding EFAs will divert funds from public schools and increase state expenditures. Some estimates suggest that universal expansion could cost the state a significant sum; however there is evidence that shows the EFA program saves taxpayer money over time. Regardless of the cost or savings, research consistently shows that school choice programs improve overall educational outcomes by fostering competition and innovation. Public schools benefit from increased accountability when families have the freedom to choose. Furthermore, EFAs do not take away funding from students who remain in public schools, but rather reallocate funds in a way that better serves individual educational needs.

As these bills move to the other legislative bodies, American Action Fund urges lawmakers to move quickly to expand education freedom in New Hampshire. Legislators must resist pressure from special interest groups seeking to limit school choice and instead prioritize policies that empower families. The future of our students and the preservation of parental rights in education depend on policies that prioritize choice over bureaucratic control.