Bishop John Iffert announces that American GOAL Scholarship Program has been selected as the Diocese of Covington’s Scholarship Granting Organization partner for the new federal scholarship tax credit program.
“With every state surrounding Kentucky offering scholarship tax credits in some form, for years, Kentucky families could do little but watch as neighboring parents enjoyed the advantage of choosing the school that best met their child’s needs. We are grateful for this new opportunity to support Kentucky families seeking educational choice,” said Bishop John Iffert. “Partnering with American Goal will allow the Diocese of Covington to focus our local efforts on encouraging participation in the tax credit and generating the greatest possible benefit for students and families, while drawing on their extensive experience administering scholarship tax-credit programs.”
The federal scholarship tax credit program, which will launch January 1, 2027, provides individuals with a unique opportunity to support K-12 students while receiving a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 (or $3,400 for a married couple) for qualifying contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. Through this program, donor contributions can help expand access to Catholic schools — funding scholarships for eligible students and families — directing dollars that would otherwise be paid in federal income taxes.
“We are honored that the Diocese of Covington has chosen American GOAL as its Scholarship Granting Organization partner,” said Ben Saylor, president and CEO of GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc. “The Diocese has a strong commitment to providing students with a Christ-centered, academically excellent education, and we are excited to support that mission by helping more families access the educational opportunities that best meet their children’s needs through this historic new federal scholarship tax credit.”
American GOAL will work alongside the Diocese and its Catholic schools to help implement the new program, providing fundraising support, donor stewardship, technology, compliance, and scholarship administration designed to maximize access to a Catholic education for families across Northern Kentucky.
“Catholic education has a long and meaningful tradition in the Diocese of Covington, and we are committed to making it accessible for more families,” said Kendra McGuire, superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Covington. “Through our partnership with American GOAL and the opportunities made possible by scholarship tax credits, we look forward to a future in which Kentucky parents are not limited by financial circumstances when choosing the best fit for the education of their children.”
American GOAL is modeled after the nationally recognized GOAL Scholarship Program in Georgia, which has successfully administered scholarship tax credit programs for more than 18 years. During that time, GOAL has received more than $558 million in tax-credit contributions and awarded more than 94,000 scholarships, helping thousands of families choose the K-12 educational environment that best meets their children’s needs.
As states prepare to implement the federal scholarship tax credit beginning January 1, 2027, American GOAL is partnering with Catholic dioceses, independent schools, and school associations to provide a proven, turnkey solution for administering the program while allowing schools to remain at the center of its fundraising and financial aid efforts.
Families, donors, and schools interested in learning more about the federal scholarship tax credit and American GOAL may visit www.americangoal.org.
About American GOAL
American GOAL is a program of GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc., a national Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) with more than 18 years of experience implementing scholarship tax credit programs in an effective, efficient, and ethical manner. American GOAL partners with schools and education organizations across the country to expand educational opportunity through the new federal scholarship tax credit.
About the Diocese of Covington Catholic Schools
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington serves Northern Kentucky through 38 Catholic schools, from preschool through high school. Its schools are Christ-centered communities dedicated to the faith formation, academic excellence, and individual growth of students, all rooted in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Diocese of Covington Catholic Schools seek to provide quality Catholic education that supports students and families throughout Northern Kentucky.