Parents with students with special needs now can apply for the Georgia Special Needs scholarship. The scholarship allows parents to transfer their student to another public school in the district they live, another public school outside of the district they live or to one of three state schools for the blind or deaf.

The deadline to apply is June 15. Parents will be notified by June 30 of eligibility.

To qualify, students must currently live in Georgia and have been a resident for at least one year; have spent the 2008-2009 in a Georgia public school in kindergarten through 12 grade and attended the school on both the October 2008 and March FTE counts; and was received instruction under an individualized education plant at any point during the school year. Toddler and Pre-K students are not eligible.

Once the scholarships are received, parents have until Friday, Sept. 11 to enroll their student in an authorized school. Scholarships can not be used to send students to home schools operating under O.G.C.A. 20-2-690, residential treatment facilities, or Department of Juvenile Justice schools.

Applications are available online at the www.rockdale.K12.ga.us.