You may have heard about the recent expansion of ESA eligibility in Arizona, but are uncertain about how that change could affect you and your student.
This change provides public funding to expand educational opportunities for all students outside of the public school system. These funds can be used for a wide variety of educational expenses. In addition to the Department of Education’s H.B. 2853 Frequently Asked Questions, we’ve collected some information below to help you make the best decision for your circumstance.
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An Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is an account administered by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and funded by state tax dollars to provide education options for qualified Arizona students.
An ESA consists of 90% of the state funding that would have otherwise been allocated to the school district or charter school for the qualified student (does not include federal or local funding). By accepting an ESA, the student (age 18 and over) or the student's parent/guardian is signing a contract agreeing to provide an education that includes at least the following subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. ESA funding can be used to pay private school tuition, for curriculum, home education, tutoring, and more.
This is an annual program that students over age 18 or parents/guardians can apply for on behalf of their school-aged students.
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All Arizona students are eligible for the ESA from the age of 4 until they are 22 years old.
There are no income requirements.
There are no restrictions on the type of private school the student attends.
You will need to provide: student’s birth certificate and proof of residency. Visit the ADE’s Eligibility Requirements & Application page for more information.
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Maybe! It’s important to know that ESA funds and STO funds (student tuition organization) cannot be used concurrently. However, you may use both types of funding in the same year, just not at the same time (i.e. use STO funds during Q1 but decided to switch to ESA funds later in the school year).
Depending on your situation, you may be able to secure more funding through STO’s than an ESA for your child’s education.
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Smart Schools Tuition for ESA Students: $500/month billed quarterly at $1,500*
*The State of Arizona should cover this cost in full when your Empowerment Scholarship Account is approved.
You can learn more about ESA Funding on the ADE’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Applications can take up to 30 days to process (from the date a completed application is submitted) and the final determination is sent via email.
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ADE uses the ClassWallet system, which offers four different ways to make purchases or payments on its platform.
Marketplace: Place orders with online vendors within ClassWallet
Pay Vendor: Pay schools directly, using this option
Debit Cards: Funds can be uploaded to a debit card; you must complete the invoice and receipt
Reimbursement: Your bank account can be reimbursed for purchases but must be linked to ClassWallet
It is up to students or parents to allocate the funds and to track and report quarterly on all of their purchases.
Getting Started with Smart Schools & ESA
Complete the form below and a Smart Schools Enrollment Counselor will reach out to answer your questions and help you get started.
Helpful resources as you get started
How to submit a vendor invoice:
ESA Applicant Portal — Login if you have an account or apply if you do not
ESA Customer Service — Support line and HelpDesk
Ready to apply for an ESA?
We recommend downloading this document to help guide you through the setup process. Then, click the button below to begin an ESA application with the Arizona Department of Education.
The information on this page is sourced from https://www.azed.gov/esa