Education Savings Account (ESA)
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An Education Savings Account (ESA) is a deposit of public funds into government-authorized savings accounts that eligible families may use to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at accredited private schools in Iowa. For the 2026-27 school year, the amount will be $7,988, plus any increase determined by the Iowa Legislature. Half of the funds will be available to pay tuition and approved expenses that occur during the fall 2026 semester and the remaining half will be available for the spring 2027 semester.
Application Opening Date: TBD
Application Closing Date: June 30, 2026
Click to Apply for ESA -
Eligibility
- All TK-12 students in Iowa, regardless of income.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: In 26-27, my child is attending Transitional Kindergarten. Are they eligible for ESA funding?
A: Yes! Transitional Kindergarten students should fill out an ESA application.
Q: What vendor implements the ESA application?
A: Odyssey.
Q: I have two students attending an Iowa-accredited nonpublic school in the 2026-2027 school year. Do I have to create an application for each student?
A: No. Only one application per family is needed. Parents/guardians can add multiple students from their household onto their application.
Q: How will this work if my child lives in a split household?
A: The first parent or guardian to apply who meets the eligibility requirements will be the parent or guardian under which the ESA is established. For an application to be contested, court documents supporting the contesting person’s position are required for consideration. Note: The percent of custody or parenting time does not determine the parent or guardian that has the authority for educational decisions.
Q: Once I apply for an ESA, will I need to re-apply every year?
A: Once an ESA account is established for a student, funds will be deposited into the account each year as long as they are enrolled in an accredited private school and until the student graduates from high school or turns 20 years of age. An application must be filled out annually.