An Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is Arizona's education savings account program that deposits state education funds—approximately $7,000 per student annually—into parent-controlled accounts for approved educational expenses like curriculum, tutoring, and private school tuition.
What is an Empowerment Scholarship Account?
The Empowerment Scholarship Account is Arizona's flagship school choice program that redirects public education dollars directly to families. Instead of funding flowing to a neighborhood public school, parents receive approximately 90% of what the state would have spent on their child—deposited quarterly into a dedicated spending account through ClassWallet. Launched in 2011 for students with disabilities, the program expanded to universal eligibility in 2022. Now any Arizona K-12 student can participate, making it one of the most expansive ESA programs in the country.
Key Takeaways
- Standard awards of approximately $7,347 per student annually (kindergarten receives half)
- Students with IEPs or 504 plans receive significantly higher amounts based on disability category
- Funds cover curriculum, tutoring, therapy, private school tuition, and even future college costs
- Universal eligibility for all Arizona K-12 students since 2022
- Cannot be combined with public school enrollment or tax credit scholarships
Who Qualifies for ESA
Since the 2022 expansion, Arizona's ESA program is truly universal. Any Arizona resident with a K-12 child who's eligible for public school can apply. Preschoolers with an IEP, MET report, or 504 plan also qualify. The main restriction is that students cannot be enrolled in a traditional public or charter school while receiving ESA funds—it's an either-or choice. There are no income caps or prior public school attendance requirements, which has made this program controversial but also highly accessible.
Approved Expenses
Approved Expenses
- Private school tuition and fees
- Curriculum and textbooks
- Online learning programs
- Tutoring services
- Educational therapy (speech, occupational, etc.)
- Standardized testing fees
- Computer hardware for educational use
- College tuition (community colleges and universities)
What ESA Funds Cannot Cover
Not everything educational qualifies for ESA spending. Athletic equipment, sports fees, and extracurricular activities generally fall outside the guidelines. Family vacations—even to educational destinations—don't qualify. Standard household computers need to be bundled with curriculum to be approved. Transportation costs, food, and childcare are also excluded. The ClassWallet approved vendor list is your best resource for checking eligibility before making purchases.
How to Apply
The Bottom Line
Arizona's ESA program offers substantial financial support that can fundamentally change how families approach education. The flexibility to piece together curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and even save for college makes it uniquely powerful for homeschoolers. The quarterly reporting requirement adds administrative work, but most families find the trade-off worthwhile. If you're an Arizona resident considering homeschooling or private school, the ESA program deserves early attention in your planning process—it can cover a significant portion of educational costs.
