Iowa Students First is the state's Education Savings Account (ESA) program providing approximately $7,988 annually per student for private school tuition and approved educational expenses. It is available to all Iowa K-12 students attending accredited private schools.
What Is Iowa Students First?
Iowa Students First is Iowa's Education Savings Account (ESA) program, created through the Students First Act signed into law in January 2023. The program deposits public education funds into a family's dedicated spending account when they choose an accredited private school instead of public school. For the 2025-26 school year, each student receives approximately $7,988, an amount equal to what public schools receive per pupil. This makes Iowa's program one of the most expansive ESA programs in the nation now that it has reached universal eligibility.
Key Takeaways
- Provides $7,988 per student annually for 2025-26 school year
- Universal eligibility for all Iowa K-12 students as of 2025-26
- Students must attend an accredited private school full-time
- Homeschool expenses are NOT covered by this program
Important Limitation for Homeschoolers
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Iowa resident
Student must be a resident of Iowa
- K-12 student
Must be school age (kindergarten through 12th grade)
- U.S. citizen or qualifying status
Must be citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee
- Full-time private school enrollment
Must be enrolled full-time in an Iowa accredited nonpublic school
- Not enrolled in public school
Cannot be simultaneously enrolled in a public school
Approved Expenses
ESA funds can cover private school tuition and fees (which must be paid first before other expenses), textbooks, tutoring services, cognitive skills training, AP exams and college admission tests, tuition for non-public online learning programs, educational services and therapies, and vocational education. The key requirement is that private school tuition must be paid first before funds can be used for other approved services.
How to Apply
The Bottom Line
Iowa Students First represents significant financial support for families choosing private education, with nearly $8,000 per student annually. However, it's crucial to understand this program is designed exclusively for private school choice, not homeschooling. If you're an Iowa homeschool family, this program won't help with curriculum or educational materials. Families considering the switch from homeschool to private school should explore whether the ESA funding would offset tuition costs at their preferred accredited institution.
