What Is the Arizona ESA Program?
Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is a state-funded initiative that redirects 
education funding away from public schools to parents or guardians, who may then use the funds for approved educational services. It was launched in 2011 and expanded in 2022 to become a universal program, making all Arizona K‑12 students eligible Axios+15EdChoice+15Arizona Empowerment+15.
ESA provides approximately 90% of the state’s per-pupil funding to families, typically amounting to $7,000–$8,000 annually, with higher amounts for students with special needs EdChoice+1Brookings+1. In the third quarter of 2022, ESA disbursements averaged $11,332, and some students received more than $30,000 in special-need cases Axios.
As of July 28, 2025, more than 87,000 students were enrolled in ESA for the 2025–26 school year .
Eligibility At a Glance
All Arizona residents who would qualify for K–12 public school are eligible—including:
- All grade levels K–12 (also preschool students with disabilities under MET, IEP, or 504 plans)
- No income limits, no household income test
- Special populations: children in underperforming schools, tribal residents, military-connected students, and siblings of ESA recipients
Exceptions: ESA can’t be combined with state tuition‑tax‑credit scholarships (STOs) .
What Can ESA Funds Be Used For?
Funds can be applied toward a variety of approved educational services and products, including:
- Private school tuition and enrollment fees
- Tutoring, curricula, and supplementary educational materials
- Online learning programs, testing fees, post‑secondary tuition and textbooks
- Homeschool resources, uniforms, transportation services, computer hardware/devices
ESA is not a blank check—purchases must be education‑related, reasonable in cost, and allowable under program guidelines .
Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply
1. Gather Required Documents
You will need to upload:
- Your student’s birth certificate (showing parent/guardian)
- Proof of Arizona residency (utility bill, lease, or verification letter within past 60 days)
- IEP/MET report or 504 Plan, if applying under a disability category
2. Submit Application Online
Apply via the Arizona Department of Education’s ESA Applicant Portal. The application window is open year‑round, and applications typically take up to 30 days to process.
3. Receive and Sign Your ESA Contract
If approved, ADE sends a contract via email; you must sign and return it to finalize participation.
4. Account Set‑Up and Funding
Once signed, your child’s ESA funds are deposited into a virtual account managed by ClassWallet, a third‑party financial platform. Funds are disbursed quarterly, based on when the contract is signed:
- Q1: July–September
- Q2: October–December
- Q3: January–March
- Q4: April–June
Using Your ESA Funds
- Log into the ClassWallet Marketplace or portal linked from the ESA portal
- Choose from approved vendors, providers, schools
- Pay directly via virtual account, prepaid debit card, or request reimbursement for eligible out-of-pocket purchases
- Keep receipts and report quarterly spending as required
ClassWallet also provides tutorials, vendor information, and customer support (phone/e‑mail/live chat) .
Things to Keep in Mind
- IDEA protections end if you accept ESA and withdraw from public school—your child loses federally guaranteed special‑education rights. These can be restored if you reenroll them in public school later.
- Fraud safeguards exist; misuse may result in account suspension or repayment obligations.
- Critics have raised concerns about ESA benefiting wealthier families disproportionately and siphoning funds from public schools; the ESA expansion has also impacted tax‑credit scholarship contribution levels.
Quick Reference Table
| Step | What to Do |
| Eligibility | Any K–12 Arizona resident (plus pre‑K disabilities) |
| Required documents | Birth certificate, proof of residence, IEP/MET/504 |
| Apply | Year‑round via ADE ESA Portal |
| Processing | Typically ≤30 days |
| Sign Contract | Required to finalize account |
| Fund Disbursement | Quarterly by ClassWallet |
| Allowed Uses | Tuition, curriculum, tutoring, tech, testing, etc. |
| Spending Management | Via ClassWallet: direct pay, card, or reimburse |
Final Thoughts
Arizona’s ESA program offers families more control over educational choices by redirecting public funding into a flexible account. While it’s generous and wide-ranging in approved use cases, families must navigate eligibility carefully, understand when protections may change (e.g. for special education), and adhere to spending rules.
For more detailed guidance, refer to the ESA Parent Handbook and ESA support resources provided by ADE and ClassWallet—or reach out directly to the ESA HelpDesk at 602‑364‑1969, open Monday through Friday and extended hours on certain days .
