An Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is a program in Arizona that gives families access to public education funds. Instead of going to a school, the money goes to parents to use for their child's education.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024).
What is an empowerment scholarship account?
The Empowerment Scholarship Account, or ESA, is Arizona's main school choice program. It allows public education funds to go directly to families. Instead of the money going to a public school, parents get about 90% of what the state would spend on their child. This amount is deposited quarterly into a special account through ClassWallet. Originally for students with disabilities, the program opened up to all K-12 students in 2022. Now, any Arizona kid can take part, making it one of the largest ESA programs in the U.S.
Who qualifies for ESA?
Thanks to the 2022 changes, Arizona's ESA program is now open to everyone. If you're a resident with a K-12 child eligible for public school, you can apply. Even preschoolers with an IEP, MET report, or 504 plan qualify. Just remember, your child can't attend a traditional public or charter school while using ESA funds. It's one or the other. There's no income limit or requirement for past public school attendance, which has stirred some debate but also makes it easy to access.
What ESA funds cannot cover
Not everything counts as an educational expense under the ESA. For example, things like athletic gear, sports fees, and extracurricular activities usually don’t qualify. Family trips—even to educational spots—aren't covered. Standard computers must be paired with a curriculum to get approved. Plus, costs for transport, food, and childcare are also off-limits. For checking what’s eligible before you buy, the ClassWallet approved vendor list is your best friend.
The bottom line
Arizona's ESA program can really change how families approach education. It gives you the chance to mix and match curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and even save for college. Sure, there are quarterly reports to fill out, but many families find it's worth it. If you're in Arizona and thinking about homeschooling or private schooling, don't overlook the ESA. It can cover a big part of your education costs.
