Students First Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) may be used by eligible families to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses as specified in the legislation.
How it Works
Parents who choose to enroll their eligible children in an accredited private school will receive an amount equal to the per pupil funding allocated to public school districts for the same budget school year. Funds will be deposited into an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses as specified in the legislation. The ESA amount for the 2025-26 school year will be $7,983.
School Year 2025-26
- All K-12 students in Iowa regardless of income
How to Apply
The application process for the 2025-26 school year is open now through June 30th, 2025. Access the application portal HERE
Applications are valid for one year; a family must apply annually to remain eligible for the program.
For a helpful Q&A, visit the Iowa Department of Education website You can also sign up there to receive email notifications each time new information on the ESA program becomes available.
Attention School Administrators
Are you a private or faith-based school administrator needing help with promoting ESAs in your school community? We created an ESA toolkit to help you inform and engage parents, students, and educators about the benefits of ESAs in Iowa. Contact Iowa ACE to gain access to the ESA ToolKit located under Resources. ESA Toolkit >
ESA Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Student First Act?
The Student First Act was introduced by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and signed into law on January 24, 2023. This law makes state funding available for eligible Iowa K-12 students who choose to attend accredited private schools. It also provides public schools additional funding for students who live in the school’s district but attend private schools.
What is an Education Savings Account?
An Education Savings Account (ESA) is a deposit of public funds into government-authorized savings accounts which eligible families may use to cover tuition, fees and other qualified education expenses at accredited private schools in Iowa.
How do ESAs work in Iowa?
Parents who enroll their eligible children in an accredited private school will receive $7,983 per child per school year. Funds are deposited into the student’s ESA (managed by a state contractor) yearly and the parent pays the school through an app. Funds remain available until the student graduates high school or turns 20. The remaining balance is returned to the state general fund. During the 2023-2024 school year, 16,757 students used a Students First ESA to attend an accredited nonpublic school in Iowa as of the October 1 certified enrollment date (Iowa Department of Education, 2024).
Who is eligible?
ESAs in Iowa were phased in over three years – we are now at year 3 with universal eligibility, meaning all families are eligible regardless of income level.
Year 3 — School Year 2025-26
- All K-12 students in Iowa regardless of income
How are ESA funds managed?
The state has signed a contract with Odyssey to manage program administration for Students First Education Savings Accounts, including applications, financial transactions, compliance, fraud prevention and customer service.
Which schools accept ESAs?
ESAs are accepted at all accredited non-public schools, including accredited faith-based schools across Iowa. Find a faith-based school near you.
Am I eligible for tuition assistance if I receive an ESA?
Yes. You can receive an ESA in addition to other tuition assistance that may be available to your family. ESAs were not intended to replace STOs and local tuition assistance programs.
Do private schools accept students with diverse learning needs?
Iowa’s private schools are committed to working with all learners to the best of their ability, including children who may require additional support. Many schools work with parents and the local public school district of students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to provide the services identified to meet the academic and behavioral needs of the child. There may be some student needs that private schools are not able to accommodate, and these decisions are based on the best interests of the child. Contact your local private school for information regarding admission information and criteria.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 school year and must be submitted by 11:39 pm on June 30th, 2025. Applications are valid for one year; a family must apply annually to remain eligible for the program.
How do I apply?
Apply Here. Only one application is needed per household. Parents/guardians can add multiple students attending multiple schools from their household. The application process should take 10-15 minutes, and results will be available immediately.
Parents are invited to send their questions to [email protected] or call 515-281-5211 for more information.