Applications Open Tuesday for ESA Program

The Iowa Department of Education says the Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program officially opens for applications for the 2024-25 school year on Tuesday.

The Students First Act, introduced by Governor Reynolds and signed into law last year, makes the state funding intended for a child’s education available to be directed by parents and guardians of eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools.

All returning students who used an ESA during the 2023-24 school year, incoming kindergarteners and all K-12 students currently attending a public school who choose to enroll in an accredited nonpublic school for the 2024-25 school year are eligible for the ESA program, regardless of their family income.  

Beginning this year, students who attended an accredited nonpublic school at any time during the 2023-24 school year and did not receive an ESA are eligible for the 2024-25 school year if their household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. 

Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage. The program opens for applications at 8 am Tuesday and will be accepted through June 30th.