What is the empowerment scholarship account?
The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program from the Arizona Department of Education gives eligible parents public funding to pursue flexible options for customizing their children's education.
What is the Family Empowerment Scholarship (Fes)?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) was signed into law on May 9, 2019 and became Florida’s sixth K-12 private school scholarship program since 1999. Like the McKay Scholarship, the FES is funded through the Florida Education Finance Plan (FEFP).
When does the Gardiner Scholarship roll over to the Family Empowerment Scholarship?
Students currently benefiting from a Gardiner Scholarship would roll into the Family Empowerment Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year after July 1 (as long as they have submitted their renewal application), as would any families that will be applying based on current Gardiner eligibility categories.
Are students enrolled in private school eligible for the HOPE Scholarship?
Note: Students currently enrolled in private school are now eligible, too! Transportation scholarships available too. Log in to your Family Empowerment Scholarship (formerly Gardiner) account. Find out more about the Hope Scholarship.
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Join Empower Illinois' efforts to expand quality education options through research, policy, and advocacy initiatives.
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Help empower students, whose education opportunities may be limited by household income, through tax credit scholarships.
Apply
Learn more about the tax credit scholarship application and awards process.
Partner
Participate in the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, or join Empower Illinois' coalition of partner organizations.
Ebony J., Mother
When the Tax Credit Scholarship Program began in 2018, three of Ebony’s children were able to attend Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School on full scholarships. “At the time, my husband was in between jobs. We...
Patricia W., Grandmother
I’m fighting for tax credit scholarships on behalf of my grandson. My son, his father, attended the local public school and became very lost. He ended up not graduating and...
Patrick T., Father
I’m a single father. There was no way I was going to be able to afford my daughter attending Fenwick High School on an Uber driver salary. I could work 15 hours...
What is the FES program in Florida?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) was signed into law on May 9, 2019 and became Florida’s sixth K-12 private school scholarship program since 1999. Like the McKay Scholarship, the FES is funded through the Florida Education Finance Plan (FEFP). The FEFP also funds district public schools as well as public charter schools. The new FES program was capped at 18,000 students for for the inaugural year. More than 17,000 students in its first year. For 2020-21, the FES program served 36,409 students.
How many students are in the FES program in 2020?
More than 17,000 students in its first year. For 2020-21, the FES program served 36,409 students. For the 2021-22 school year, the Family Empowerment Scholarship will expand to include an Education Savings Account for children with unique abilities (or special needs) along with its existing option for K-12 private school.
Will McKay Scholarship be rolled into Family Empowerment Scholarship?
For the 2022-23 school year, the McKay Scholarship program will be rolled into the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Students benefiting from the McKay Scholarship at that time will be transitioned to the Family Empowerment Scholarship.
When will ESA funds be processed?
ESA funds will be processed between the 15th through the 30th of the first month of each Quarter ( July, October, January, April). While the funds disburse on those dates, there can be a processing period before the funds appear on the cards and are available to use.
Can a student be enrolled in a public school?
However, the student can be enrolled in a public school ONLY if the public school IS NOT receiving state funds for the student. The Empowerment Scholarship Account Program reallocates 90% of the funds the public school would have received for the student, to the parent to spend on their education.
Can ESA reset password?
ESA does not have access to your password and cannot reset your password for you. If you are locked out of your account, please wait 15 minutes and try again. I can log in, but now I don't know where to go. ADE Connect is a web portal utilized by the Arizona Department of Education.
Important Information
- ESA is now accepting applicationsfor the 2022-2023 school year!
- The 2021-2022 ESA Application is now closed.
- Current ESA students do not need to reapply each year to continue in the program. Renewal contracts have now gone out. Make sure to electronically sign and return!If you have not rece…
- ESA is now accepting applicationsfor the 2022-2023 school year!
- The 2021-2022 ESA Application is now closed.
- Current ESA students do not need to reapply each year to continue in the program. Renewal contracts have now gone out. Make sure to electronically sign and return!If you have not received your re...
- If you aren't receiving our weekly email update, email sarah.raybon@azed.govand we'll make sure you are added to the list!
The Benefits of An Esa
- Empowers you to customize your child’s education
- Provides public funding for personalized learning
- Covers a wide range of education expenses
- Easy application process
Who Qualifies For An ESA?
- Preschool students with special needs
- K-12 students with special needs
- Children of active-duty military parent
- Children of a military parent killed in the line of duty
How to Use Your Esa Funds
- ClassWallet is the financial management system for the ESA program. You can make tuition payments, purchase other educational items and more, all directly through ClassWallet. Learn more about ClassWallet