Arizona has one of the most established and generous ESA programs in the entire country, and it is open to all families.

If you are homeschooling in Arizona and you are not already using the Empowerment Scholarship Account, you might be leaving thousands of dollars on the table every single year.

Let us walk you through how it works.

Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)

Arizona launched its ESA program back in 2011, making it one of the oldest school choice programs in the country. In 2022, Arizona expanded the program to all K-12 students in the state, regardless of income or prior school enrollment.

That means any Arizona family homeschooling their child can apply, period.

How Much Money Does Arizona’s ESA Provide?

Arizona’s ESA is funded at approximately 90% of what the state would have spent on your child in public school. That has typically meant several thousand dollars per student, per year.

For a family with three kids, that could be well over $10,000 annually in educational funds. That is a real curriculum budget.

What Can You Spend Arizona ESA Funds On?

Arizona’s program is fairly flexible. Approved expenses include:

• Curriculum and textbooks
• Tutoring
• Online courses and educational software
• Uniforms (if applicable)
• Standardized testing fees
• Contributions to college savings accounts (in some cases)
• Therapeutic services for students with special needs

Homeschool curriculum from approved providers like A to Z for Moms absolutely qualifies. Our structured K-8 curriculum covers all core subjects and is ideal for families making the most of their ESA funding.

How to Apply for Arizona’s ESA

Applications are processed through the Arizona Department of Education. Here is the general process:

• Visit the Arizona Department of Education’s ESA portal
• Create an account and complete the application for each eligible child
• Provide required documentation (varies based on circumstances)
• Wait for approval, which typically takes a few weeks

Once approved, your funds are loaded into a ClassWallet account. A to Z for Moms is an approved ClassWallet vendor, so you can purchase directly through the platform.

Managing Your Arizona ESA Account

A few important things to know:

• You must submit quarterly reports showing how funds were spent
• Unused funds roll over to the next year, which is a huge benefit
• Keep all receipts and documentation of your educational purchases
• Only purchase items from the approved expense categories

The rollover feature is one of the best parts of Arizona’s program. If you do not spend everything one year, it is there waiting for you the next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Arizona’s ESA if my child has special needs?

Yes. Arizona’s ESA program actually started as a special needs program before expanding to all families. Families of children with special needs may qualify for additional funding.

Do I have to use all my Arizona ESA funds in one year?

No. Arizona allows unused funds to roll over to the following school year. This makes it easier to save for larger purchases or plan across multiple years.

What happens if I spend ESA funds on something not approved?

Unapproved spending can result in having to repay the funds. Always verify that a purchase is on the approved list before spending ESA money on it.

Arizona Families: You Have Options

Arizona built one of the nation’s most family-friendly education funding systems. Take advantage of it.

Our curriculum is structured, comprehensive, and designed for homeschool families who want a complete education without the overwhelm. Learn more about using your Arizona ESA here, or shop our full catalog to start planning.