Alaska Correspondence School Allotment Program

The Alaska Correspondence Study and Student Allotment Program is a unique state choice program that combines elements of voucher, town tuition, and education savings account programs. Students who live in sparsely populated areas receive special benefits from this program. Participating students must have an individual learning plan developed as they enroll in the program. Allowable expenses include curriculum, services, and materials required for the participant’s course of study. Using program funds to pay for full-time enrollment at a private institution is outside program guidelines, according to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

Honorable Mention Fact: This is the only program we include that doesn’t fit into any of the usual classifications for school choice programs.

Funding Mechanism: A reservation from a school district’s year-end fund balance, which is in turn based on the state’s Base Student Allocation formula

Universal Eligibility: ✅
Universal Usage: ❌
Universal Funding: ✅
Truly Universal: ❌

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Qualified expenses include books; classes; school supplies; technology support; tutoring; athletic equipment; music or activity lessons; curriculum; individual courses at private institutions, and other items related to a participating student’s education.

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

View program requirements for parents, schools, and scholarship granting organizations by clicking on each hyperlink.

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

AS § 14.03.300-320; 14.07.020, 050; 14.17.430 

(Last updated July 15, 2024) 

On January 24, 2023, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Anchorage against Alaska’s Correspondence Allotment Program seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. Plaintiffs allege the program violates Article VII, Section 1 of the Alaska Constitution, which declares public funds cannot be used “for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.” They argue state funds are “channeled through an intermediary,” being the parents, whose utilization of the program diverts funds from public schools to directly benefit private schools. The Institute for Justice immediately intervened on behalf of participating parents to defend the program. Oral argument was held on October 24, 2023. Alexander v. Acting Commissioner Heidi Teshner, Superior Court of Anchorage, Case No. 3AN-23-04309CI. Pending.   

(Last updated July 15, 2024)