Education Savings Account

Iowa Students First Education Savings Account

  • Enacted:
    2023
  • Launched:
    2023
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Program Stats

  • 100%

    Students Eligible

  • 100%

    Funded Eligibility

  • 27,862

    Participating Students (2024-25)

  • $7,988

    Average Account Value

  • 58%

    Public School Funding

Program Summary

This ESA program is now open to all Iowa students who are eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12. Participating students must enroll in an accredited private school; homeschoolers cannot participate. Students must use their account funds to pay for tuition and fees before they may use them on other qualifying expenses. Accounts are funded at 100% of the state’s regular program cost per-pupil funding, minus administrative expenses. There is no enrollment or budgetary cap. Accounts are funded through a restricted appropriation to the DOE from the state’s general fund. Unused funds may roll over to the next school year until the student graduates from high school or turns 20, whichever occurs first. Parents must reapply annually to continue their child’s participation in the program.

Funding Mechanism: Appropriation from the state general fund to the Department of Education 

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

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Use of Funds

Qualifying expenses include tuition and fees at a nonpublic school, tuition or fees for nonpublic online education programs or vocational and life skills education approved by the DOE, textbooks, educational therapies including tutoring, curriculum, software, education materials, and services for pupils with disabilities from an accredited provider. Funds may cover the costs of paraprofessionals and assistants who are trained in accordance with state law, standardized tests, materials for a course of study for a specific subject matter or grade level, and AP examinations or examinations related to postsecondary education admission or credentialing. 

Funds may not be used to pay for uniforms or clothing, transportation, food or drink, or disposable materials including but not limited to paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, and art supplies. 

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Program Guidelines

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

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Governing Statutes

Iowa Stat. §257.11B

(Last updated December 19, 2025)