Overview

Arizona’s primary pathway for funding home education is the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), which families can use for approved educational expenses at home or to pay private school tuition. Arizona also offers Tax-Credit Scholarships through certified School Tuition Organizations (STOs), but those apply to private school tuition (not independent home education). You cannot use an ESA and an STO scholarship for the same student at the same time.

Programs

Eligibility

• Residency: Student must be an Arizona resident
• Age/grade: Eligible to enroll in K–12 (universal ESA)
• Prior enrollment: Not required for universal ESA
• Income / IEP: Not required to qualify; disability status may affect award amount
• Other: You may not take an STO scholarship concurrently with an ESA for the same student

How to apply

1. Create an ADEConnect account and start the ESA application
2. Upload required documents (e.g., proof of residency, birth certificate; disability documentation if applicable)
3. Review and sign the ESA contract
4. After approval, use ClassWallet for allowable purchases and/or tuition payments

Go to ESA application portal

Considering private school instead? Apply directly to one or more certified STOs: Find STOs

Covered expenses

Deadlines

Docs & forms

• ESA Parent Handbook (ADE page)
• Eligibility & Application (ADE)
• ClassWallet information (ADE)
• ESA Resources (laws, guidance, contacts)
• Tax-Credit Scholarships (AZDOR)

Official sources

• ADE — ESA program
• ESA portal (ADEConnect)
• Eligibility & Apply
• ESA resources
• AZ Dept. of Revenue — STO tax credits

FAQs

Contacts

Law & regulations

• A.R.S. §15-2402 — ESA program & contract (transfers, rules, no concurrent STO)
• A.R.S. §15-2401 — Definitions
• A.R.S. §15-802.01 — Homeschool students and interscholastic activities