The Students First Act, introduced by Governor Reynolds and signed into law on January 24, 2023, makes state funding available to support the success of every K-12 student in Iowa. The bill establishes a framework and funding for education savings accounts which may be used by eligible families to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at accredited private schools in Iowa.
How it Works
Parents who choose to enroll their eligible children in an accredited private school will receive an amount equal to the per pupil funding allocated to public school districts for the same budget school year. Funds will be deposited into an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses as specified in the legislation.
The state is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) from businesses with experience managing ESA programs. The vendor selected will support the transfer of funds from the state to families of eligible students and ensure program compliance.
Who is Eligible
ESAs will be available based on the following eligibility:
Year 1: School Year 2023-24
Year 2: School Year 2024-25
Year 3: School Year 2025-26
Categorical Funding
Other student funding generated by categorical funding formulas will remain with public school districts. This will include funding for students who choose to leave their public school, and for all students who live in the district but attend a private school. In the first year of the program it’s estimated that Iowa’s public schools will receive approximately $1,205 per pupil in categorical funding for students enrolled in private schools.
How to Apply
The application process is in development now and details, including the application start date, will be provided soon. Applications will be due on June 1, 2023, for the 2023-2024 school year. Applications are valid for one year; a family must apply annually to remain eligible for the program.
Sign up for Notifications
This webpage will be updated as new information is available. Sign up to receive email notifications when updates are made to this page.
This content was originally published here.
Comments are closed.