Arizona ESA: Amounts, Rules and Schools

How ESA works

What you get	About $7,000 to $8,000 for most students (2025-26 figures). We could not confirm the 2026-27 amount from the state. The formula is 90% of state per-pupil funding. Students with disabilities receive far more.
Who qualifies	Any Arizona K-12 student who is not enrolled in a public school. There is no income limit.
How full it is	100,474 students as of January 26, 2026. There is no cap and no waitlist, and the program costs about $1 billion a year.
When to apply	Applications are accepted year-round and funding is paid quarterly.
How the money moves	The state deposits funds each quarter into a parent-controlled ClassWallet account, and the parent pays the school.
What it covers	Private tuition and fees, textbooks, curriculum, tutoring, testing, therapies, uniforms and transportation.

Worth knowing: A ballot initiative filed for November 2026 would add a $150,000 income cap and new rules for schools. We could not confirm whether it was certified.

We read this on 2026-09-20 from: Arizona Capitol Times, 2026-02-01; EdChoice, Arizona ESA; KJZZ, 2026-07-06. Rules change when the legislature meets, so check the official program site before you count on a number.

Run your own numbers

What would you pay?

Yearly tuition the school quoted Fees, books, uniforms ESA award Children

We could not confirm this year’s ESA amount, so type in the figure from your award letter. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.

Which schools take it

Arizona does not register participating schools. Any qualified private school can be paid from an ESA, so ask the school whether it accepts ESA payments.

Browse Arizona private schools

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does ESA pay in Arizona?

About $7,000 to $8,000 for most students (2025-26 figures). We could not confirm the 2026-27 amount from the state. The formula is 90% of state per-pupil funding. Students with disabilities receive far more.

Who is eligible?

Any Arizona K-12 student who is not enrolled in a public school. There is no income limit.

Does it cover the full cost of private school?

Not always. The award is a set amount and every school sets its own price. Ask each school for tuition plus fees, then subtract the award. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.

How do I know a school accepts ESA?

Arizona does not register participating schools. Any qualified private school can be paid from an ESA, so ask the school whether it accepts ESA payments.

When do I apply?

Applications are accepted year-round and funding is paid quarterly.

Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account