The Iowa Department of Education today announced that the Students First Education Savings Account, or ESA program, officially opens for applications for the 2025-26 school year on Wednesday at 8am. Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Students First Education Savings Accounts webpage. When the application period opens at 8am Wednesday, new applicants will be required to first create an ESA Portal account before starting the application process.
Returning applicants will log in to their existing ESA Portal account to complete a new application for next school year.
Applications will be accepted until June 30th at 11:59pm.
Funds held in an ESA can be used for tuition, fees and other eligible qualified education expenses. Signed into law over two years ago, it makes state funding intended for a child’s education available to be directed by parents and guardians of eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools.
