The application period has closed. Approved students must attend an accredited Iowa nonpublic school and complete fall tuition and fee payments through the ESA portal by Sept. 30.
By Hola America News
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa families already approved for a Students First Education Savings Account have until Sept. 30 to complete the fall payment process required to keep $8,148 in state education funding for the 2026-27 school year.
The deadline does not reopen ESA applications. Iowa closed the application period on June 30.
Instead, Sept. 30 is the deadline for students who already have an approved ESA. The student must attend an accredited nonpublic school in Iowa. A parent or guardian must also complete the fall tuition and fee payment through the ESA portal.
Students who do not meet both requirements lose eligibility for the 2026-27 ESA funds.
The 2026-27 Iowa ESA provides $8,148 per eligible student
The Students First ESA provides $8,148 per eligible student for the 2026-27 school year.
Families do not receive that amount as a direct cash payment. Iowa places the money in an education savings account that families access through the ESA portal.
Half of the annual amount becomes available for the fall semester. The other half becomes available for spring.
Fall funds became available July 15, or 30 days after approval of the application, whichever came later.
Schools enter tuition and fee charges into the ESA system. Parents or guardians then confirm those payments through the portal.
Families must use ESA money for tuition and required school fees first. After paying those charges, active participants may use any remaining balance for other eligible education expenses in the program marketplace.
Approved families still have two requirements to complete by Sept. 30
Approval of an ESA application does not finish the process for the school year.
By Sept. 30, the student must attend an accredited nonpublic school in Iowa.
A parent or guardian must also complete the fall tuition and fee payment through the ESA portal.
Selecting a school inside the ESA portal does not enroll the student there. Families complete school enrollment separately with the nonpublic school.
Students also need to attend full time. Iowa requires participating students to attend classes for at least 75% of a full-time schedule.
Families cannot submit a new ESA application for 2026-27
Iowa accepted applications for the current school year from April 16 through June 30.
That application period has ended. Families that did not apply by June 30 cannot use the Sept. 30 deadline to submit a new application.
Iowa also requires a new ESA application each year, including for students who participated previously.
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Iowa removed the household income limit from the program. For 2026-27, eligible K-12 students can participate regardless of family income if they meet the other requirements.
Related: An Iowa family used an ESA for private school, then their application was denied.
Missing the Sept. 30 deadline closes the ESA for the school year
Iowa will finalize eligibility for the 2026-27 school year beginning Oct. 1.
A student loses eligibility if the student is not attending an accredited Iowa nonpublic school by the deadline.
Families also lose eligibility if they do not complete the fall tuition and fee payment through the ESA portal by Sept. 30.
The next major funding date is Dec. 1. That is when spring ESA funds become available for eligible students.
Families then face another tuition and fee deadline on Feb. 1, 2027.
ESA funds cover tuition and fees before other expenses
Students First ESA money can pay for more than private-school tuition, but tuition and required fees come first.
After those charges are paid, active ESA participants can use remaining funds for other eligible education expenses through the program marketplace.
Unused money can remain in a student’s ESA for a future year if the student continues to participate in the program.
Each ESA belongs to one student. Families cannot transfer money from one child’s account to pay another child’s tuition or other expenses.
Program requirements, the ESA calendar and contact information are available through the Iowa Department of Education Students First ESA page.
Families with application or portal questions can call 515-368-9564. The number for general program questions is 515-954-5652.
The enrollment and fall tuition payment deadline for approved 2026-27 Students First ESA participants is Sept. 30.
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