Families can submit applications starting April 16 at 8 a.m. through June 30 at 11:59 p.m.
The Iowa Department of Education today announced that the Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program officially opens for applications for the 2025-26 school year on Wednesday, April 16, at 8 a.m.
Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Students First Education Savings Accounts webpage. The link will redirect them to the Students First ESA platform managed by Odyssey, the program’s contracted administrator. When the application period opens at 8 a.m. on April 16, 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 the 2025-26 school year. Applications are available in English and Spanish and will be accepted until Monday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.
The Students First Act, introduced by Governor Kim Reynolds and signed into law on Jan. 24, 2023, makes the state funding intended for a child’s education available to be directed by parents and guardians of eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools. Eligible students must be residents of Iowa, enroll as a full-time student and attend an accredited nonpublic school that is located in Iowa.
Beginning this year, all Iowa resident K-12 students are eligible for the ESA program, regardless of their family income. Annual ESA applications are required for all prospective ESA participants. Funds held in an ESA can be used for tuition, fees and other eligible qualified education expenses.
Proof of residency will be automatically verified during the application process using the parent’s or guardian’s 2024 Iowa State Tax Return. If a 2024 tax return was not filed in Iowa, the applicant must provide other allowable documentation to verify student eligibility.
Families planning to apply can find answers to frequently asked questions about the application, process, eligibility and more on the Iowa Department of Education’s ESA webpage.
Technical support is available from Odyssey representatives by phone at 515-368-9564 or email at help.ia@withodyssey.com.