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Introduced under the Students First Act (HF 68), signed into law on January 24, 2023, the program creates Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) that direct Iowa’s public K–12 funding to families to use on accredited nonpublic schools or qualified education expenses. Funds are managed through a state contracted provider, Odyssey, which handles applications, disbursements, and eligible purchases.
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How do I purchase Goally with my ESA funds?
Once approved, login to your Odyssey account, search “Goally” and check out! It’s just that simple! You can find detailed instructions here.
How much money can a family receive with an Iowa Education Savings Account?
For the 2024-25 school year, the amount will be $7,826. Funds are held in an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other eligible qualified education expenses.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Send your questions to [email protected] or call 515-954-5652.
How do I know if my family meets the income requirements to be eligible for the ESA?
In the 2023-24 school year, only families whose children were enrolled in an Iowa accredited nonpublic school will need to meet income eligibility requirements. Families with a household income at or below 300% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible. In 2024-25 school year, it will be families at or below 400% of the poverty guidelines.
What are eligible expenses?
See a whole list HERE.
How do I apply for the Iowa education Savings Account?
You can apply on Iowas Department of Education Website using the Odyssey platform here.
Here’s how the Iowa Students First Education Savings Account Program works. The state of Iowa provides funds for this program. Parents can apply for an account, and if they’re accepted, they get a certain amount of money each year for their child’s education. The per student funding for 2025–26 per-pupil ESA: $7,988. 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.
Application Timeline (Annual):
April 16, 2025 (8 a.m.) – June 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m.): ESA application window .
July 15, 2025 (or 30 days post-approval): Fall funds released .
By Sept 30: Tuition must be paid via ESA portal or funds revoked .
Dec 1, 2025: Spring funds released .
Feb 1, 2026: Deadline for spring payments via portal
The program became universal for all Iowa K–12 students in the 2025–26 school year:
• Year 1 (2023–24): All kindergartners and public-to-private transfers; private-school students ≤ 300% FPL
• Year 2 (2024–25): Eligibility expanded to private-school students ≤ 400% FPL
• Year 3 (2025–26 onward): All Iowa resident K–12 students, regardless of income   .
Families must be full-time students at Iowa-accredited nonpublic schools. Homeschool-only families do not qualify unless enrolled in such schools
