Arizona ESA
Arizona ESA Funding Amounts (2025-2026)
How much money does the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) actually pay? Below is the 2025-2026 funding picture — base awards, disability tiers, kindergarten reductions, and how the quarterly deposit schedule works. Always confirm the current figures at azed.gov/esa.
Last reviewed: July 2026
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Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always confirm current rules with the Arizona Department of Education.
Base ESA award (typical K-12 student)
For a typical K-12 student without a disability category, the base ESA award is roughly $7,000-$7,500 per year in 2025-2026. This is set at approximately 90% of the state's per-pupil base level and adjusts each fiscal year. Funds are deposited quarterly to your ClassWallet account.
Kindergarten award
Kindergartners receive a reduced (roughly 50%) award because kindergarten is treated as a half-time grade under the state funding formula. Families with a K student often bank rollover for larger first-grade purchases.
Students with a disability
Awards for students with a documented disability are tiered by category. Approximate 2025-2026 ranges:
- Category A (mild) — roughly $9,000-$12,000
- Category B (moderate) — roughly $15,000-$20,000
- Category C (severe) — roughly $25,000-$32,000
- Category D (highest-need, hearing/vision, autism) — often $35,000-$40,000+
You'll need a current MET/IEP or 504 plan, and in some cases a private evaluation, to qualify at the higher tiers. See ESA Eligibility for documentation details.
How the quarterly deposit schedule works
ESA funds are released in four quarterly installments — roughly August, November, February, and May. Each deposit requires your quarterly expense report to be on file. Miss a report and the next deposit is delayed until you catch up.
Rollover: unspent funds carry forward
Money you don't spend rolls to the next quarter and the next year while your child remains on ESA. Many families intentionally build rollover to fund a private-school tuition year, a big-ticket computer, or a full curriculum bundle later on.
Multiple children
Each child receives their own individual award. There's no family cap, no per-household reduction, and no bonus for enrolling multiple kids. Award amounts stack directly.
What the funds cannot be used for
ESA funds cannot be used for consumables outside educational scope, family entertainment, or anything that fails the "educational purpose" test. See What Arizona ESA Covers for the full allowable-expense list.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Arizona ESA pay per student in 2025-2026?
The base award for a typical K-12 student is roughly $7,000-$7,500 per year, deposited in four quarterly installments to your ClassWallet account. Kindergartners receive a reduced amount (about half of the base) since they are part-time. Students with a qualifying disability receive substantially more — often $9,000 to $40,000+ depending on the category and services on their MET/IEP. The Arizona Department of Education publishes the current funding chart each fiscal year.
Do students with disabilities get more ESA money?
Yes. Awards for students with a documented disability are tiered by category (mild, moderate, severe, autism, hearing/vision impairment, etc.). Categories A through D range from roughly $9,000 up to $40,000+ per year. You'll need a current MET/IEP or a 504 plan and, in many cases, a private evaluation to qualify at the higher tiers.
When are ESA deposits made?
Funds hit ClassWallet in four quarterly installments — typically August, November, February, and May. Your first quarterly deposit lands after your contract is fully executed and your quarterly report is on file. Missing a report delays the next deposit.
Can I roll unused ESA funds to the next year?
Yes. Unspent funds carry over year to year while your child remains an active ESA recipient. They do not expire annually. Rollover funds are especially useful for saving toward big-ticket items like a computer, curriculum bundles, or a private-school tuition year.
Does the ESA amount change if my child is enrolled part time in public school?
You cannot be enrolled part time in a public school and receive full ESA. The ESA contract requires withdrawal from public school. If you want part-time public-school enrollment, the ESA is not the right pathway.
Is the funding taxable?
No. ESA funds are not counted as taxable income to your family. They are a state education award spent through ClassWallet on approved expenses.
Do I get more if I have multiple kids on ESA?
Each student gets their own individual award based on their grade level and disability category. There is no per-family bonus or reduction — the amounts stack.
What if I need funds mid-year for a big purchase?
You can request a preapproval for large items (like a computer over $2,000) at any time. But you can only spend what's currently in your ClassWallet balance — you cannot pull the whole year's funding up front. Plan big buys around the quarterly deposit calendar.
Where does the official 2025-2026 funding chart live?
The Arizona Department of Education publishes the current award schedule at azed.gov/esa each fiscal year. Amounts adjust slightly annually based on the state's per-pupil base level. Always confirm the latest number there before budgeting.
Related ESA guides
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Confirm current rules with the Arizona Department of Education.