What is ESA?
Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program puts education funding directly in parents' hands. Instead of that money going to a school district, it goes into an account you control — and you decide how to spend it on your child's education.
Most Arizona K–12 students are eligible. There are no income limits and no minimum test scores. Students in grades 1–12 who are currently in private school or homeschool may need to meet a 45-day public school enrollment requirement, though several exemptions exist (including for kindergarteners, military families, and students with disabilities). We’ll help you figure out your family’s eligibility during your free consultation.
The funds cover private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, educational therapy, and personalized 1-on-1 instruction from approved providers like Pono Education.
What can ESA funds pay for?
ESA funds cover a wide range of approved educational expenses. Here are the main categories:
- ✓ Private school tuition
- ✓ Tutoring & teaching services (like Pono Education)
- ✓ Curriculum & supplementary materials
- ✓ Educational therapy (for students with disabilities)
- ✓ Online learning programs
- ✓ Standardized testing (ACT, SAT, AP exams)
- ✓ School uniforms
- ✓ Computer hardware & technology
- ✓ Transportation services
- ✓ College tuition (post-graduation)
How much funding is available?
| Student Type | Approximate Annual Funding |
|---|---|
| General education (grades 1-12) | $7,000 – $9,000 |
| Kindergarten | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| Students with IEP or 504 Plan | $10,000 – $12,000 |
| Students with autism diagnosis | Up to $28,000 |
| Students with severe disabilities | Up to $43,000 |
Exact amounts depend on grade level and disability classification. The statewide average is approximately $10,000 per student, though most general education families receive between $7,000 and $9,000. Funds are deposited quarterly into your ClassWallet account.
If your child has a documented disability — even without an IEP — you may qualify for significantly more funding. We can help you understand your options.
Unused ESA funds roll over to the next school year — you never lose what you don't spend. Leftover ESA funds can even be used for college tuition within four years of high school graduation.
How to get started
Apply for ESA
The application is straightforward and can be completed online in about 15-20 minutes.
- 🌐 Visit azed.gov/esa
- ✍️ Complete online application (~15-20 minutes)
- 📋 You'll need proof of AZ residency + birth certificate + IEP/MET/504 if applicable
- 📅 Applications accepted year-round
- ⏰ Processing takes ~30 days
Sign your ESA contract
Once approved, ADE will send you a contract. Sign it, and you'll receive access to your ClassWallet account where your funds are deposited quarterly.
Contact Pono Education
Schedule a free consultation with us. We'll discuss your child's needs, walk you through how to use ClassWallet, and create a personalized instruction plan.
Start sessions — we handle the billing
As an approved ClassWallet vendor, Pono Education receives payment directly through the platform. No out-of-pocket costs, no invoices to manage — just learning.
What is ClassWallet?
ClassWallet is the financial platform Arizona uses to manage ESA funds. Think of it like a dedicated bank account for your child's education. Your ESA funds are deposited quarterly into your ClassWallet account, and all transactions are tracked automatically.
How to access your account and pay Pono Education
- Log into ADEConnect at azed.gov
- Click "Go to ClassWallet Account"
- Search for Pono Education in the marketplace
- Pay via Direct Pay
When you use Pono Education, the billing is simple: after each billing period, we submit a detailed invoice through ClassWallet on your behalf. The invoice includes your child’s name, session dates, subjects covered, and total amount. You’ll see it in your ClassWallet account and approve the payment. The funds go directly from your ESA account to Pono Education — no checks to write, no reimbursements to file, no paperwork for you to create.
Need help with ClassWallet? Their support team is available Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm EST at 1-877-969-5536. You can also reach out to us — we walk families through the process all the time.
2025-26 school year update: The ESA handbook introduced new documentation requirements. When making purchases, be prepared to show how items connect to your child's educational plan. Pono Education handles all billing through ClassWallet — families don't need to worry about documentation for our services.
Does your child have a learning difference?
Students with documented disabilities often qualify for 3 to 4 times the standard ESA funding. This can fully cover intensive 1-on-1 instruction.
Qualifying documentation includes:
Not sure if your child qualifies? We can help during your free consultation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationFrequently asked questions
We hear these questions all the time from Arizona families exploring ESA funding. If you don't see your question below, reach out and we'll be happy to help.
Ready to get started with ESA?
Schedule a free consultation. We'll help you understand your funding options and create a plan for your child.
Schedule a Free ConsultationOr email: [email protected]