Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) gives every K-12 student access to approximately $7,000–$8,000 per year in public education funds that can be used for private school tuition — including Montessori and language immersion preschools. As of February 2026, over 101,000 Arizona students are enrolled. Here’s exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how Phoenix families are using ESA to afford trilingual education they thought was out of reach.
If you’ve ever searched “I can’t afford daycare” or “how much does Montessori school cost” — this guide is for you. ESA may change the math entirely.
What Is Arizona’s ESA Program?
ESA at a Glance:
- What: State-funded education savings account for private school tuition and approved expenses
- Who: All Arizona K-12 students eligible to enroll in public school (universal eligibility since 2022)
- How much: ~$7,000–$8,000/year for most students (more for students with IEPs or 504 plans)
- Preschool: Eligible if child has an IEP, MET report, or 504 plan
- Enrollment: 101,610+ students as of February 2026
The Empowerment Scholarship Account is Arizona’s school choice program. Instead of your education tax dollars going to a public school, they go into a dedicated account that you control. You can use those funds for private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, educational technology, and other approved expenses.
Arizona made ESA universally available in 2022 — meaning any K-12 student who is eligible to attend public school can apply. You don’t need to demonstrate financial need. You don’t need a special circumstance. If your child lives in Arizona and is school-age, they likely qualify.
The one caveat: preschool-age children (under kindergarten age) are eligible only if they have a Multidisciplinary Education Team (MET) report, IEP, or 504 plan. For kindergarten-age children and above, eligibility is universal.
How Much Does ESA Actually Pay?
ESA is funded at 90% of the state’s per-pupil base funding, plus any additional assistance a student would receive in a charter school. For the 2025-2026 school year:
- Typical student: $7,000–$8,000 per year
- Average account value: $9,572 (2024-2025, includes students with additional funding)
- Students with IEP/504: Significantly more, based on disability category and required services
- Distribution: Quarterly payments to your ESA account
To put this in perspective: if private Montessori school tuition is $12,000/year and your ESA provides $7,500, your out-of-pocket cost drops to $4,500/year — or about $375/month. For many families, that makes private education affordable for the first time.
How Do I Apply for Arizona ESA?
The application process is straightforward:
- Visit the Arizona Department of Education ESA portal: azed.gov/esa
- Complete the online application (you’ll need proof of Arizona residency and your child’s birth certificate)
- Wait for processing — applications are processed within 30 business days
- Sign the ESA contract (you agree to withdraw from public/charter school)
- Receive quarterly deposits into your ESA ClassWallet account
- Use funds for approved expenses (tuition, textbooks, tutoring, and more)
Important: Once you sign the ESA contract, your child cannot simultaneously attend a public or charter school. You’re choosing private education instead, funded by your share of state education dollars.
Questions? The ESA service center is available at (602) 364-1969.
What Can ESA Funds Be Used For?
ESA covers more than just tuition. Approved expenses include:
- ✅ Tuition and fees at a qualified private school
- ✅ Required textbooks
- ✅ Tutoring and teaching services
- ✅ Curricula and supplementary materials
- ✅ Nonpublic online learning programs
- ✅ Nationally norm-referenced testing
- ✅ Educational technology (computers, devices)
- ✅ School uniforms
- ✅ Transportation services
- ✅ Services provided by a public school (à la carte)
This means you could use ESA to cover tuition at a Montessori school, pay for Mandarin tutoring, purchase educational materials for home use, and cover testing fees — all from the same account.
How Phoenix Families Use ESA for Trilingual Montessori Education
Here’s where it gets personal. At Beibei Amigos and Amici Trilingual Montessori, we see ESA families every enrollment season. The conversation usually goes like this:
“We love the idea of trilingual education, but we didn’t think we could afford private school.”
Then they discover ESA covers a significant portion of tuition — and suddenly the decision isn’t about affordability anymore. It’s about which program is the best fit.
Both Beibei Amigos (North Phoenix) and Amici Trilingual Montessori (Ahwatukee) accept ESA funds. Our admissions team can walk you through exactly how ESA applies to your family’s situation, including:
- How to apply if you haven’t yet
- How quarterly distributions align with our tuition schedule
- What additional expenses ESA can cover (textbooks, materials, testing)
- How to maximize your ESA funds across the school year
“La educación es el arma más poderosa que puedes usar para cambiar el mundo.” — Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. (Nelson Mandela)
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona ESA
Can I use ESA for preschool?
Preschool-age children qualify for ESA if they have a Multidisciplinary Education Team (MET) report, IEP, or 504 plan. For kindergarten and above, all Arizona students are eligible regardless of special needs status. If your preschooler doesn’t have an IEP/504, ESA becomes available once they reach kindergarten age.
Do I have to demonstrate financial need to qualify?
No. Since Arizona expanded ESA to universal eligibility in 2022, there is no income requirement. Every Arizona K-12 student who is eligible to attend public school can apply, regardless of family income.
Can my child attend a Montessori school with ESA funds?
Yes. ESA funds can be used at any qualified private school, including Montessori, language immersion, religious, and secular schools. Both Beibei Amigos and Amici Trilingual Montessori are qualified ESA-accepting schools.
How long does the ESA application take?
Applications are processed within 30 business days. We recommend applying at least 2 months before your desired start date to ensure funds are available when school begins. The ESA service center at (602) 364-1969 can help with questions during the process.
Can I use ESA for after-school programs?
ESA funds can be used for tutoring and teaching services, which may cover some after-school enrichment programs depending on how they’re structured. Contact the ESA service center or your school’s admissions team to confirm what qualifies for your specific situation.
Ready to Explore ESA for Your Family?
Schedule a tour and ask about how ESA applies to our tuition. We’ll walk you through everything.