News

ESA Program & APSTO Scholarship Awards

6/5/2023 8:31 PM

In 2022 Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program became universally available to all K-12 students in the state of Arizona. Here is what you need to know about APSTO's tuition tax credit program and the universal ESA program.

Annual Participation: New for the 23/24 school year, whether you choose ESA or STO participation, a student may receive funding from only one of the two programs for the entire school year.
Two Options: Parents may choose to receive either ESA or APSTO awards for their student, but NOT during the same school year. If you decide to move to the ESA program, please notify APSTO. Any STO awards already issued for the school year will need to be returned. It is the parents' responsibility to report any eligibility changes to APSTO at admin@apsto.org.
Both Programs are Student Specific: Consideration is unique for each student. For example, if you have two students attending private school, it may be financially more advantageous to have an ESA contract for one student and, at the same time, have the other student funded by APSTO awards. Another aspect to consider is Low-Income Corporate tax credits eligibility, as eligible students can receive significant tax credit awards. Each family needs to understand their unique situation.
Exiting ESA: if your student participated with ESA in the 22/23 school year and you wish to receive APSTO awards for the 23/24 school year, please apply with a 23/24 APSTO Application and submit the "ESA Application Closed Confirmation" or the "Non-renewal Notification" email with your application. Both email documents are generated by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) upon closing your student's ESA account or not renewing for the new school year. The ADE email detailing ESA non-participation is required to receive any tuition tax credit awards for the 23/24 school year. A screen shot of the ESA portal is insufficient for acknowledging this status.
Held APSTO Awards: APSTO will hold pending awards for students that are ESA participants. An annual application is required for APSTO to hold pending awards. In the Application under the ESA Participation section, please select option 3 "My student is participating with ESA. Their contract will not be cancelled for the 2023-2024 academic year." APSTO may hold pending awards for future school years provided the family applies to APSTO annually.
Donors: Arizona taxpayers have a choice where their tax dollars are sent. Please continue to make your annual donations to APSTO. Recommended donations for current ESA students will be accepted for potential use in another school year. You may also consider making a recommended donation to a non-ESA student or a school scholarship fund. APSTO helps thousands of students afford private education. All of this is made possible by the generosity extended to us by donors like you!
School Communication: Your child's school finance team will be a helpful resource in determining which program best fits your family. Parents must notify their student's school of their ESA participation.
Questions: Feel free to call anytime you'd like to talk over what program best suits your family. Call 480-256-1001. We're always here to help!