Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is typically used instead of a full-time public school. Most families use ESA to pay for private school, homeschool curriculum, tutors, or other private education services. Because ESA replaces the public-school funding that would normally follow a student, state rules limit when ESA can be combined with other publicly funded options.

Here’s how the most common combinations work.

Keep in mind, this is how ESAs work in Arizona. Each state, and sometimes each district, can set how its funding is provided, used, and combined for different school types and expenses. 

ESA and district or charter schools

In general, a student using ESA cannot be enrolled full-time in a district, charter, or public online school at the same time. Those schools already receive state funding based on enrollment (think, the dollars go from the government straight to the school based on your enrollment), and ESA is meant to replace that funding, not add to it.

In some cases, a district may sell part-time services—like a single class or therapy—to an ESA student. This is only allowed if the student is not counted as enrolled for state funding. Whether this is offered depends on the district, so families must check directly and confirm that the student will not be reported for attendance.

ESA and online schools or microschools

Public online charter schools count as public schools, so ESA students cannot enroll in them.

However, ESA funds can be used for private online programs or microschools if the provider and expense are approved under ESA rules. In those cases, the program is treated like any other private provider, and payment comes from the ESA account.

ESA and tax-credit (STO) scholarships

ESA and Arizona tuition tax-credit scholarships cannot be used simultaneously for the same student and school year. Both are forms of state-supported education funding, and families must choose one or the other.

Some families use STO scholarships in one year and ESA in a later year, but they cannot overlap.

ESA and special-education services

When a student uses ESA instead of attending a public school, the family generally gives up the federal right to special-education services through the public system. The responsibility for services shifts from the district to the parent. Additionally, private schools do not have to adhere to the provisions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). That’s why it’s important to do your research upfront to ensure you’re selecting the best-fit school for your child before choosing between funding and public, private, and other school options. 

Some students may still qualify for limited services through state or local programs, but these are not the same as a full IEP. Families should review the ESA Parent Handbook and ask providers how assistance services will be delivered and documented.

ESA and sports or extracurricular activities

ESA students are not considered public-school enrollees, so access to district sports or activities depends on state law and local school board policy. Some districts allow it; others do not.

Families should ask their district for written guidance before signing up to avoid breaking ESA rules.

The simplest way to think about ESA

If an option already receives public school funding based on enrollment, ESA likely replaces it.

If an option does not get public funding unless you pay for it, ESA often works with it.

When in doubt, check the latest ESA Parent Handbook, or, to make your life easier, use your LearningSpring account to run through a pre-approval checklist.