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Key Dates for the Iowa Students First ESA

This article is for Iowa families to understand the important dates and deadlines for the 2026–27 Students First ESA Program.

Date

Milestone

Details

April 16, 2026

Iowa ESA Applications Open

Parents and guardians can begin applying for an ESA at 8:00 a.m.

June 30, 2026

ESA Applications Close

The deadline to submit an ESA application for the 2026-27 school year is 11:59 p.m.

September 30, 2026

Enrollment & Payment Deadline

To receive and retain ESA funds, each participant must (1) be attending an accredited nonpublic school in Iowa, and (2) pay tuition and fees through the ESA portal by 11:59 p.m.
Failure to complete this step will make the student ineligible to receive and retain ESA funds for the 2026-27 school year.

October 1, 2026

Eligibility Finalized

Any student with an approved ESA application who is not attending an Iowa accredited nonpublic school or who did not pay fall tuition and fees through the ESA portal by September 30, 2026
are determined to be ineligible.

December 1, 2026

Spring ESA Funds Available

Spring ESA funds are available.


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February 1, 2027

Spring Tuition & Fees Deadline

Parents must pay spring tuition and fees through the ESA
portal by 11:59 p.m.


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Additional program dates for the 2026–27 school year will be shared as they are confirmed. Please check back here for updates or contact Odyssey Support if you have questions.

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