The Wyoming Education Savings Account (ESA) program provides eligible families with state-funded accounts to customize their child's learning experience. Established in 2024 and revised in 2025 under the Wyoming Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act.
Who Can Participate?
An ESA Student is a child participating in the ESA program and meeting the eligibility criteria outlined in Wyoming Statute 21-2-904(a). A Parent in the Wyoming ESA Program is a Wyoming resident who is the natural or adoptive parent, a court-appointed guardian, a legal custodian, or a court-ordered primary legal custodian.
Pre-Kindergarten ESA Eligibility
Age Requirement: The child must be 4 years old on or before August 1 of the enrolling year.
Residency Requirement: The student must be a Wyoming resident.
Program Duration: This is a one-year-only ESA program for kindergarten readiness.
Income Qualification: Families must have an income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Income Determination: Based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) before taxes or deductions, using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines.
Eligible Facilities: A qualified school providing a pre-kindergarten program. Unlicensed providers require WDE approval.
K-12 ESA Eligibility
Kindergarten: The child must be 5 years old by August 1 of the enrolling year.
Maximum Age: The student must be under 21 as of August 1 and cannot have graduated high school or obtained a GED.
Residency Requirement: The student must be a Wyoming resident.
Public School Restriction: Students cannot be enrolled in a public school while participating in the ESA program.
Income Qualification: No income restrictions apply for K-12 ESA students.
Education Service Providers (ESPs) & Restrictions
Who can be an ESP? Private schools, tutors, educational centers, and other specialized education providers.
Family Member Restriction: Immediate family members (parents, step-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, step-siblings, half-siblings, and first cousins) cannot be an ESA-funded ESP.
How ESA Funds Are Used
ESA funds may be used for: Tuition & Fees (private schools, online programs, career/technical schools), Educational Therapies & Tutoring Services, Curriculum & Educational Materials, College Courses (Dual Enrollment), Testing & Assessments, Technology (educational devices & software), Public School Contracted Services, Summer & After-School Programs, Transportation Fees, and School Uniforms.
Annual ESA Allocation
Each ESA student receives $7,000 per year.
Funds are deposited in equal quarterly installments starting July 1.
Tuition Payment Process
The family selects a school.
The school confirms enrollment and tuition amount.
Payments are managed through the ESA portal.
Refunds & Suspensions
If an ESA student does not enroll after a partial tuition payment, the school must refund the payment within 30 days.
Suspended ESA Accounts: Families cannot initiate payments during suspension and must cover any payments due before suspension.
Compliance & Auditing
Maintain receipts and records of all transactions made using ESA funds. The WDE may request documentation during routine audits.
ESA student account expenditures will be randomly audited to ensure that ESA funds are used appropriately. Account holders are required to provide any requested documentation regarding expenses.
If a parent intentionally misuses ESA funds, the account will be terminated, and the funds must be repaid.
Reporting Misuse or Misrepresentation
Any person may anonymously submit information regarding misuse of account funds or misrepresentation concerning the program.
Individuals may notify the WDE of any alleged violation by an account holder or education service provider.
The WDE has established an anonymous electronic form and a telephone hotline for reporting.
Dispute Resolution
Parents and ESPs must resolve disputes directly — the Wyoming ESA Program does not intervene.
For more details, visit: edu.wyoming.gov/esa