This article is intended for vendors interested in applying for the Wyoming ESA Program
Acceptable ESA Expenses
ESA funds can be used for:
- Tuition and fees
- Educational therapies, tutoring, curriculum, and materials
- Online learning programs, dual enrollment courses, career/technical schools
- Testing, technology, contracted public school services
- Summer and after-school programs, transportation fees, and school uniforms
Payment and Refund Process
- Payment Timing: Expenses must be paid after services are provided or products are shipped, except for pre-paid tuition or assessments.
- Marketplace Transactions: Families order through the portal, providers deliver goods/services, and payment is managed through the portal.
- Refunds: Families return items or cancel services, ESPs confirm, and funds are credited to the student account.
- No Cash Refunds: Refunds and rebates must go back to the ESA student’s account.
Compliance and Enforcement
- Suspended ESA Accounts: Families cannot initiate payments and must cover services received before suspension.
- Dispute Resolution: ESPs and parents must resolve disputes directly; the Wyoming ESA Program does not intervene.
- Record-Keeping: ESPs must retain receipts and records of all ESA transactions.
- Misuse Investigations: Formal investigations may be conducted for suspected misuse.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Certification Termination: ESPs may lose certification and be required to repay funds for misrepresentation or failure to provide services.
- Decertification: ESPs who fail to comply with program requirements will be removed from the ESA portal, and parents will be notified.
- Appeals Process: ESPs may appeal decertification decisions.
ESP Operations and Independence
- Independent Providers: ESPs operate independently and are not governed by the state or public school districts.
- No Curriculum Alterations Required: Accepting ESA funds does not require ESPs to modify their practices, creed, admissions policies, or curriculum.