This article is intended for Iowa families to understand the important dates and deadlines for the 2025–26 Students First ESA Program.
- April 16, 2025 – ESA Applications Open
Parents/Guardians can begin applying for an ESA at 8:00 a.m. - June 30, 2025 – ESA Applications Close
The deadline to submit an ESA application for the 2025-26 school year is 11:59 p.m. - July 15, 2025 – Fall ESA Funds Available
Fall ESA funds will be available on this date or 30 days after your application is verified and approved—whichever is later. - September 30, 2025 – 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 2025-26 school year.
- October 1, 2025 – 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, 2025 are determined to be ineligible. - December 1, 2025 – Spring ESA Funds Available
Spring ESA funds are available. - February 1, 2026 – Spring Tuition & Fees Deadline
Parents must pay spring tuition and fees through the ESA portal by 11:59 p.m.