Student Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Iowa’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program, students must meet the following age-based criteria:
Minimum Age:
- Students must be at least 5 years old on or before September 15 of the school year they are applying for.
Maximum Age:
- Students must be under 20 years old at the start of the school year to remain eligible.
These age guidelines help determine whether a student can participate in the ESA program for a given school year.
Side Note:
- The cutoff for using ESA funding will be whenever a student finishes 12th grade or turns 20, whichever comes first.
- If a student turns 20 during the school year, their ESA funding will end on the day of their 20th birthday—even if the academic year is still in progress.
Quick Summary
- Eligible Age Range: Ages 5 (by September 15) through 19
- Ineligible: Students who turn 5 after September 15 or who are 20 years old or older
- Funding Stops: On the student’s 20th birthday or when they complete 12th grade, whichever comes first
If you have questions about your student’s eligibility, please reach out to our support team for assistance.