Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) continues to administer the routine daily operations of the ESA Program (Expense Receipts, Class Wallet, PreApprovals, Contract Funding, etc.). Please direct inquiries regarding daily operations of the ESA Program to ADE at (602) 364-1969, or create a Help Desk ticket. If you are experiencing technological issues, please email [email protected] and be sure to include your phone number, your application ID, your registered email address, the error message, and any applicable zoho errors. 

 

The Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) is charged with the appeals process for ADE's ESA administrative decisions. Please direct appeal process questions to [email protected]. Please provide a contact phone number in your email and an SBE ESA representative will respond to your questions. SBE staffers are unable to provide legal advice or opinions.

 

Handout - What is the Difference between ADE and SBE?

                Folleto - Juna Estatal de Educación versos Departamento de Educación 

 

¿Necesitas ayuda en español? Envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected].

 

Appeal Process

An ADE administrative decision served on or after January 1, 2021 may be appealed utilizing the process outlined below. Administrative decisions prior to January 1, 2021 must be appealed through ADE.

 

SBE staff may not provide legal advice or opinions regarding an appeal and/or reason for the appeal.

 

Appeal Process Flowchart

Appeal FAQs

                Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre Apelaciones

Hearing vs. Informal Settlement Conference

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) FAQs

 

Appeal Forms

Appeal Checklist - Word

                Appeal Checklist – PDF

                Lista de Verificación de Apelaciones

Appeal Form - Word

                Appeal Form – Fillable PDF

                Appeal Form - Text Document

 

Legal References

Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) Title 15, Chapter 19: Arizona ESA

                §15-2401

                §15-2401.01

                §15-2402

                §15-2403

                §15-2404

                §15-2405

Article 15 Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Rule

            R7-2-1501. Definitions

            R7-2-1501.01 Expanded Qualified Student Definition

            R7-2-1502. General Provisions

            R7-2-1503. Department Responsibilities

            R7-2-1504. Application and Account Activation

            R7-2-1505. Contract Between Parent and Department

            R7-2-1506. Contract Renewal

            R7-2-1507. Use of Funds

            R7-2-1508. Review of Expenses

            R7-2-1509. Misuse of Funds

            R7-2-1510. Corrective Action

            R7-2-1511. Appeals

Public State Board Meetings

October 2020 Presentation Recording

 

2021 ESA Rulemaking

House Bill 2898

September Presentation PowerPoint 

Rule Draft

Feedback Survey - will close on Wednesday, September 22nd at noon

Feedback Survey Tabulated Results

Feedback Survey Complete Responses

Public Hearing Agenda

Public Hearing Instructions

November Presentation PowerPoint

Second Rule Draft

Second Feedback Survey - will close Friday, December 3rd at 5pm

Second Survey Tabulated Results

ESA Rule Draft Being Presented to the Board

 

 

2022 ESA Rulemaking

House Bill 2853

Rule Draft

Parent Forum Presentation

Public Hearing Agenda

Public Hearing Instructions

Survey 1 - Tabulated Results

Survey 1 - Free Responses

Second Rule Draft

Third Rule Draft

Second Parent Forum Presentation

Second Parent Survey Link

Second Survey Tabulated Results

Second Public Hearing Agenda

Second Public Hearing Instructions

ESA Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Unit.


Phone: (602) 364-1969
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.azed.gov/esa

ESAs are administered by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Please contact the ADE Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Unit.


Phone: (602) 364-1969
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.azed.gov/esa

ESA applications are processed by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). The ADE should be able to address questions about your specific ESA application.

The State Board of Education (SBE) does not process ESA applications, so the SBE is unable to answer questions about why your ESA application has been denied. If you would like to appeal a denial or ADE administrative decision, the SBE can process your appeal. Information on the ESA appeals process and associated forms are available on our website here: https://azsbe.az.gov/empowerment-scholarship-account-esa-program.
 
Please contact us at [email protected] with questions.

The State Board of Education (SBE) can only processes ESA appeals of ADE administrative decisions. The ADE program rules, like requiring a utility bill to confirm residency in the state of Arizona, cannot be appealed.

Please email the letter or email to [email protected] for evaluation.

The State Board of Education (SBE) processes ESA appeals. Information on the ESA appeals process and associated forms can be found above. Please contact [email protected] with questions.

The State Board of Education (SBE) annually approves the ESA Parent Handbook and processes ESA appeals of ADE administrative decisions. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) administers the ESA program by processing ESA applications, evaluates expenses, and works with the third party financial firm.