New to ESA? Welcome! We have all been there. Grab your coffee, tea or green smoothie and let’s catch up together on what ESA’s are and how to get one!
ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account- because who wants that tongue twister every time) is a school choice program where your child’s education tax dollars follow them to the educational avenue of your choice.
If you want to know what school choice options are out there be sure to check out my blog: “The New Frontier: How ESAs Transform K-12 Education” or if you want to know the history of ESA’s and how we got here today read “ESAs or STOs? Decoding Arizona’s Education Funding Options”.
I can spend hours and hours discussing how ESA’s have helped my children (perhaps you have had the opportunity to hear me publicly speak… if so you have seen the tears). ESA’s aren’t a lifeline for my children… they have provided them with an educational life! But I digress….
Your child needs an ESA and here’s how to get one!
It takes about 10 minutes to apply for an ESA…. Seriously! If you get yourself good and caffeinated it will go even faster!
First, gather these documents from your home: (This information is taken from the ESA 2025-2026 handbook.)
New applications
All new applications require the following documentation:
- Student birth certificate (color image of entire document, showing all four corners)
- Proof of residency
- Driver’s license or government-issued identification
Acceptable proof of Arizona residency documentation
Primary list of required documents- please submit one document from the list below:
- Utility bill (water, electric, gas, cable, landline phone, internet) issued within the past 60 days. The document MUST show the entire bill (not just the coupon section) and include all four corners of every page. Unopened documents that just show the mailing address through an envelope window are insufficient.
- Physical address verification letter (for rural addresses only) from a fire department or law enforcement agency issued within the past 60 days.
- Physical address verification letter (for Native American Reservation addresses only) from a tribal agency or Chapter House issued within the past 60 days.
- Temporary on-base billeting facility (for military families) issued within the past 60 days.
- Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) enrollment card.
OR
Secondary list of required documents- please submit at least two documents that include your address from the list below only if you are unable to provide a document from the primary document list):
- Social Security Administration documents issued within the past 60 days.
- Veterans Affairs Administration documents issued within the past 60 days.
- Arizona Department of Economic Security documents issued within the past 60 days.
- Arizona Department of Transportation vehicle registration issues within the past 60 days.
- Property tax bill with name issued within the past year. Must be the actual bill - a payment coupon or receipt is not sufficient.
- W-2 OR 1098 OR 1099 tax document issued within one year.
OR
Affidavit of Shared Residence
If applicant is unable to provide documentation as proof of residency in his or her name from the primary or secondary lists provided above, he or she may submit a notarized Affidavit of Shared Residence form.
Now that you had a super fun scavenger hunt throughout your abode (discovered you have 20 macaroni projects) and gathered the documents needed, you are ready to go!
Whew! That was a lot of information to read. But the day is still young, so get your second, third or fourth (I promise I won’t tell because I’m probably already on my fifth) cup of coffee as we enter into the next pile of information. Or if needed, take a quick nap and circle back to me….. I’m not going anywhere, I promise!
Step 1: Go to https://www.azed.gov/esa
Step 2: Click: “Apply now for the 2026-2027 School Year”
Step 3: Create an ADEConnect account if you don’t already have one. If you do then proceed to the “Yes- Take me to the Login” button.
Step 4: Once you have logged in, click the green “Create New Application” button.
Step 5: A popup screen will appear. Mark off that your child is not in a public/charter school. If your child is, you must withdraw them prior to signing up.
Step 6: Follow the prompts and submit any required documentation. When you get to the eligibility category take a look below which helps to provide guidance.
Step 7: Victory dance time! Time to wait for that contract!
Need-to-Know Nuggets
- Once you hit submit, the Department has 30 days to look over your completed application.
- Once your application is complete, watch for an email telling you your quarterly funding. Then it’s contract signing time!
- If you missed a document the first time around, your application will be marked as incomplete. You’ll get an email telling you exactly what’s still needed.
- If your application was incomplete, update with what’s needed, and then the ADE’s review clock resets to 30 days.
- Heads up- if your application was missing something and you don’t upload it within 30 days of being asked, your application will be closed.
During this process you may have some questions. Contact Pathfinder as soon as they come up. You don’t need to feel like you’re on the struggle bus. We are one phone call or text away! support@pathfindercard.com or (833) 348-6330
Eligibility categories- according to the 2025-2026 Handbook pg.10
- Universal
- Preschool student with a disability
- Student identified as having a disability who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) Report, 504 Plan, or Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at time of application.
- Student is a child of a parent who is legally blind, deaf, or hard of hearing.
- Student is a sibling of a current or previous ESA participant.
- Student is a ward of the juvenile court and is residing with a prospective permanent placement. Additionally, there must be a case plan indicating that the student’s current placement is intended to result in adoption or permanent guardianship.
- Student of a parent/legal guardian who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States and is on active duty.
- Student of a parent/legal guardian who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was killed in the line of duty.
***All of these except “Universal” require additional documentation. If you are selecting a category outside of the Universal category please visit https://www.azed.gov/esa/eligibility-requirements to see what additional information is needed for the ADE to process approval for the selected category.
Alas! You have reached the finish line! Give yourself a bubble bath because you have just completed something life changing…. You may just not know it yet!
Till next time…..
Your caffeinated friend,
-Stacey Brown, Pathfinder Founding Mom
Have any questions and want to talk to Stacey directly? Reach out here!
