Welcome fellow Homeschoolers…..
(Yes, it does sound like the start of an alien encounter).
Some folks think homeschoolers are an alien invasion; and honestly, with nine years of homeschooling under my belt, they’re not entirely wrong. Our tables are permanent landing zones for books, science projects, and way too much acrylic paint. But here’s the secret: we get the best part of the day with our kids.
Now, maybe you’ve just discovered ESAs (a way to put your child’s education tax dollars at your fingertips) or maybe the whole thing is brand new to you.
The only big difference between “Classical Homeschoolers” and “ESA Home Educators” is a magical paper called an affidavit.
In Arizona, as a homeschooler without an ESA, we get the privilege to file an affidavit. This single piece of paper tells Arizona, “Don’t worry! We’ve got this!” The state immediately becomes hands off- no tests, no reporting. Just good ol’ fashioned freedom to educate and raise our kids the way we want…. because they are our children after all.
Enter ESAs
Enter ESAs. I have had many conversations with Moms who are genuinely concerned about the government “having their finger tips” in their child’s education. Let’s pull up a chair and talk this through. Here are some quick points to help ease your mind:
- If you don’t want the government to know that you are teaching a religious class, you don’t need to submit your purchase to the ESA department. You have the freedom to select what you want to submit or not.
- There is the same freedom with ESAs - no testing, no reporting. You have the power to teach whatever you want, whenever you want. You can still move at your child’s pace. No additional requirements.
- You don’t give up any rights, if anything you gain rights- the right to have access to your child’s education tax dollars to use for their education.
- Your child can still walk at graduation with the AFHE program. You still homeschool, just differently.
- The freedom and access to other activities, programs, and services that have helped my children has been beyond transformative for their education. Trust me, there is no negative to this.
- If you for any reason are unhappy with the ESA program you can leave that very minute and resubmit your affidavit. You are not bound to ESA for your child’s entire education (although trust me, you will want to use it for its entirety).
- Bonus: whatever funds you have left over after graduation can be used towards a trade school or college for up to four years.
Okay, now that we’ve answered all the tough questions lingering in the back of your mind, let’s discuss how to pull that already filed affidavit, because that needs to disappear within 30 days of applying for an ESA.
Prepare yourself…. This next step is wilder than assembling IKEA furniture without instructions!
Look up your county from the list below. Most have a withdrawal form ready to go—easy peasy. If you happen to be in one of the three counties that skipped that step, don’t worry! Pathfinder made a simple, step-by-step guide just for you. We’ll walk you through it so you’re never stuck guessing. And if you have questions along the way, just reach out! We’re here to help!
- Maricopa County - Withdrawal Form
- Pima County- Withdraw Form
- Greenlee County - Process to Withdraw
- Apache County - Withdrawal Form
- Cochise County - Withdrawal Form
- Mohave County - Withdrawal Form
- Yavapai County - Withdrawal Form
- Pinal County - Withdrawal Form
- Navajo County - Withdrawal Form
- Coconino County - Withdrawal Form
- La Paz County - Process to Withdraw
- Gila County - Process to Withdraw
- Yuma County - Withdrawal Form
- Graham County - Withdrawal Form
- Santa Cruz County - Withdrawal Form
Next step: applying for an ESA for your kiddo! Check out my blog, “Fast Pass to Your Child’s ESA” for a play-by-play of how to zip through the application process! I promise it’s more fun than waiting in the DMV line with a toddler.
Until next time,
-Stacey Brown, Pathfinder Founding Mom
Have any questions and want to talk to Stacey directly? Reach out here!
