Real homeschool families share exactly how they use ESA funds in Arizona ($7,000 ESA), Florida ($8,000 PEP), Utah ($8,000 Fits All), and Iowa ($7,988 Students First).Complete budget breakdowns, vendor lists, and application success tips from each state.
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) • $7,000 Per Student
3 children ages 7, 9, and 12 • Total Arizona ESA: $21,000/year
"We transitioned from traditional homeschooling to Arizona ESA in 2023. The $21,000 for our three kids has completely transformed our ability to provide quality education. We can now afford online classes through Outschool, hire a math tutor for our daughter with dyscalculia, and attend our local homeschool co-op. Before Arizona ESA, we were piecing together free resources. Now we have access to the best curriculum available."
- Maria Martinez, Arizona homeschool parent since 2019
| Arizona ESA Expense Category | Vendor/Provider | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Curriculum (3 kids) | Time4Learning & Oak Meadow | $2,400 |
| Math Tutoring | Local certified teacher | $3,600 |
| Online Classes | Outschool | $4,500 |
| Co-op Tuition | Desert Homeschool Co-op | $3,000 |
| Music Lessons | Private instructor | $2,400 |
| Art Supplies & Materials | Various vendors | $900 |
| Educational Field Trips | Museums, science center | $600 |
| Testing & Assessment | Stanford Achievement Test | $300 |
| TOTAL ARIZONA ESA SPENT | $17,700 | |
| Remaining (Rolled to 2025) | $3,300 |
The Martinez family maximizes their Arizona ESA by using ClassWallet approved vendor marketplace for direct payments, avoiding reimbursement delays. They budget carefully to save funds for next year advanced courses as their children enter high school. Arizona ESA funds rollover - a unique advantage.
Register at ESA.AZed.gov with basic family information
Birth certificate, proof of Arizona residency, prior school records
Notarized commitment to homeschool for one year
Typically 2-4 weeks, funds available within 30 days
Personalized Education Program (PEP) • $8,000 Per Student
2 children ages 8 and 14 • Total Florida PEP: $16,000/year
"Florida PEP has been a game-changer for our family. With $16,000 for both kids, we can afford gymnastics training and robotics programs that would have been impossible before. The extracurricular coverage is unique to Florida - we use ESA funds for my daughter competitive gymnastics and my son FIRST Robotics team. The annual testing requirement is easy, and progress monitoring keeps us accountable."
- Tom Chen, Florida PEP parent since 2022
| Florida PEP Expense Category | Vendor/Provider | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Online Curriculum (2 kids) | Time4Learning & IXL | $1,800 |
| Gymnastics Training | Tampa Bay Gymnastics Academy | $4,800 |
| Robotics Program | FIRST Robotics & equipment | $2,400 |
| Science Labs | Apologia curriculum + supplies | $800 |
| Writing Tutoring | Institute for Excellence in Writing | $1,200 |
| Annual Testing | Stanford Achievement Test (2) | $400 |
| Summer Camp | STEM summer program | $1,500 |
| Educational Technology | iPad & learning apps | $900 |
| TOTAL SPENT | $13,800 | |
| Remaining (Q4 spending) | $2,200 |
Florida PEP unique advantage is extracurricular coverage. The Chen family strategically uses 45% of their budget for sports and STEM enrichment while keeping core curriculum costs low with affordable online platforms. This balance creates well-rounded education experience.
Visit Step Up For Students portal and create account
Proof of Florida residency and student birth certificate
Usually 3-4 weeks, funding available immediately after approval
Utah Fits All Scholarship • $8,000 Per Student
4 children ages 6, 9, 11, and 14 • Total Utah ESA: $32,000/year
"As a large homeschool family, Utah $32,000 for four kids has been life-changing. Our son with sensory processing disorder receives occupational therapy covered by ESA funds. All four kids attend two different co-ops for science labs and music programs. We use Christian curriculum (Abeka and BJU Press) which is fully approved. The application was straightforward, and Utah requirement flexibility makes this program perfect for families like ours."
- Sarah Williams, Utah homeschool parent since 2015
| Utah ESA Expense Category | Vendor/Provider | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum (4 kids) | Abeka & BJU Press | $3,600 |
| Advanced Math | Art of Problem Solving | $1,800 |
| Occupational Therapy | Pediatric therapy center | $6,400 |
| Co-op Tuition (2 co-ops) | Utah Valley Homeschool Co-op | $4,800 |
| Music Lessons (4 kids) | Private instructors | $4,800 |
| Science Kits & Labs | Home Science Tools | $1,200 |
| Foreign Language Tutoring | Spanish tutor | $2,400 |
| Educational Memberships | Museums, planetarium, zoo | $800 |
| Books & Literature | Various bookstores | $1,400 |
| TOTAL SPENT | $27,200 | |
| Remaining | $4,800 |
Large families benefit most from Utah ESA. The Williams family receives $32,000 annually - more than most states individual family cap. They maximize savings by sharing curriculum between siblings and using group rates at co-ops. Utah explicit co-op approval is a major advantage.
File homeschool intent with Utah State Board of Education
Complete online application at Utah ESA portal
Approval within 2-3 weeks, funds distributed quarterly
Students First ESA • $7,988 Per Student
3 children ages 7, 10, and 12 • Total Iowa ESA: $23,964/year
"We were among the first Iowa homeschool families to receive Students First ESA funds. $23,964 for three kids has allowed us to use Catholic curriculum from Seton Home Study, join St. Augustine Co-op, and get dyslexia therapy for our youngest. The unique transportation reimbursement helps cover gas to co-op and therapy appointments. As Iowa Catholics, having religious curriculum explicitly approved is wonderful."
- Mary Kowalski, Iowa homeschool parent since 2020
| Iowa ESA Expense Category | Vendor/Provider | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Curriculum (3 kids) | Seton Home Study School | $2,700 |
| Co-op Tuition | St. Augustine Homeschool Co-op | $3,600 |
| Dyslexia Therapy | Orton-Gillingham certified tutor | $5,200 |
| Math Supplementation | Math-U-See complete sets | $900 |
| Science Curriculum | Apologia + lab supplies | $600 |
| Art Classes | Local art studio | $1,800 |
| Physical Education | YMCA family membership | $800 |
| Educational Software | Reading Eggs, Typing Club | $400 |
| Books & Literature | Various vendors | $1,200 |
| Transportation (co-op, classes) | Mileage reimbursement | $900 |
| TOTAL SPENT | $18,100 | |
| Remaining | $5,864 |
Iowa transportation reimbursement is unique among ESA programs. The Kowalski family tracks mileage to co-op (45 miles round-trip weekly) and therapy appointments, receiving $900 annually. This makes rural homeschooling more accessible. Iowa explicit approval of religious curriculum benefits many Catholic and Christian families.
Visit Iowa ESA portal and create parent account
Iowa residency proof, student birth certificates
Processing 2-4 weeks, funds available quarterly
| Feature | Arizona | Florida | Utah | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award Amount | $7,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $7,988 |
| Testing Required? | No | Yes (Annual) | Optional | Not specified |
| Funds Rollover? | Yes | No | No | TBD |
| Income Limits? | None | None | None | None |
| Co-op Funding? | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Therapy Services? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sports/Extracurricular? | Limited | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Unique Advantage | Funds rollover | Highest award | Simple process | Transportation $ |
Review your state's eligibility rules, required documents, and timelines so you can submit a complete application.
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