Waylight Parents

Status: Draft. Awaiting reviewer sign-off. Not indexed.

Scholarship and education savings account (ESA) tracker

Some states fund private school, therapy or other education costs for children with disabilities. Deadlines change often. Each row cites the official page we read and the date.

The detailed table covers six programs; the 50-state table below adds more. Rows show only what the cited page said. Where a deadline was not on the page we say so.

Programs, with source and review date
StateProgramWho it covers (per the page)Deadline or windowOfficial sourceLast reviewed
ArizonaEmpowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)Arizona residents. Students with a disability need a current MET/evaluation report, IEP or 504 plan from an Arizona public school; grades 1–12 generally also need 45 days of public-school enrollment (exemptions listed on the page). Preschoolers with a disability age 3+ are eligible without the 45-day rule. Applications are being accepted for 2026–27, with no deadline stated on the page. ESA processes completed applications within 30 days. Service center: 602-364-1969.
Check: Next-year dates not stated on the page.		 Arizona Dept. of Education: ESA eligibility
FloridaFamily Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)Students with disabilities as young as 3. Families can enrol in another public school or receive a personal education savings account. No deadline appears on the state page. Apply through one of the two scholarship funding organizations the state lists: A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation (888-707-2465) or Step Up For Students (877-735-7837).
Check: Deadline NOT verified. Check with the administrators.		 Florida DOE: Family Empowerment Scholarship
IndianaEducation Scholarship Account (ESA)Statewide program for students with disabilities (up to $20,000 per year) and their siblings (up to $8,000 per year). Run by the Indiana Dept. of Education. The 2026–27 application ran March 1 to September 1, 2026, with a priority window of March 1 to April 15.
Check: 2027–28 dates were not on the page when reviewed.		 Indiana DOE: ESA
North CarolinaEducation Student Accounts (ESA+) and Opportunity ScholarshipESA+ funds help North Carolina families pay for education and services for children with disabilities. The Opportunity Scholarship is a separate NCSEAA program. For 2027–28 both applications open on the first Monday in February (February 1, 2027). The Opportunity Scholarship application closes March 1. ESA+ stays open through the first Monday in March (March 1, 2027). You can create a MyPortal account starting in December. Award notices are sent in April.
Check: Dates are from the pages as of the review date; confirm before relying on them.		 NCSEAA: ESA+
NCSEAA: Opportunity Scholarship, how to apply
OhioAutism Scholarship ProgramFamilies first choose a participating Autism Scholarship provider in the state directory, then follow the dashboard instructions to select the scholarship. Eligibility criteria are on the state page. No deadline appears on the pages we read.
Check: Deadline NOT verified. Contact: 614-728-3480 or 877-644-6338 (per the state page).		 Ohio DEW: How to apply
Ohio DEW: Autism Scholarship
TexasTexas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)Private school: $10,474 per child for 2026–27. Students with an IEP on file: up to $30,000. Homeschool: up to $2,000. Priority goes to children with a disability at or below 500% of the federal poverty level; a lottery runs if applications exceed funding. Not accepting applications for 2026–27. The window ran February 4 to March 17, 2026. There is an interest list for 2027–28.
Check: Other sources gave a different closing date; we cite the state page.		 TEFA: Families

All 50 states and DC: where the money may be

Checked 2026-10-30. 19 states have a verified school-choice program for students with disabilities here; the rest are not yet verified, which does not mean there is none. 21 states have at least one specific Medicaid waiver or Katie Beckett/TEFRA program verified; the rest link to the state disability agency.

Funding sources by state
StateESA / scholarship / voucherMedicaid waiversEPSDTEarly intervention
AlabamaCHOOSE Act education savings account
Alabama Dept. of Revenue: CHOOSE Act		Not yet verified. Start with Alabama Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (Early Intervention)
AlaskaNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Alaska Division of Senior and Disabilities ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Alaska Infant Learning Program (Dept. of Health)
ArizonaEmpowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
Arizona Dept. of Education: ESA eligibility		Not yet verified. Start with Arizona DES Division of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES)
ArkansasEducation Freedom Accounts (Arkansas LEARNS)
Arkansas LEARNS: Education Freedom Accounts		Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver (Arkansas DHS: CES Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Arkansas First Connections (DHS)
CaliforniaNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with California Department of Developmental ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)California Early Start (DDS)
ColoradoNot yet verifiedChildren's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver (Colorado HCPF: CES Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Early Intervention Colorado (CDHS)
ConnecticutNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Connecticut Department of Developmental ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Connecticut Birth to Three (Office of Early Childhood)
DelawareNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Delaware Birth to Three Early Intervention (DHSS)
District of ColumbiaNot yet verifiedTEFRA / Katie Beckett (DC DHCF: TEFRA/Katie Beckett)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)DC Strong Start Early Intervention (OSSE)
FloridaFamily Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
Florida Dept. of Education: FES		iBudget Florida (Florida APD: iBudget)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Florida Early Steps (Dept. of Health)
GeorgiaGeorgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS)
Georgia Dept. of Education: GSNS		TEFRA / Katie Beckett (Georgia Medicaid: TEFRA/Katie Beckett)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Georgia Babies Can't Wait (DPH)
HawaiiNot yet verifiedMedicaid I/DD Waiver (Hawaii DOH: Developmental Disabilities Division)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Hawaii Early Intervention Section (DOH)
IdahoNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Idaho DHW Developmental Disabilities ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Idaho Infant Toddler Program (DHW)
IllinoisNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Illinois DHS Division of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Illinois DHS Early Intervention
IndianaEducation Scholarship Account (ESA)
Indiana Dept. of Education: ESA		Not yet verified. Start with Indiana FSSA Division of Disability and Rehabilitative ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Indiana First Steps (FSSA)
IowaStudents First Education Savings Accounts
Iowa Dept. of Education: Students First ESA		HCBS waiver programs (Iowa HHS: Home and Community-Based Services)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Iowa Early ACCESS (Dept. of Education)
KansasNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Kansas Dept. for Aging and Disability ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Kansas Infant-Toddler Services (KDHE)
KentuckyNot yet verifiedMichelle P. Waiver (Kentucky CHFS: Michelle P. Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Kentucky First Steps (CHFS)
LouisianaNot yet verifiedChildren's Choice Waiver (Louisiana Dept. of Health: Children's Choice Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Louisiana EarlySteps (LDH)
MaineNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Maine Office of Aging and Disability ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Maine Child Development Services
MarylandNot yet verifiedAutism Waiver (Maryland Dept. of Health: Autism Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MSDE)
MassachusettsNot yet verifiedChildren's Autism Waiver Program (Mass.gov DDS: Children's Autism Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Massachusetts Early Intervention (DPH)
MichiganNot yet verifiedChildren's Waiver Program (CWP) (Michigan MDHHS: Children's Waiver Program)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Michigan Early On
MinnesotaNot yet verifiedTEFRA option (Minnesota DHS: TEFRA)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Minnesota Help Me Grow / Early Intervention (MDE)
MississippiEducation Scholarship Account (Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act)
Mississippi Dept. of Education: ESA		Not yet verified. Start with Mississippi Department of Mental HealthYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Mississippi First Steps (MSDH)
MissouriMOScholars
Missouri State Treasurer: MOScholars		DMH developmental disabilities waivers (Missouri DMH: HCBS waivers)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Missouri First Steps (DESE)
MontanaSpecial Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account
Montana OPI: Education Savings Account		Not yet verified. Start with Montana DPHHS Developmental Disabilities ProgramYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Montana Part C Early Intervention (DPHHS)
NebraskaNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Nebraska DHHS Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Nebraska Early Development Network
NevadaNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Nevada Aging and Disability Services DivisionYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Nevada Early Intervention Services (ADSD)
New HampshireEducation Freedom Accounts
NH Dept. of Education: Education Freedom Accounts		Not yet verified. Start with New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)New Hampshire Family Centered Early Supports and Services
New JerseyNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with New Jersey Division of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)New Jersey Early Intervention System (DOH)
New MexicoNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with New Mexico DOH Developmental Disabilities Supports DivisionYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)New Mexico Family Infant Toddler Program (ECECD)
New YorkNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with New York Office for People With Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)New York Early Intervention Program (DOH)
North CarolinaEducation Student Accounts (ESA+)
NCSEAA: ESA+		NC Innovations Waiver (NC Medicaid: Innovations Waiver)
CAP/C (NC Medicaid: CAP/C)		Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (Be Early NC)
North DakotaNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with North Dakota HHS Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)North Dakota Early Intervention (HHS)
OhioAutism Scholarship Program
Ohio Dept. of Education: Autism Scholarship		Not yet verified. Start with Ohio Department of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Ohio Early Intervention (DODD)
OklahomaParental Choice Tax Credit
Oklahoma Tax Commission: Parental Choice Tax Credit		TEFRA (Oklahoma Health Care Authority: TEFRA)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Oklahoma SoonerStart
OregonNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities ServicesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Oregon EI/ECSE (ODE)
PennsylvaniaNot yet verifiedConsolidated Waiver (Pennsylvania DHS: Consolidated Waiver)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Pennsylvania Early Intervention (DHS)
Rhode IslandNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Rhode Island BHDDHYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Rhode Island Early Intervention (EOHHS)
South CarolinaEducation Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)
SC Dept. of Education: ESTF FAQ		Not yet verified. Start with South Carolina Dept. of Disabilities and Special NeedsYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)South Carolina BabyNet (DHHS)
South DakotaNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with South Dakota DHS Division of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)South Dakota Birth to 3 (DOE)
TennesseeIndividualized Education Account (IEA)
Tennessee Dept. of Education: IEA		Not yet verified. Start with Tennessee Dept. of Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Tennessee Early Intervention System (DIDD)
TexasTexas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)
Texas Education Freedom Accounts: families		Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) (Texas HHS: MDCP)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Texas Early Childhood Intervention (HHSC)
UtahNot yet verifiedMedically Complex Children's Waiver (Utah Medicaid: MCCW)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Utah Baby Watch Early Intervention
VermontNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Vermont Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DAIL)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Vermont Children's Integrated Services (DCF)
VirginiaNot yet verifiedDevelopmental Disability (DD) Waivers (Virginia DMAS: Waivers)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Virginia Infant & Toddler Connection (DBHDS)
WashingtonNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Washington Developmental Disabilities Administration (DSHS)Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Washington Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (DCYF)
West VirginiaHope Scholarship
West Virginia Hope Scholarship		Not yet verified. Start with West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral HealthYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)West Virginia Birth to Three (DoHS)
WisconsinSpecial Needs Scholarship Program
Wisconsin DPI: Special Needs Scholarship		Katie Beckett Medicaid (Wisconsin DHS: Katie Beckett Medicaid)
Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver (Wisconsin DHS: CLTS Waiver)		Yes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program (DHS)
WyomingNot yet verifiedNot yet verified. Start with Wyoming Division of Developmental DisabilitiesYes, for children on Medicaid (Medicaid.gov: EPSDT)Wyoming Early Intervention (DOH)

How to use this page

Last reviewed: