Understanding the Education Scholarship Account (ESA)

The Mississippi Education Scholarship was enacted in 2015 and provides an opportunity for parents of children with disabilities to receive money to help defray the cost of private school tuition or other specific allowable expenses to educate their child. The ESA program was created by the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act (Mississippi Code Ann. §37-181-1 et. Seq). The program is being administered by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education (OSE).

Who is eligible?

Children who reside in Mississippi, and
Children who have an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) within three (3) years from the date of application. An active IEP is an IEP developed by a public school district where the student was enrolled and received special education or related services outlined in the IEP.
It is important to note that the local school district is responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating (including reevaluating) children who attend eligible schools within the district.
Letter of acceptance or documentation, on school letterhead, verifying the child has been accepted into an eligible private school qualified to provide services to meet the child’s unique learning needs.

Applications are available through our schools and the Mississippi Department of Education Website: https://mdek12.org/specialeducation/esa/.

Click here for more information.

Special Services

Education Scholarship Account

Section 504