Can I buy a laptop or tablet with Empowerment Scholarship Account?
With conditions. Calculators, computers, laptops, tablets, microscopes, telescopes, printers covered; entertainment devices (TVs, phones, consoles) excluded.
What you can buy with Empowerment Scholarship Account
16 kinds of expenses, each checked against the program's published rules as PencilGo read them on 2026-09-25. Pick one to see its vendors, or type an item to check it.
Is it covered by Empowerment Scholarship Account?
Type what you want to buy, for example a product name, a class or a service. We check it against the program's published expense rules and show the rule.
- Try:
Every category, with the Arizona rule
Covered: usually coveredDepends: covered with conditionsNot covered: usually not coveredNot stated: not stated by the program
- Covered
Private school tuition & fees
Tuition/fees and required textbooks at a qualified nongovernmental K-12 school (or preschool for disabled pupils) covered..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Online school & virtual courses
Tuition/fees for a nonpublic online learning program covered, but family/multi-user subscriptions need an itemized per-student receipt..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Curriculum, textbooks & workbooks
Curricula covered; supplemental material tied to a course may require curriculum documentation (student name, objectives, lesson plan)..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Reading books & e-books
Books (incl. audio/digital), coloring books and magazines are covered as general education supplemental material..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
School supplies & consumables
Broad list of general-education supplies (paper, art supplies, board games, school supplies) covered; furniture items size/quantity capped..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Computers, tablets, software & internet
Calculators, computers, laptops, tablets, microscopes, telescopes, printers covered; entertainment devices (TVs, phones, consoles) excluded..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Tutoring
Tutoring/teaching services covered if the individual/business is accredited by a state, regional or national organization..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Classes, co-ops & camps
Public-school classes and sports/educational camps covered; camp travel, overnight accommodations and food are not allowable..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Music, art & sports lessons
Sports league/camp enrollment covered (excluding travel, lodging, food). Individual gym/PE membership OK; family memberships excluded..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Educational therapies
Educational therapies from a licensed/accredited provider covered only for students with a qualifying disability (IEP/MET/504/IEE on file)..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Testing, exams & evaluations
Nationally standardized achievement tests, AP exams, and college admissions exams (ACT/SAT) plus prep courses are covered..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
College courses, dual enrollment & CTE
Tuition/fees/textbooks at an eligible Arizona community college, university, or accredited in-state/online postsecondary school covered..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Transportation
Public transportation (commuter pass, rideshare, bus, vanpool) within Arizona, between home and qualified school, is covered..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
School uniforms
Uniforms covered only if purchased from or through the qualified school..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Field trips, museums & educational travel
Single tickets to educational venues (zoos, museums, plays) covered as supplemental material; broader trip travel/lodging is not..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Desks, instruments & learning equipment
Microscopes, telescopes and a student desk/chair/bookcase are covered, with size caps (e.g. bookcase ≤40 sq ft)..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25.
Empowerment Scholarship Account explicitly excludes: Entertainment devices (TVs, phones, game consoles, home theater/audio); Gift cards; Amusement/theme/water park tickets; Non-approved therapies (chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, nutritionist, Reiki, exams); Motorized vehicles/go-karts/scooters; Swimming pools, saunas, trampolines >10ft; Household furnishings/appliances; Weapons/ammunition (narrow archery exception).
Questions Arizona families ask
Can I buy curriculum, workbooks and printable worksheets with Empowerment Scholarship Account?
With conditions. Curricula covered; supplemental material tied to a course may require curriculum documentation (student name, objectives, lesson plan).
Does Empowerment Scholarship Account pay for music, art or sports lessons?
With conditions. Sports league/camp enrollment covered (excluding travel, lodging, food). Individual gym/PE membership OK; family memberships excluded.
Does Empowerment Scholarship Account pay for tutoring?
Yes. Tutoring/teaching services covered if the individual/business is accredited by a state, regional or national organization.
Next
Before using ESA funds. Provider approval or a marketplace listing does not approve every product or confirm that a funded purchase can be made. Check Empowerment Scholarship Account's current rules and payment route before buying; a direct card purchase does not guarantee reimbursement. This hub is educational information, not legal, tax or eligibility advice. PencilGo is independent of state agencies.