Who can qualify?
Any Iowa-resident K–12 student enrolled full-time in an accredited Iowa nonpublic school may apply, regardless of income.
PencilGo
Iowa · State guide · 2026–27
Can ESA cover this?
Active and universal; 2026–27 applications are closed. Every purchase is reviewed by the program. Reviewed September 22, 2026.
Students First ESAIowa ESA
Is it covered by Students First Education Savings 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.
Your state's program makes the final decision. A purchase made with your own card may not be paid back.
Students First ESA vendors in Iowa
By what your child needs. Before paying any of them, check the exact purchase above.
Tutoring · 2 listed
Private school or microschool · 259 listed
Absolute Reading and Dyslexia Tutoring
Absolute Reading and Dyslexia Tutoring appears on the public CHOOSE Act Alabama provider list. Confirm its current of…
Des MoinesAcorns & Oaks Christian Academy
Acorns & Oaks Christian Academy appears in a public official accredited nonpublic school directory, not ESA participa…
PerryAll Saints Catholic School
All Saints Catholic School appears in a public official accredited nonpublic school directory, not ESA participant ro…
DavenportAll Saints School
All Saints School appears in a public official accredited nonpublic school directory, not ESA participant roster date…
Cedar RapidsCurriculum · 5 listed
Write by Number
Write by Number: Student Book The Write by Number: Student Book contains all your students will need from kindergarte…
Alpha Omega Publications
Alpha Omega Publications appears in a public official program roster dated 2025-09-22. PencilGo has not verified curr…
Rock RapidsCalvert Education
Calvert Education appears in a public official program roster dated 2025-09-22. PencilGo has not verified current pro…
Rock RapidsHymns Illustrated
TEXTBOOKS, CURRICULUM, OR EDUCATIONAL ITEMS
KnoxvilleIowa funding and program facts
Per student, 2026–27
$8,148 per student for 2026-27
Pays vendors through
Odyssey
PencilGo status
Participation unconfirmed
Vendors listed
PencilGo in Iowa
Participation unconfirmed
We have no confirmed PencilGo provider approval or purchase route for this program.
PencilGo status reviewed September 23, 2026.
Browse Iowa vendor listingsProvider participation does not approve every product. Confirm the exact offering and payment process before purchasing. Direct card purchases may not be reimbursed.
Eligibility, application, and payment details
How much is it?
$8,148 per student for 2026–27, half available in fall and half in spring. Tuition and fees are paid before other qualified expenses.
When do I apply?
The 2026–27 window closed June 30. Approved families must complete the fall tuition payment through the portal by September 30, 2026 to keep the award.
What the funds may cover
- Accredited nonpublic-school tuition and fees
- Textbooks, curriculum and software
- Computers, tablets and approved technology
- Tutoring, therapies and disability-related materials
The exact item still must satisfy the program’s current rules and purchasing process.
See every category with the Students First Education Savings Account rule, and check a specific item
Worksheets, printables and workbooks with Students First Education Savings Account
Before you act
Purchases use the Odyssey marketplace; outside reimbursement is not available. Approval does not replace admission to a private school.
- Program administrator
- Iowa Department of Education / Odyssey
- Guide reviewed
- September 22, 2026
Verify before applying or spending
Official Iowa sources
Program pages can change after this guide is reviewed. These links are the source of truth.
A safe order for families
Do not buy first and assume reimbursement later.
- 1
Confirm the child’s eligibility
Use the official program—not a vendor page—to check residency, enrollment, income or disability requirements.
- 2
Wait for the actual award
Eligibility, an application, and a funded account are three different stages.
- 3
Verify the exact expense and payment route
Provider approval does not automatically approve every product. Save invoices and required documentation.
PencilGo is free for your family
Daily sheet plans, printable worksheets and workbooks, scan checking, and parent progress reports are free. No card or ESA funds needed.
Questions Iowa families ask
Answered from the official Students First Education Savings Account sources linked above.
Who qualifies for Students First Education Savings Account?
Any Iowa-resident K–12 student enrolled full-time in an accredited Iowa nonpublic school may apply, regardless of income.
How much funding is available in Iowa?
$8,148 per student for 2026–27, half available in fall and half in spring. Tuition and fees are paid before other qualified expenses.
When can families apply?
The 2026–27 window closed June 30. Approved families must complete the fall tuition payment through the portal by September 30, 2026 to keep the award.
Where can I find ESA vendors in Iowa?
Iowa Department of Education / Odyssey keeps the official list for Students First Education Savings Account; start at Iowa Department of Education: Students First ESA. PencilGo's Iowa vendor directory lists vendors that report serving the program, with how to pay each one.
What can Students First Education Savings Account funds cover?
Accredited nonpublic-school tuition and fees; Textbooks, curriculum and software; Computers, tablets and approved technology; Tutoring, therapies and disability-related materials. Purchases use the Odyssey marketplace; outside reimbursement is not available. Approval does not replace admission to a private school.
Independent information
PencilGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Iowa, Iowa Department of Education / Odyssey, or any scholarship administrator. This page is educational information, not legal, tax, or eligibility advice. Program administrators make all final decisions.