Answered from the official Education Scholarship Account sources linked in the Mississippi guide, then the questions every ESA family asks.
The ESA serves Mississippi students with a qualifying public-school IEP and acceptance at an eligible private school. Separate programs serve eligible students with dyslexia or speech-language impairment.
ESA is a quarterly reimbursement program. MDE’s latest public FAQ shows a 2025–26 maximum of $8,007; the current page does not state a definitive 2026–27 maximum.
The 2026–27 ESA form is posted and applications are accepted during the school year. Awards are first-come, first-served until funds run out, then eligible applicants are waitlisted.
Mississippi Department of Education keeps the official list for Education Scholarship Account; start at Mississippi DOE: ESA. PencilGo's Mississippi vendor directory lists vendors that report serving the program, with how to pay each one.
Eligible-school tuition and academic fees; Textbooks, curriculum and limited supplies; Certified tutoring and licensed therapies; Testing and dual-enrollment costs. A student cannot receive these three disability scholarships simultaneously. Confirm the current award directly with MDE before changing enrollment.
It depends on the state, but most programs cover private-school tuition, curriculum and textbooks, tutoring, testing, educational therapies, and school supplies, each with conditions. Every guide lists what its program covers and links the official rules.
Each program keeps its own list on the administrator's site, linked from every state guide. PencilGo's vendor directory groups vendors by state and shows how each one is paid; listings are vendor-reported until PencilGo checks the program's records.
In 17 of 18 programs, yes: curriculum, workbooks and printable worksheets are instructional materials, the category ESA programs cover most often, usually on condition that the purchase goes through the program's platform or an approved provider.
Through the program's platform: ClassWallet or Odyssey in most states, direct reimbursement in a few. The program reviews the purchase before the vendor is paid, so do not buy first and assume reimbursement.
In some states. Each guide shows PencilGo's current status for that program and, where a purchase is possible, the exact steps. Provider participation never approves every product, so confirm the plan in the program before buying.
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 Education 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.