Can I buy a laptop or tablet with Education Scholarship Account?
With conditions. Computer hardware/software/tech devices allowed only if school, tutor, provider, or doctor verifies in writing they are essential for the student's goals.
What you can buy with Education 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 Education 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 Mississippi rule
Covered: usually coveredDepends: covered with conditionsNot covered: usually not coveredNot stated: not stated by the program
- Covered
Private school tuition & fees
Tuition and/or fees at an eligible (accredited nonpublic) school are allowable; additional fees only if they directly impact educational needs..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Online school & virtual courses
Tuition and/or fees for online learning programs or courses are an explicitly allowable expense..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Curriculum, textbooks & workbooks
Payment for purchase of curriculum, including supplemental materials required by the curriculum, is allowable..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Reading books & e-books
Textbooks, and textbooks related to dual-enrollment postsecondary coursework, are allowable..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
School supplies & consumables
Capped at no more than $50 per year in consumable supplies necessary for educational services, therapies, classroom activities and tutoring..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Computers, tablets, software & internet
Computer hardware/software/tech devices allowed only if school, tutor, provider, or doctor verifies in writing they are essential for the student's goals..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Tutoring
Payment to a tutor is allowable only if the tutor is state/regional/nationally certified or licensed; student cannot be homeschooled or public-enrolled..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Classes, co-ops & camps
Covered only as services provided by a public school (individual classes and extracurricular programs); standalone camps are not addressed..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not stated
Music, art & sports lessons
Not addressed in the enumerated 14-item Allowable Expenses list or the FAQ..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Educational therapies
Educational services/therapies from a licensed or certified practitioner, incl. paraprofessionals/aides, are allowable; student can't be homeschooled/public-enrolled..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Testing, exams & evaluations
Fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced tests, AP exams, and college/university admission exams are allowable..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
College courses, dual enrollment & CTE
Postsecondary tuition/fees/textbooks allowable for a high-school student dual enrolled; not allowable after high school graduation..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Transportation
Fees for transportation to and from an educational service provider, paid to a fee-for-service transportation provider, are allowable..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not covered
School uniforms
Not among the 14 enumerated allowable expenses; the Attachment B list states funds 'can only' be used for the listed items..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not covered
Field trips, museums & educational travel
Not among the 14 enumerated allowable expenses in MDE's exhaustive Attachment B list..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not covered
Desks, instruments & learning equipment
General equipment (furniture, instruments) is not among the 14 enumerated categories; only verified computer/tech devices and a surety bond are named..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25.
Education Scholarship Account explicitly excludes: cash or cash-equivalent items (gift cards, store credit, refunds, rebates) to family; most out-of-state school tuition; enrollment in a home-instruction program while receiving ESA funds; tutoring/therapy for a homeschooled or public-school-enrolled student.
Questions Mississippi families ask
Can I buy curriculum, workbooks and printable worksheets with Education Scholarship Account?
Yes. Payment for purchase of curriculum, including supplemental materials required by the curriculum, is allowable.
Does Education Scholarship Account pay for music, art or sports lessons?
Education Scholarship Account's published guidance does not state whether music, art and sports lessons are eligible. Ask the program before buying.
Does Education Scholarship Account pay for tutoring?
With conditions. Payment to a tutor is allowable only if the tutor is state/regional/nationally certified or licensed; student cannot be homeschooled or public-enrolled.
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 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.