Can I buy a laptop or tablet with Education Scholarship Trust Fund?
With conditions. Computers/laptops/iPads up to $1,500; monitors/printers up to $300; one of each device every 2 years; drives $50 max each
What you can buy with Education Scholarship Trust Fund
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 Trust Fund?
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 South Carolina rule
Covered: usually coveredDepends: covered with conditionsNot covered: usually not coveredNot stated: not stated by the program
- Covered
Private school tuition & fees
Tuition and fees at an approved independent school.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Online school & virtual courses
Tuition/fees for approved nonpublic online education service provider or course (math, English, science, etc.).
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Curriculum, textbooks & workbooks
Curriculum, textbooks and student workbooks by subject (math, English, science, social studies, language, art, music).
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Reading books & e-books
Reading books explicitly listed as an approved expense.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
School supplies & consumables
ClassWallet Marketplace includes school supplies alongside technology devices.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Computers, tablets, software & internet
Computers/laptops/iPads up to $1,500; monitors/printers up to $300; one of each device every 2 years; drives $50 max each.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Tutoring
Tutoring by subject (math, English, science, social studies, language, art, music).
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Classes, co-ops & camps
Individual classes, after-school tutoring, extracurricular activity fees, out-of-district fees.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Music, art & sports lessons
Music instruments capped $500/yr purchase or $150/mo rental; extracurricular fees for music/sports allowed.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Educational therapies
ABA, speech, physical, occupational, vision, dyslexia/dysgraphia therapies for students with disabilities.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Testing, exams & evaluations
"Test Preparation" listed as an online-course subject; grades 3-11 must complete required testing but fee coverage not specified.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not stated
College courses, dual enrollment & CTE
FAQ does not address college-level/dual-enrollment courses; not found in ESTF FAQ.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Transportation
Fees through an approved provider only, $3,000 annual limit; excludes parent-provided mileage; separate transaction required.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
School uniforms
$500 total allowed per year.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not stated
Field trips, museums & educational travel
Not explicitly addressed in ESTF FAQ beyond general extracurricular activity fees.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Desks, instruments & learning equipment
Calculators capped $200/yr (one graphing calculator every 2 yrs); broader equipment (furniture, lab gear) not addressed.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25.
Education Scholarship Trust Fund explicitly excludes: Any purchase not made through ClassWallet Direct Pay or the ClassWallet Marketplace; Gas mileage reimbursement to a parent/guardian for transportation; Enrollment in an Option 1-3 homeschool association (disqualifies ESTF participation).
Questions South Carolina families ask
Can I buy curriculum, workbooks and printable worksheets with Education Scholarship Trust Fund?
Yes. Curriculum, textbooks and student workbooks by subject (math, English, science, social studies, language, art, music)
Does Education Scholarship Trust Fund pay for music, art or sports lessons?
With conditions. Music instruments capped $500/yr purchase or $150/mo rental; extracurricular fees for music/sports allowed
Does Education Scholarship Trust Fund pay for tutoring?
Yes. Tutoring by subject (math, English, science, social studies, language, art, music)
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 Trust Fund'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.