The Iowa Department of Education has announced that the application period for the 2026-27 Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program will officially open on Thursday, April 16 at 8 a.m. and remain open through Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Families can access the application through a link on the Students First Education Savings Accounts webpage, which will direct users to the ESA platform managed by Odyssey, the program’s contracted administrator.
New applicants must first create an ESA Portal account before beginning the application. Returning applicants can log into their existing ESA Portal accounts to submit a new application for the 2026-27 school year. Applications are available in both English and Spanish.
The Students First Act, signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on January 24, 2023, allows state education funds to be directed by parents or guardians of eligible students attending accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa. To qualify, students must:
- Be residents of Iowa
- Be enrolled full-time
- Attend an accredited nonpublic school located in Iowa
All K-12 students in Iowa are eligible for the ESA program, regardless of family income. An ESA application must be submitted each year to participate.
Residency verification will be conducted automatically using the parent’s or guardian’s 2025 Iowa State Tax Return. If a 2025 return was not filed in Iowa, alternative documentation may be required.
Families are encouraged to visit the ESA webpage for answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility, the application process, and other program details.
For technical assistance, Odyssey representatives are available at 515-368-9564 or via email at help.ia@withodyssey.com.