Staff Reports

One year after its creation, Indiana’s newest scholarship fund is ready to launch.

The Indiana Education Scholarship Account Program joins the state’s robust catalog of education opportunities and is designed for families seeking to take control of their student’s academic journeys, according to a news release from state Treasurer Kelly Mitchell.

The program is designed to provide students with disabilities access to funds to set up an educational environment that best meets their learning needs. Parents of eligible students or emancipated eligible students will have the opportunity to spend dedicated scholarship money on approved educational programs, therapies, services, tuition and fees and other expenses related to the student’s education.

The application window will open for eligible students June 27.

“Families will have more opportunities to meet their child’s individual education needs by taking control of the resources they are entitled to through an Indiana ESA account. I encourage all eligible Hoosiers to consider applying,” said Mitchell, who oversees the program.

The program provides tax-free scholarship funds to eligible students for preapproved education expenses, such as tuition, therapies, assessments and fee-for-service transportation, to spend with preapproved educational service providers. Funds are not counted as income for families of recipients and do not impact other forms of financial aid, such as Medicaid waivers.

For the 2022-23 school year, the application window for eligible students is June 27 to Aug. 5. Applications can be found online at in.gov/tos/inesa.

To be eligible for ESA funds, students must meet the following requirements:

Be an Indiana resident

Between the ages of 5 and 22 years old

Require special education services and have an individualized education program, a service plan or a choice special education plan

Annual income may not exceed 300% of the federal free and reduced lunch income qualification