Iowa’s New Voucher Law: What Is The Students First Act?
From Office of the Governor of Iowa (January 24th, 2023)
DES MOINES — Governor Reynolds signed HF 68 into law today amid hundreds of supporters in the Iowa State Capitol. The Students First Act makes state education funding available for K-12 students who choose to attend private schools.
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“Public schools are the foundation of our education system and for most families they will continue to be the option of choice, but they aren’t the only choice,” Governor Reynolds stated. “For some families, a different path may be better for their children. With this bill, every child in Iowa, regardless of zip code or income, will have access to the school best suited for them.”
Universal eligibility will be phased in over three years. All incoming Kindergarteners and all public-school students will be eligible beginning year one with the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Eligibility for families of children currently enrolled in accredited private schools will be income based over the first two years.
- During the 2023-2024 school year, private school students with household incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), currently $83,250 for a family of four, are eligible.
- In the 2024-2025 school year, private school eligibility expands to include families with household incomes at or below 400% FPL, currently $111,000 for a family of four, are eligible.
- Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, all K-12 students in Iowa are eligible regardless of family income.
Parents or guardians who enroll their eligible children in an accredited private school will receive an amount equal to the per pupil funds allocated by the state to all public school districts each year. The funds are estimated at $7,635 per pupil for the 2023-2024 school year and will be deposited into an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses.
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Information is available on the Iowa Department of Education website at educateiowa.gov and will be updated regularly. Families interested in applying for ESAs can sign up to receive notifications when new information is posted on the webpage.
FAQs About Education Savings Accounts
What is the Students First Act (SFA) and Educations Saving Account (ESA)?
The Students First Act is a bill that was signed into law by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds that makes state education funding available for K-12 students who choose to attend private schools. It also provides public schools with additional categorical funding for students who live in their district but attend private schools, and allows public school districts to use unspent money from some categorical funds to supplement teacher salaries.
Educations Saving Accounts are available to parents who enroll their eligible children in an accredited private school. Parent(s) will receive an amount equal to the per pupil funds allocated by the state to all public school districts each year ($7,635 for the 2023-24 school year).
Q: Our family just moved to Iowa. Do we need to become Iowa residents to qualify?
Yes, you must be an Iowa Resident (specific residency requirements can be found HERE ).
Q: How does my family qualify for the ESAs/Voucher?
1) Must be an Iowa Resident (specific residency requirements to be announced by the Iowa Department of Education)
2) Anyone who in the previous school year attended public school or homeschool within the state qualifies for the ESA/Voucher
3) Incoming kindergarten students qualify for the ESA/Voucher
4) For anyone who in the previous school year attended private school, eligibility will be based on household income:
- During the 2023-2024 school year, private school students with household incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), currently $83,250 for a family of four, are eligible.
- In the 2024-2025 school year, private school eligibility expands to include families with household incomes at or below 400% FPL, currently $111,000 for a family of four, are eligible.
- Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, all K-12 students in Iowa are eligible regardless of family income.
For more information please visit https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
Q: I currently have children who attend public school in Iowa but I want to send them to Maharishi School. Is there income criteria for the ESA/Voucher?
No, they would be eligible for an ESA regardless of income as long as they are enrolled as a full-time student at Maharishi School.
Q: Our child is currently homeschooled. If we want to send them to Maharishi School next year, are they eligible for an ESA?
Yes, they would be eligible for an ESA regardless of income as long as they are enrolled as a full-time student at Maharishi School.
Q: I live in another state but want to send my child to Maharishi School. Can I still qualify for the ESAs/Voucher?
No, at this time you can only qualify for this program if you are a current resident of the state of Iowa.
Q: What if the funds I receive do not cover the full tuition at Maharishi School?
Any families who would like consideration for additional financial aid are encouraged to complete the Financial Aid Independent Review (FAIR) form. Our Students Accounts office will inform the family of their eligibility for additional financial aid. Many of our families do qualify for substantial financial aid.
Q: What can the ESA/Voucher funds be used for?
The funds can be used for Maharishi School tuition.
Q: Is there a deadline for application for the ESAs/Voucher?
In this inaugural year ESA applications will be available May 31, 2023. Deadline for submission is June 30th, 2023.
Q: What financial information does the Iowa Department of Education need to assess my family’s eligibility?
That information has not been made available yet by the Iowa Department of Education.
Q: If our family receives an ESA and we need to withdraw during the school year, can we get a refund?
No. Per the Iowa Department of Education, private schools are NOT allowed to refund ESA tuition to families.
Q. If our family receives the ESA, will it be taxable income?
No, the ESA will not be taxable income.
Q: Does my Preschool child qualify for the ESA/voucher program?
No, the program begins with Kindergarten age students.
Q: How will the ESA funds will be used by private schools. Does Maharishi School have any financial accountability?
Yes, we operate as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under Maharishi International University and are audited annually. Our best measure of how our funds are used are the outcomes seen in our students: their academic and extracurricular achievement and their creative, compassionate, contributing qualities of character.
FAQs For Maharishi School Community
Q: My child currently attends Maharishi School. Do I need to apply for ESAs/Voucher?
Yes, to qualify for Maharishi School financial aid, every parent will be asked to also apply for the ESA/voucher.
Q: I am an employee of Maharishi International University (or Maharishi School) and receive tuition remission for my children as part of my compensation. Do I still need to apply for the ESA/Voucher?
Yes, all MIU employees (or Maharishi School) who are residents of Iowa will be asked to apply for the voucher. If additional financial support is needed, the family should apply for FAIR.
Q: Our family has three children in Maharishi School. Do they each get an ESA or is it one per family?
If your family qualifies per the requirements, there would be an ESA of $7,635 per child.
Q: Our children are enrolled in Maharishi School. Do I still need to complete the FAIR form?
Yes, this will still be required to be considered for financial aid.
Q: I complete the FAIR form every year to qualify for financial aid. The voucher will cover most--but not all--of my tuition payment. Will I still need to contribute some portion?
Yes, you will be asked to complete the ESA/voucher application as well as the FAIR form, and to pay the balance indicated on your tuition invoice. In other words, the ESA/voucher will cover the first $7,635 of your tuition payment. You will be responsible for the balance of the invoiced amount.
Q: My child has been boarding this past year at Maharishi School in Iowa. Do we qualify?
Only families who are residents of Iowa may qualify.
How to Apply
Maharishi School does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its program and activity.
An offer of admission is conditioned on Maharishi School being able to meet any necessary or reasonable accommodations. If you have such needs, please contact our Admissions Office after you have received an offer of admission. We will need this in writing, and may require additional documentation, in order to make this determination.
Maharishi School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis or race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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