Students First Act: What Iowa Parents Should Know

With all the changes happening within the school system on a seemingly daily basis, it can be difficult to stay up to date on everything. Have you heard of the Iowa Students First Act? Maybe you’ve heard it discussed, or you understand the basics but not quite the details, like how it affects you and your children. If so, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about the Students First Act.

What Is the Students First Act?

The Students First Act was signed into law on January 24, 2023. This act provides state education funding for kindergarten through 12th-grade students who choose to attend private schools. It also provides funding for public schools when students who live within their district choose to attend private schools instead.

How Does the Students First Act Work?

Each year, parents of children attending accredited private schools receive an amount of money equal to what’s allocated to a single student within public school districts. While this amount can vary from year to year, the estimated per-student amount for the 2023-2024 school year was approximately $7,598.

This money goes into each student’s individual education savings account (ESA). The state continues depositing funds each year until the student graduates, completes high school, or turns 20 years old. Any remaining balance returns to the general state fund.

Does Your Child Qualify for the Students First Act?

The Students First Act began during the 2023-2024 school year, and Iowa planned to roll it out gradually. Here’s a breakdown of eligibility over the program’s first few school years:

2023-2024 School Year:

• All kindergarten students
• All public school students
• Private school students with a household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, according to 2023 federal poverty guidelines

2024-2025 School Year:

• All kindergarten students
• All public school students
• Private school students with a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, according to 2024 federal poverty guidelines

2025-2026 School Year:

• All kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Iowa, at all income levels

What Can the Funds Be Used For?

Families can use these funds for a variety of expenses that fall under “tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses.” Eligible expenses specifically include, but aren’t limited to:

• Textbooks
• Curriculum fees
• Software (like Microsoft Office)
• Laptops
• Instruments
• Educational therapy services (such as tutoring, speech therapy, reading instruction, executive functioning support, and auditory processing support)
• Cognitive skills training
• Standardized test fees
• Vocational and life skills education

Ineligible expenses specifically include, but aren’t limited to:

• Clothing
• Backpacks
• Printers
• Art supplies
• Office supplies
• Childcare
• Cleaning supplies
• Transportation costs

How Do You Use the Funds?

Schools bill many eligible expenses directly, and the state automatically considers those items and services eligible, meaning families don’t need additional permission before purchasing them through the school.

Beyond school-billed expenses, families can also use funds through a registered, authorized vendor outside of school. Before purchasing, it’s worth double-checking that the vendor is authorized and confirming whether the item or service is automatically eligible. If it’s not automatically eligible, families need additional verification first.

For more details on eligible and ineligible expenses, and which items require additional verification, refer to the state’s official eligible expenses list.

Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center Provides Support

The services offered by Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center qualify for funding under the Students First Act and the education savings accounts that qualifying students receive. At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, our mission is to give hope and support to families by helping children of all ages achieve their God-given potential. We provide an individualized approach to improve each child’s ability to communicate, socialize, and grow academically. We’re a bridge to success. Interested in learning more about our services? Contact us today.