Changes in education today are happening at lightning speed, thanks in part to ESAs. These funding plans work differently in each state, and not all states have them. However, they are designed to put educational dollars back into the pockets of families so they can choose how to spend them. Depending on the rules, parents can enroll their children in alternative school programs or even homeschool.
But what about college? While ESAs are technically for K-12 expenses only, students can participate in higher education courses, with some limits. Read on to see how you can use ESA dollars in select states to prepare your student for college and help them earn credit while in high school.
What are ESAs?
Educational savings accounts (ESAs) have different meanings depending on the context. For this conversation, ESAs are state-based programs where parents get funds to support their child’s education, often outside of a public school system.
ESAs are growing in popularity, with new states adding some version of the program every year. As part of the “money follows the child” approach to educational school choice, ESAs aim to give kids a flexible, appropriate education for their unique needs.
What about college ESAs and 529s?
The term ESA is also used to describe certain savings accounts for college education. A state 529 plan, for example, is a kind of ESA that lets family members put away cash for a child’s future college education into investment accounts. They usually come with benefits such as tax-free growth or even state income tax deduction for contributions made in a given year.
When someone uses the term “ESA,” you should ask if they are talking about the K-12 programs or a college savings account. Then, you’ll know if you’re on the same page.
How are ESAs Different from School Vouchers?
ESAs and school vouchers are tools for school choice that help students access options other than their local school district. Vouchers, like ESAs, have been hotly contested in some areas, but they usually only cover private school tuition and fees. While they give flexibility to students in areas with plenty of private school options, they may not help students in rural areas or states with a low private school count.
Depending on the state’s rules, ESAs can cover more than private school tuition. With the funds available for homeschooling, co-ops, microschools, and other models, ESAs expand the options for students in every part of the state and can even be used for homeschool online dual enrollment courses.
How to Use ESAs to Pay for College
Assuming we’re talking about the state ESAs, like the Utah Fits All Scholarship, the answer is, “yes!” Sometimes, you can use ESA funds to buy college courses for your student. Here are some things to consider:
Finish on time. ESAs are designed for K-12 students, so any dual enrollment college courses must be purchased and finished before the student graduates in their senior year. Students who buy courses through TEL Education have six months to complete courses at their own pace.
Choose courses wisely. Not all colleges are approved vendors for each state’s ESA program. Some states allow you to choose which colleges or universities your student enrolls in. Others, like Florida, have approved vendor lists from which to shop. Check the list at least annually to be sure your choice of course provider is still an approved vendor.
Consider added costs. Dual enrollment college courses can get expensive. If you can, choose one that includes all the books and course materials needed to complete the course. Classes from Mid-America Christian University, powered by TEL Education, are all-inclusive. One fee pays for everything, including the exam proctoring, so there are no expensive surprises!
Research accreditation. One of the big benefits of dual enrollment is earning those college credits, but not all courses transfer easily. Look for schools with regional accreditation, so they transfer as at least an elective at the future school of your child’s choosing. Briar Cliff University’s courses, powered by TEL Education, are accredited and transfer easily to wherever your student wants to finish their college education.
Follow purchase and reimbursement requirements. Ideally, you’ll pick a dual enrollment course from a vendor on the state ESAs approved list, so you can use your available funds without paying out of pocket. Read your state’s purchasing guidelines carefully to ensure you understand what’s covered by the plan and how reimbursement works, in the rare case you must pay with your own money.
Which state ESAs pay for dual enrollment credits?
The ESA environment is changing quickly. The best way to know if your state has an ESA is to check local legislative news or use a site like EdChoice for updates. To date, TEL Education participates with the following state ESA programs to help students earn college credits while still in high school. Check out the links to learn more about each program and how to easily enroll.
Utah ESA: Utah Fits All Scholarship
Arizona ESA: Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account
West Virginia ESA: West Virginia Hope Scholarship Program
Florida ESA: (coming soon)
We’ll update the list as more states are added. In the meantime, your student is always welcome to enroll in Mid-American Christian University and Briar Cliff University courses, powered by TEL Education, even if you don’t have access to ESA funds.
With courses priced at just $75 a credit hour, your child can get a high-quality college education for far less than what they would pay after graduation. Courses include Intro to Chemistry (with labs), Fundamentals of Public Speaking, English Composition, Spanish I, and many more!
Visit the Briar Cliff University or Mid-America Christian University pages to learn more about courses offered, start dates, and tech requirements. Refer to your state’s ESA page for approved colleges and course details.
