NOTE: Do NOT apply for a sibling unless you currently have an ESA student with a signed contract or previously had an ESA student with a signed contract.
Applicant = The legal parent or guardian
Student = The student receiving the ESA award.
Eligibility Requirements
- The Student must be at least five years of age as of January 1st of the contract year to be eligible as an entering Kindergarten student.
- The Student and Applicant must be residents of Arizona.
- If the student is eligible to attend 1-12 grade, the student must meet the 45-day requirement.
- This means the student must have been enrolled in an Arizona public school for 45 days of the school year (as a full-time student) prior to the application (for the current or previous school year).
- This requirement can also be met with online hours.
- The student may be exempt from this requirement if:
- the student has not previously attended a governmental primary (K-12) school but is currently eligible to enroll in a kindergarten program (must be five years old on or before January 1st of the contract year)
- the student has not previously attended a governmental primary (K-12) school but is currently eligible to enroll in a 1st grade program
- The Student and Sibling must share a parent/guardian.
- The Student must have a sibling in one of the following situations:
- Sibling was previously on the ESA Program, and funds were spent appropriately;
- Sibling is currently on the ESA Program;
- Sibling is a qualifying student for the current contract year and accepts the contract.
- For example: If an application is submitted for Child B, but their sibling (Child A) is not, and has never been in contract with ESA -- the application will be denied.
- Adoptive siblings do qualify with supporting adoption paperwork.
Documentation Requirements
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Student’s Birth Certificate (full-color image)
- The applicant (the person applying) must be listed on the birth certificate (or other legal documentation).
- If the applicant's legal name at the time of application does not match what is on the birth certificate, documentation of legal name change must be included with the birth certificate.
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Sibling’s Birth Certificate (full image of the Student with an Active/Previous ESA Contract)
- Sibling's birth certificate (or other legal documentation) must share a common parent/guardian with the sibling ESA account.
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Proof of Arizona Residency – List of Acceptable Documentation
- The applicant is required to submit documentation that lists his or her physical address. The Department of Education is unable to accept P.O. Boxes or business addresses. Applicants must submit documents in his or her name. Acceptable proof of residency documents can include one document from the primary list, two documents from the secondary list, or, if applicable, a notarized Affidavit of Shared Residence form.
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Primary list of required documents (please submit one document from the list below):
- Utility bill (water, electric, gas, cable, landline phone, internet) issued within the past 60 days. The document MUST show the entire bill (not just the coupon section) and include all four corners of every page. Unopened documents that just show the mailing address through an envelope window are insufficient.
- Physical address verification letter (for rural addresses only) from a fire department or law enforcement agency issued within the past 60 days.
- Physical address verification letter (for Native American Reservation addresses only) from a tribal agency or Chapter House issued within the past 60 days.
- Temporary on-base billeting facility (for military families) issued within the past 60 days.
- Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) enrollment card only if applicant is an ACP participant.
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Secondary list of required documents (please submit at least 2 documents from the list below only if a primary document is unavailable):
- Social Security Administration documents issued within the past 60 days.
- Veterans Affairs Administration documents issued within the past 60 days.
- Arizona Department of Economic Security documents issued within the past 60 days.
- Arizona Department of Transportation vehicle registration issued within the past 60 days.
- Property tax bill with name and address issued within the past year. Must be the actual bill – a payment coupon or receipt is not sufficient.
- W-2 OR 1098 OR 1099 tax document issued within one year.
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Affidavit of Shared Residence
- If the applicant is unable to provide documentation as proof of residency in his or her name from the primary or secondary lists provided above, he or she may submit a notarized Affidavit of Shared Residence form.
The department reserves the right to review and request additional documentation if deemed necessary. This list may be revised at any time without notice. It is the responsibility of the ESA applicant or account holder to notify the Department of any address changes within 30 days.