May 9, 2016
CLINTON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education announced today changes to the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which will expand the pool of students who qualify for the program.
Established by the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act of 2015, the ESA program provides up to $6,500 per school year to parents of students with disabilities who want to remove their child from a public school to seek educational services elsewhere. The law provides for 434 ESA accounts.
The expanded eligibility criteria for ESAs allows parents of children with an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) within five years from the date of application to apply for the ESA program. The original legislation required applicants to have an active IEP within 18 months of the date of application.
To participate in the program:
- the applicant must be a Mississippi resident;
- the student must have had an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) within five years of the date of application; and
- the parent must sign an agreement to adhere to the rules of participation.
Interested parents are encouraged to apply now for an ESA for the 2016-2017 school year. Applications are reviewed for eligibility within 21 business days of receipt. Parents are then notified whether the application was accepted or denied.
Parents whose applications were previously approved for the 2015-2016 school year must submit a recertification form to remain in the program for the 2016-2017 school year.
Parents who are accepted into the program will be reimbursed for expenses quarterly (subject to availability of funds) after submission of a reimbursement request with proper documentation of expenses incurred. Funds can also be paid quarterly directly to an educational service provider if approved by the parent.
Since the ESA program launched in July 2015, 340 applications have been approved, and 140 families have filed for ESA reimbursements to date.
“The MDE has created a packet of information for parents that outlines their responsibilities for participation and the MDE’s role in administering the ESA program,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “This has ensured that the application process is fair to all and follows the law.”
For more information, visit www.mde.k12.ms.us/OSE/ESA
ESA Resources:
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519