Every way to pay for private school in Phoenix
The ESA and STO scholarships are the two big paths for Valley families, and a child uses one or the other each year. Around them sit Maricopa and Pinal counties options for preschool, disability funding, Catholic aid and school discounts. Here is each one, who qualifies and when to act.
Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
A state-funded account, open to every Arizona K-12 student, that pays private tuition and other approved costs through ClassWallet.
Who qualifies →Tax credit · up to $1,570 per coupleSTO Tax-Credit Scholarships (Original Individual Credit)
Scholarships paid by School Tuition Organizations from Arizonans' state income-tax credits, awarded to students at the STO's listed schools.
Who qualifies →Tax credit · up to $1,561 per coupleSwitcher ("PLUS") STO Scholarships
A second Arizona tax credit, open to donors who have already maxed out the original credit, that funds scholarships for students switching into private school.
Who qualifies →State ESA · higher amountsESA for Students with Disabilities
The same ESA, paid at a higher rate set by the disability category in a child's IEP, MET report or 504 plan.
Who qualifies →Diocese of Phoenix STOCatholic Education Arizona Scholarships
The School Tuition Organization for the Diocese of Phoenix's Catholic schools, with need-based scholarships applied for through FACTS.
Who qualifies →Pre-K · income-basedPreschool & Child Care Assistance
DES child care assistance, First Things First Quality First scholarships and Maricopa County Head Start, for the years before the ESA starts.
Who qualifies →State ESA · ages 3-5Preschool ESA for Children with Disabilities
The only way to get ESA money before kindergarten: a three- or four-year-old with a qualifying evaluation from an Arizona public school.
Who qualifies →Corporate credit · income or disabilityCorporate STO Scholarships (Low-Income and Disabled/Displaced)
Larger scholarship pools funded by Arizona corporations: one for lower-income students switching sectors, one for students with disabilities or in foster care.
Who qualifies →School aidSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Discounts and need-based aid that come from the school itself: parishioner rates, sibling discounts, FACTS-based grants and payment plans.
Who qualifies →Federal · not available yetFederal Scholarship Tax Credit: Arizona Status
A new federal tax credit for gifts to scholarship groups starts in 2027, but only in states that opt in. Arizona has not.
Who qualifies →Dates to know
- Oct 15-31, 2026ESA deposits for the October-December quarter, following the pattern in the current ADE handbook.
- Oct 31, 2026Debit-card receipts for July-September ESA spending are due in ClassWallet.
- Nov 15, 2026ACSTO pays its next round of scholarship awards to schools.
- Dec 31, 2026Last day of calendar 2026 for STO gifts; IBE lists it as the cutoff for preapproved corporate donations.
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit begins in states that have opted in. Arizona has not.
- Jan 15-31, 2027January-March ESA deposits (handbook pattern); Q2 debit-card receipts due Jan 31.
- Feb 1-3, 2027IBE (Feb 1) and ACSTO (Feb 3) open 2027-28 scholarship applications.
- Mar 31, 2027ACSTO's spring cycle closes. ESA applications completed after this date are enrolled on or after July 1.
- Apr 15, 2027Last day to make an STO gift and claim it on your 2026 Arizona return ($1,570 original / $1,561 switcher for joint filers).
- Jul 1, 2027The 2027-28 ESA contract year begins; renew your contract and July deposits follow.
ESA vs. STO calculator What's left after the ESA What the ESA pays for
See which path fits your child
Answer a few questions about grade, school and area, and a School Funding Advisor will call to walk through the ESA, STO and other options for your family. There is no charge.