Education Savings Accounts
Apply for an ESA for the 2025-2026 year today!
All Iowa residents are eligible for the ESA for the 2025-26 school year and must complete the application by June 30, 2025. Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade qualify. A new application must be completed each year to receive the tuition funding.
- Complete the application via Odyssey by clicking here. (Available in English & Spanish) If you don't have an account, there is an option to sign up towards the bottom of the page.
- This application will take you less than 10 minutes to complete.
- Please make sure to enter your child(ren)'s full legal name, birthdate, and grade they will be in next school year.
- Once your application is approved, you must select the school your child(ren) will attend next year. Please pay special attention to your school selection - all of our schools are listed separately for Mater Dei Immaculate Conception, Mater Dei Nativity, Holy Cross Blessed Sacrament, Holy Cross St. Michael, Sacred Heart, Cathedral Dual Language Academy, and Bishop Heelan High School.
- BHCS will contact you in July to accept the Fall Semester of tuition and release your ESA funds to the school.
What are ESAs?
The Students First Act was signed into law on Jan. 24, 2023, and its purpose was to make state funding available to support the success of every K-12 Iowa student. The bill sets up a system and provides money for education savings accounts (ESAs). These accounts can be used by eligible families to help pay for things like tuition and fees at private schools in Iowa.
ESAs provide increased choice in education, access to faith filled curriculum, strong academic programs and smaller class sizes. The true benefit is savings on tuition costs.
How do ESAs work?
Parents who choose to enroll their eligible children in one of Iowa’s accredited nonpublic schools will receive an amount equal to the per pupil funding allocated to public school districts for the same budget school year. For the 2024-25 school year, the amount was $7,826. Funds are held in an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other eligible qualified education expenses.
The state contracted with Odyssey for ESA program administration, including applications, financial transactions, compliance, fraud prevention and customer service. Odyssey securely administers funds and provides families with direct customer service and support.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Laurie Dougherty
Director of Enrollment
712.226.0416 | office
712.301.5089 | cell
laurie.dougherty@bishopheelan.org
“Families who transfer to Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools often share that they appreciate the structured and supportive environment. They notice a positive atmosphere in the classroom, smaller class sizes, and strong connections with their teachers. Many parents tell us they’re pleased with the experience and enjoy having a choice in their child’s education.”
-Laurie dougherty, bhcs director of enrollment