Families Determine Student Eligibility

In some states, lawmakers have made accounts available to all public school students. In others, accounts are only available to children with special needs, who have active-duty military family members, or are in foster care.

Applications

Some states accept applications all year, while others have an application window.

Account Awards

A state agency or scholarship organization will send account information to families who complete an application.

Account Usage

Parents and students use the accounts for eligible expenses. Some states provide a prepaid debit card for expenses. Others reimburse parents for their expenses after the fact.

For examples of allowable educational products and services please see page 11.

Expense Reports

Typically, at the end of each fiscal quarter, parents complete an expense report. Families submit receipts for each purchase to the agency overseeing the accounts. The agency cross-references the items on the report with the bank's records. Once all transactions have been accounted for, the agency makes the next quarter's deposit.