The Comptroller’s Office has published proposed rules to implement the Education Savings Account (ESA) Program. The Comptroller’s Office will administer the program, with day-to-day operations support from one or more Certified Educational Assistance Organizations (CEAOs). Earlier this summer, the agency issued a Request for Proposals to select a CEAO and is currently reviewing applications. The proposed rules provide the framework needed to launch the program, including who qualifies, how to apply, what education expenses are covered, and accountability and reporting measures.
The proposed rules open a 30-day public comment period. Public comments may be submitted to the Comptroller’s office and must be received or postmarked within 30 days of publication. The proposal includes rules governing:
- Definitions for program components
- Requirements for Certified Educational Assistance Organizations, entities that will assist the Comptroller’s Office in administering the program by overseeing applications, processing payments, and addressing complaints
- Requirements for Education Service Providers and Vendors of Educational Products, entities that can be preapproved by the Comptroller’s Office whose services and products can be paid for with ESA funds
- Eligibility criteria and application processing guidelines for children participating in the program
- Applications will be split into three categories 1) siblings of participating children, 2) children who previously ceased participating in the ESA program by enrolling in public school, and 3) all other children
- Children will then be separated into four groups based on federal poverty guidelines, with admission of children in households with a total income at or above 500% of federal poverty guidelines limited to 20% of the total appropriated amount for the school year
- A waitlist is available for children in this 20% with admission possible if additional funds become available
- Approved education related expenses (tuition and fees, uniforms, textbooks and instructional materials, costs for assessments, tutoring and teaching services, educational therapies not otherwise covered, transportation costs, hardware and software costs, and breakfast and lunch costs)
- Program administration, including outlining totals for a child’s program account equal to 85% of state and local student funding in ADA, up to $30,000 for children with disabilities, and up to $2,000 for home-schooled students
- The appeals process and notice requirements for parents of participating children
For more information, see the Comptroller’s ESA web page here.
