MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — According to Gov. Kay Ivey, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) created through Alabama’s CHOOSE Act are now fully funded and available for the 2026-2027 school year.
Families approved during the application process earlier this year can now access their funding through the ClassWallet platform to help pay for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies and other qualifying educational expenses at approved education service providers.
Gov. Ivey said nearly 49,000 students applied for the program for the upcoming school year, marking a record number of applications.
Eligible families will receive:
$7,000 per participating student enrolled in a participating school.
$2,000 per participating student enrolled in a home education program, up to $4,000 per family.
“The CHOOSE Act has changed the lives of thousands of Alabama families by enabling them to select schools that best align with their priorities and their child’s specific needs,” said Gov. Ivey. “The increase in applications for the upcoming school year shows that the people of Alabama want school choice, and I am proud that we are able to give it to them.”
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, which administers the program, more than 34,000 students were approved for funding, representing more than $174 million in Education Savings Accounts for Alabama families.
Approved families will receive a welcome email from ClassWallet with instructions on accessing and using their funds, along with information about approved education expenses and customer support.
For families in the Wiregrass, the funding could help offset the cost of private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, tutoring and eligible educational services offered by approved providers in the region. Families who were approved for the 2026-2027 school year can begin using their funds once their ClassWallet account is activated.
The next application period for the 2027-2028 school year is expected to open in January 2027 and will be available to all Alabama families regardless of household income.
