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How to Use ESA Funds for Enrichment Programs in Arizona

If your child is enrolled in Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, you may already be using those funds for curriculum and tutoring, but did you know you can also use them for hands-on enrichment programs and educational field trips? Here's everything you need to know.


What is Arizona's ESA Program?

Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program gives famlies direct access to state education funds to use for approved learning expenses. Originally created in 2011, Arizona became the first state in the nation to offer universal eligibility in 2022, meaning every K-12 student in Arizona can apply, regardless of income, location, or prior school enrollment.


Funds are deposited into accounts in equal amounts every three months, and Arizona is the only state program where unused funds roll over to the next school year. Most families receive between $7,000 and $8,000 annually, with students who have documented disabilities or special needs qualifying for additional funding.


What can ESA Funds be Used For?

ESA funds are designed to give families flexibility in building a customized education for their child. Approved expense categories include tutoring and teaching services, curricula and supplementary materials, tuition and fees at qualified schools, nationally norm-referenced testing, computer hardware and technological devices, transportation, and more.


Extracurricular instruction such as music lessons, language classes, and driver's education (if educational in nature) are also eligible. This broad list means that thoughtfully designed enrichment progrmas, like hands-on STEM field trips, can qualify as approved educational expenses.


Can ESA Funds Be Used for Enrichment Programs and Field Trips?

Yes, enrichment programs that are educational in nature and provided by an approved vendor are an eligible use of ESA funds. The key requirements are that the program must be genuinely educational and the vendor must be approved through ClassWallet, the platform Arizona uses to administer ESA spending.


At Discoveries in the Desert, we are a ClassWallet Direct Pay vendor, which means eligible families can use their ESA funds to cover their students' program costs with no out-of-pocket payment required. Our programs are designed around Arizona state standards and include pre-visit education packets, on-site STEM labs and guided learning activities, making them a strong fit for ESA-funded enrichment.


How does ClassWallet Work?

ClassWallet allows parents to pay approved vendors directly from the platform, receive and use a prepaid debit card, and receive reimbursements for approved expenses. When you book a program with an approved vendor like Discoveries in the Desert, payment can be made directly through ClassWallet, no reimbursement paperwork required. However, you must first obtain a detailed, itemized invoice to upload in ClassWallet in order to directly pay a vendor.


How to Pay for a Discoveries in the Desert Program with ESA Funds

The process is simple:

  1. Confirm your ESA balance by logging into your ClassWallet account at classwallet.com

  2. Choose your program from the Discoveries in the Desert program schedule

  3. Request an invoice by emailing us at info@discoveriesaz.com with your student's name and the program you'd like to attend

  4. Upload the invoice and pay directly through ClassWallet using the Direct Pay feature

  5. You're registered! We'll send all program details and materials by email the week before your program date


Please note: Unless selecting the student drop-off option, parents will need to purchase their own ticket separately through our website.


Tips for Managing Your ESA Budget

If you're planning to use ESA funds for enrichment programs throughout the year, a little planning goes a long way:

  • Budget by quarter. Since funds are distributed four times a year, map out which programs you'd like to attend each quarter so you don't run short later in the year.

  • Prioritize core expenses first. Cover curriculum and required educational materials before allocating funds to enrichment programs.

  • Remember funds roll over. Any unused funds carry into the next school year, so there's no pressure to spend everything at once.

  • Keep your documentation organized. Save invoices and payment confirmations in one place in case of an audit.


Ready to Book?

Discoveries in the Desert offers ESA-approved enrichment programs for homeschool families, microschools, and co-ops across the Phoenix Valley. Programs start at $32 per student and are designed around what your students are already learning so they can make meaningful connections between their lessons at home and their hands-on experience at the program.




A note on accuracy: ESA program rules, funding amounts, and approved expense categories can change. Always refer to the Arizona Department of Education ESA page or your current Parent Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.


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