Des Moines, IA- State officials say nearly 19,000 applicants have qualified for state-funded accounts to cover private school expenses.
Radio Iowa reports that in January, Republican legislators approved Governor Reynolds’ plan to deposit state money in Education Savings Accounts that are to be used to pay tuition and other costs for students in a private K-through-12 school.
Each account is to get $7600. but there were household income limits. The number of approved accounts is about a third more than lawmakers had expected. A final report on how many accounts were activated will come in December after officials confirm students were enrolled in a private school.
Some parents who submitted applications may not have found a spot in a private school for their children. In July, state officials indicated 60% of applications were from parents whose children already attended a private school. 40% were for kids who’d be enrolling in a private school for the first time.
Two years from now, every parent of a private school student may apply for the state stipend. State officials say nearly 6,000 of this year’s applications were denied because they did not meet household income limits or residency requirements.
