Here’s something most Arizona ESA families don’t realize: nearly every purchase you make goes through automatically.
Since November 2024, Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program changed how it handles approvals. The shift is dramatic—and it changes how you should think about spending ESA funds.
⭐The $2,000 Rule
Any purchase under $2,000 gets auto-approved. No waiting. No review. It processes immediately through your ClassWallet account.
That covers 99.998% of all ESA transactions.
But here’s the catch: auto-approval doesn’t mean automatic permission.
What “Auto-Approval” Really Means
Think of it this way—your purchase goes through now, but the review happens later. Sometimes weeks later. Sometimes months.
Between November 2024 and August 2025, over 1.2 million purchases totaling $124.3 million were auto-fulfilled. A small compliance team at the Arizona Department of Education audits these transactions after the fact.
If they find something unallowable? You’ll need to repay those funds.
When You Actually Need Pre-Approval
Only purchases over $2,000 require approval before processing. These represent less than 0.002% of ESA purchases.
For everything else, the question isn’t “Will this be approved?” It’s “Will this pass the audit?”
Documentation You’ll Need
Even with auto-approval, certain purchases require supporting documentation:
Curriculum and Supplemental Materials
- Provide the curriculum title
- Show how materials connect to that curriculum
- Example: Art supplies need proof they’re required by your art curriculum
Educational Services
- Tutors may need a Business Accreditation Attestation Form
- This verifies proper credentials before payment
Technology Purchases
- Demonstrate primarily educational purposes
- Show educational necessity for devices
Public School Services
- Submit specific documentation about services and fees
The Smart Approach
Before you click “purchase,” ask yourself: Can I prove this is educational?
All ESA purchases face quarterly audits. If you’re uncertain about an item, contact the ESA team first:
- Phone: 602-364-1969 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Support Portal: Submit tickets through your parent account
What About Reimbursements?
You can buy items out-of-pocket and request repayment through ClassWallet. You’ll need:
- Itemized invoices or receipts
- Proof items are ESA-allowable
- Submission by quarterly deadlines
Critical deadline: You cannot use ESA funds for purchases made before your contract was signed or before your July 1 contract effective date.
The Bottom Line
Auto-approval makes spending faster. But it doesn’t make spending safer.
The “pay first, audit later” system puts the responsibility on you. Document everything. Keep receipts. Make sure purchases align with educational requirements.
When in doubt, ask before you buy. That five-minute phone call could save you from repaying hundreds of dollars later.
For complete guidance, review the ESA 2025-2026 Handbook.
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