You’ve been homeschooling for years, filing your affidavit like clockwork. Now you’re hearing about ESA funding—thousands of dollars available for educational expenses. But there’s a catch: you can’t have both. If you’re navigating this decision, you’re not alone. Over 100,000 Arizona families are now using ESA funding, and understanding the legal shift is crucial.
The Legal Reality: One Path, Not Both
Arizona law is clear on this point: when you sign an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) contract, you cannot simultaneously maintain a homeschool affidavit. According to Arizona Revised Statutes §15-2402(B)(5), ESA parents must agree not to file an affidavit of intent to homeschool. This isn’t a bureaucratic formality—it’s a fundamental change in your child’s educational classification under state law.
The ESA contract itself becomes your legal documentation that your child is receiving an education. Instead of the affidavit you filed with your county school superintendent, the ESA agreement now serves as proof of educational compliance. This means if you already have a homeschool affidavit on file, you’ll need to contact your county superintendent’s office to withdraw it before or when you sign your ESA contract.
Why the Either-Or Rule Exists
Arizona distinguishes between homeschoolers and ESA participants as separate legal categories. While ESA families may absolutely teach their children at home and purchase homeschool curriculum with ESA funds, their students are not classified as “homeschoolers” for state law purposes. This distinction matters because each pathway comes with different oversight mechanisms.
Traditional homeschoolers operate with minimal state oversight—they file an affidavit, and that’s essentially the extent of state involvement. ESA participants, by contrast, receive public education funds (averaging around $7,000-$8,000 per student annually), which come with accountability requirements including transaction monitoring and eligible expense verification.
What This Means for Your Family
Understanding the tradeoff: The program has grown from 12,127 students in June 2023 to over 100,000 as of January 2026, with enrollment projected to reach 102,800 by the fiscal year’s end. This massive expansion reflects both the financial benefit and the confidence families have in the program. However, you’re exchanging the complete autonomy of traditional homeschooling for funded flexibility within program guidelines.
Your child’s educational experience: Practically speaking, your day-to-day homeschooling can look remarkably similar under ESA. You can purchase curriculum, pay for tutoring, cover therapy services, buy educational materials, and access online programs. The difference isn’t in what you teach or how—it’s in the funding source and reporting structure.
The paperwork shift: Instead of a one-time affidavit filing, you’ll work within the ESA system, submitting expenses through the state portal and ensuring purchases align with qualified educational expenses. The state Department of Education manages oversight through technology systems that approve or deny transactions at point-of-sale.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Review your current status: Check whether you have a homeschool affidavit currently on file with your county superintendent. If you do and you’re considering ESA, plan for the withdrawal process.
- Calculate the financial impact: Research the current ESA award amount for your child’s grade level and compare it to your annual homeschool expenses. For many families, ESA funding covers a significant portion of educational costs.
- Understand qualified expenses: Before applying, review the Arizona Department of Education’s list of ESA-eligible expenses at azed.gov/esa to ensure the resources you need align with program allowances.
- Connect with experienced families: Reach out to local homeschool groups or ESA networks to hear firsthand experiences about the transition from traditional homeschooling to ESA participation.
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