Funding sources for Des Moines-area private school families
11 programs and aid sources for families in Polk, Dallas, Warren and Madison counties, with who qualifies, what each pays and the dates ahead.
Students First Education Savings Account (ESA)
Iowa's Students First ESA, often called the Iowa school voucher, deposits $8,148 for 2026-27 into an Odyssey account for any Iowa K-12 student who attends an accredited nonpublic school full time. No income test applies.
Who qualifies →Window closes Nov 15Half-Year ESA (Spring 2027 Start)
New for 2026-27: families who move to an accredited private school for the spring semester can apply October 15 to November 15, 2026 for a $4,074 half-year ESA.
Who qualifies →Up to $500 per childIowa Tuition and Textbook Tax Credit
A state income tax credit of 25 percent of the first $2,000 a parent pays per child for tuition, textbooks and school fees, worth up to $500. It also works for homeschooling, but not for costs paid with ESA money.
Who qualifies →Need-based · ≤400% FPLSchool Tuition Organization (STO) Grants
Iowa's STOs collect donations that earn donors a 75 percent state tax credit and hand the money to families at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as tuition grants at accredited nonpublic schools.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic Tuition Organization (Diocese of Des Moines)
The Diocese of Des Moines' STO, created in 2006, gave $2.7 million in tuition grants to 1,879 students across its 16 Catholic schools, according to its September 2026 report.
Who qualifies →New · 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (Iowa, 2027)
Governor Reynolds opted Iowa into the new federal education tax credit on January 5, 2026. From 2027, donors get up to $1,700 back, dollar for dollar, for gifts to approved scholarship granting organizations.
Who qualifies →Free · Age 4Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP)
Iowa's state-funded preschool for four-year-olds: at least 10 hours a week with a licensed teacher, offered by school districts directly or through community partners that can include faith-based and nonpublic programs.
Who qualifies →Income-based · to age 13Child Care Assistance (Iowa HHS)
Iowa HHS subsidizes child care for working or studying parents: initial eligibility up to 160% of the federal poverty level, or 200% for a child with special needs, for children under 13 (under 19 with special needs).
Who qualifies →Grades 11-12PSEO College Courses (Senior Year Plus)
Iowa's Postsecondary Enrollment Options program lets juniors and seniors at accredited nonpublic schools, and gifted 9th and 10th graders, take nonsectarian college courses their school does not offer, for high school and college credit.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Parish rates, sibling discounts, need-based aid and work-study offered by the school itself, usually the last layer after the ESA and any STO grant.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
Privately funded help, offered through participating church-run and community schools around Des Moines, toward part of the balance left after the ESA and other aid. Terms are confirmed during the funding check.
Who qualifies →Upcoming dates
- Oct 15 – Nov 15, 2026Half-year Students First ESA application window for 2026-27 (closes 11:59 p.m. Nov 15); worth $4,074 for the spring semester
- Dec 1, 2026Spring-semester ESA deposits, including first half-year awards, become available in Odyssey
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit starts; Iowa opted in on January 5, 2026
- Jan 14, 2027Half-year ESA enrollment and tuition-payment deadline in the Odyssey portal (11:59 p.m.); eligibility is finalized January 15
- Jan 1 – Jun 30, 2027Iowa Code allows 2027-28 full-year ESA requests in this span; the state ran the 2026-27 window April 16 to June 30, so watch for the announced 2027-28 dates
Which Iowa program does what?
| Program | Who runs it | Income test | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students First ESA | Iowa DOE with Odyssey | None | $8,148 per K-12 student |
| STO grants | Each school tuition organization | At or below 400% of poverty | Need-based grant |
| Tuition and textbook credit | Iowa Department of Revenue | None | Up to $500 per child on the tax return |
| SWVPP | School districts and partners | None | 10+ hours of preschool a week |
| Child Care Assistance | Iowa HHS | 160% of poverty at entry | Child care subsidy |
See what your family can use this year
Two minutes, five questions. A School Funding Advisor calls back with your ESA, grant and credit options and the dates that apply.