Can ESA money cover AP exams and college entrance tests for an Iowa high schooler?
Yes. Standardized test fees, Advanced Placement exams and exams related to postsecondary admission or credentialing are eligible, as is approved vocational and life-skills education from a credentialed provider.
What are the rules for exams, ap tests and vocational training?
- Standardized test fees, AP exams and admission or credentialing exams.
- Vocational and life skills education from a provider approved by the Department of Education or another state agency.
What is not allowed in this area?
- Non-school classes
- Camps of any kind (summer, holiday, athletic)
What does this mean for a Des Moines-area family?
For college credit itself, juniors and seniors at accredited schools can also use Iowa's PSEO program, which is separate from the ESA.
| It is | It isn't |
|---|---|
| Paid from money left after tuition and fees | Paid before tuition |
| Bought through the Odyssey Marketplace or billed by the school | Reimbursed when bought at another store |
| Checked against the state's expense list | A guarantee that every item will be approved |
Sources: Iowa Department of Education, "Iowa's Students First Act ESA Program: Eligible and Ineligible Expenses" (educate.iowa.gov/media/8595, updated May 25, 2023 and still linked from the ESA program page in October 2026); Iowa Code section 257.11B(1)(b); Iowa Administrative Code 281-20.1(6); Odyssey Iowa help center. This is a summary, not legal advice; Odyssey and the Department decide individual purchases, and a parent may appeal a decision to the State Board of Education within 30 days.