Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account

At Miacademy, we’ve been hard at work partnering with various state funding agencies across the country. Our goal is to make a quality education accessible for every student, and we’re accomplishing our goal one state at a time. 

If you’re homeschooling in Montana, we have some exciting news to share with you! 

As of 2024, Miacademy is now an approved reimbursement for the Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account (ESA) in Montana! 

Families in Montana can now access Miacademy’s accredited online homeschool curriculum with a reimbursement provided by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Visit the Montana Special Needs Equal Opportunity ESA

What Is the Montana Special Needs ESA? 

The Montana Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account (ESA) Program is designed to create educational equality for children with disabilities. With this program, parents are able to access specialized resources for their student’s needs, promoting educational equality and individual academic success.

Currently, ESA funding covers educational expenses, such as tuition, tutoring, therapy, and educational materials. The program also provides options for students who may require specialized educational settings or services that are not available in traditional public schools. All ESA accounts are funded through the State of Montana and operate within specific guidelines to ensure transparency and proper usage of funding.

At this time, the available funding ranges between $5,000-$8,000 per family. These amounts are determined by the ANB formula for students, which varies by district. You can find an estimate for your reward by viewing the Education Savings Account table.

You may find a preliminary estimated amount per student per district on this table entitled: Education Savings Account Student.

Who Qualifies for the ESA in Montana?

To receive the Equal Opportunity ESA, students must:

  • Be identified as having a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
  • Be at least 5 but no older than 19 by September 10 for the school year
  • Not currently enrolled in a  school for youth in correctional programs or for the deaf and blind in Montana

In addition, students must meet one of the following: 

  • Was counted during the previous school year for purposes of school district ANB funding
  • Was enrolled during the previous school year in a school for youth in correctional programs or for the deaf and blind in Montana
  • Did not reside in the state in the previous school year
  • Is eligible to enter kindergarten

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will become available on the ESA website beginning May 1, 2024. Applications will close on Jun 1, 2024. The application will require the following: 

  •  Names of parent and student
  • Student’s DOB
  • Student’s state identification number (available from the resident school district)
  • Parent’s contact information
  • Copy of IEP/ IDEA designation 
  • Name of current school district, as well as any other schools attended

Upon acceptance, families will be able to sign their contract with OPI and will receive instructions on the ESA reimbursement process.

How Do I Get Miacademy with the Montana ESA?

After you’ve been approved, all you need to do is sign up for Miacademy and submit the invoice for reimbursement. You may submit invoices for reimbursement up to once a month. Qualified reimbursements include: 

  • Online or distance learning programs
  • Tutoring
  • Curricula
  • Textbooks, software, or other supplemental materials
  • Up to $50 worth of consumable materials per year (markers, pencils, paper, etc.)
  • Educational therapies and services from licensed providers
  • State or nationally-normed assessments
  • Tuition or co-op fees
  • Transportation to approved educational services
  • Any other educational expense with approval from the superintendent of public instruction

For a full list of allowable expenses, responsibilities, and requirements, check out Section 4 of House Bill 393, or visit the scholarship page’s FAQ. 

If you have any questions about how Miacademy and MiaPrep can help you on your Montana homeschooling journey, feel free to chat with one of our helpful customer service agents! They’ll be happy to help you find the answers you need. 

FAQ

How much is the Montana ESA? 

Montana’s Education Savings Account program is reserved for students with disabilities, to help create equal educational opportunities. ESA amounts range from $5,000-$8,000, depending on your resident district’s ANB formula.

Information accurate as of: 04/19/2024 . The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.