How to become an ESA vendor

Education Savings Accounts now move $5.75 billion+ a year to families across 18 states, and that money is spent with approved vendors — microschools, tutors, therapists and resource sellers. Here’s how to register, invoice correctly, and get paid.

1. Confirm you’re an eligible provider

Most ESA programs approve microschools, tutoring businesses, therapy practices (OT, speech, ABA), and sellers of curriculum and educational products. Some services require a credential — Texas tutors need a Texas Educator Certificate; licensed therapies need a state license.

2. Register with your state’s program and rail

You register with the state program, then onboard with its payment rail. Three rails handle most of the country:

• ClassWallet — the digital wallet used by Arizona, Utah, Arkansas and others (~2.5% vendor fee).
• Odyssey — program manager and marketplace for Texas and Iowa.
• Step Up For Students — runs Florida’s scholarships and the MyScholarShop marketplace.

3. Invoice so you actually get paid

The biggest mistake new vendors make is sending a generic receipt. Programs require an itemised invoice with the student name, account-holder, service dates, educational subject, your credentials, and amounts. Miss one field and the invoice is rejected. Use the free invoice generator →

4. Stay audit-ready

Keep invoices, service records and curriculum notes per student. Programs review vendors, and being able to produce clean records on request is what keeps the funds flowing.

Pick your state

• How to become an ESA vendor in Texas — Education Freedom Accounts (Odyssey)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Arizona — Empowerment Scholarship Account (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Florida — Family Empowerment Scholarship (Step Up For Students)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Iowa — Students First Education Savings Accounts (Odyssey)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Utah — Utah Fits All Scholarship (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Arkansas — Children's Educational Freedom Account (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Tennessee — Education Freedom Scholarship (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in West Virginia — Hope Scholarship (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in North Carolina — Education Student Accounts (ESA+) (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Indiana — Education Scholarship Account (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in New Hampshire — Education Freedom Account (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Ohio — Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) (Merit (Other))
• How to become an ESA vendor in Georgia — Georgia Promise Scholarship (Odyssey)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Alabama — CHOOSE Act (ClassWallet)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Louisiana — LA GATOR Scholarship Program (Odyssey)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Wyoming — Wyoming Education Savings Account Program (Odyssey)
• How to become an ESA vendor in Missouri — Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (MOScholars) (Odyssey)
• How to become an ESA vendor in South Carolina — Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ClassWallet)

FAQ

What is an ESA vendor?

An ESA vendor (or approved service provider) is a business families can spend their Education Savings Account funds with — microschools, tutors, therapists, and curriculum or resource sellers. You register with your state's program and its payment rail (ClassWallet, Odyssey or Step Up For Students).

How do ESA vendors get paid?

Families either pay you directly through the rail or you submit an itemised invoice they approve. Funds are deposited into your business bank account. Programs reject invoices missing required details, which is the most common cause of payment delays.

Do I need a teaching license to be an ESA vendor?

It depends on the state and service. Texas requires academic tutors to hold a Texas Educator Certificate; Arizona requires tutoring vendors to attest every instructor holds at least a high-school diploma. Check your state's rules.