Wyoming families who were unable to submit an application during the initial enrollment window now have a second chance to secure funding through the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The Wyoming Department of Education announced that 89 spots remain for the 2026‑27 school year, and applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, through 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.
How the ESA program works
The ESA program, created in 2024 and expanded by the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act, provides eligible students with up to $7,000 per year to cover approved educational expenses. Those expenses include private school tuition, tutoring services, curriculum materials and extracurricular activities. The funds are deposited directly into a parent‑controlled account, giving families the flexibility to choose the educational setting that best fits their child’s needs.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, a student must reside in Wyoming and be enrolled outside the public school system. Pre‑kindergarten applicants must be four years old by Aug. 1, 2026, and come from households earning no more than 250% of the federal poverty level—approximately $80,375 annually for a family of four. Kindergarten through 12th‑grade applicants must be at least five years old and younger than 21 by Aug. 1, 2026.
Application process
Applicants should verify that their Odyssey parent portal accounts are active before beginning the application. Incomplete or pending applications will not be counted as submitted. Families with a child already enrolled in the ESA program may receive priority for siblings, but must submit a separate sibling form within 24 hours of the primary application.
All applications will be reviewed from Oct. 30 through Nov. 13. Selected families will be notified beginning Nov. 16 and must accept their spot by Nov. 22. Funding for newly approved accounts is scheduled to begin on Dec. 10.
What this means for Wyoming families
State officials emphasized that the supplemental application period is intended to fill the remaining slots for the current school year, and there will be no waitlist once the 89 positions are awarded. The program continues to support school choice, allowing parents to direct public funds toward the educational environment they deem most appropriate for their children.
Families interested in applying should gather proof of residency and age documentation ahead of time to avoid delays. For additional information or assistance, parents can contact the Wyoming Department of Education or visit the ESA section of the Odyssey portal.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
