Language Translation
  Close Menu

INESA Families

What does your ideal educational environment look like?

Create it with a school choice scholarship for K-12 special needs students and their siblings!

$6,735

Avg. SPED scholarship amount

$6,510

Avg. sibling scholarship amount

201

# of testimonials and success stories (and climbing!)

854

# of approved providers

What are the qualifications for Indiana’s ESA?

The prospective student must:

  • Have a disability that requires special education services (or be the sibling of an approved INESA student)
  • Be 5-22 years of age (by 10/1 of school year)
  • Be a resident of Indiana
  • Be part of a household with income that does not exceed 400% of the amount required to qualify for the free and reduced price lunch schedule. (2025-2026 school year)

What are the options for Indiana’s ESA?

Since the goal is for the parent to be able to customize education to the needs of the student, many pre-approved opportunities are available to you.

Options include:

  • A participating private school
    • Excluded: Virtual, digital, online schools
  • An individual course or program
    • Excluded: Distant learning courses
    • Excluded: Online courses
  • A licensed therapist or facility
  • A tutor or tutoring company
  • Home education

Visit our interactive map below to find approved schools and providers near you.

Curriculum vendors can be found in ClassWallet once you’re approved and registered with ClassWallet.

If you have a preferred school, provider, or curriculum vendor that is not yet approved, you can submit a request.

What are the requirements for the Indiana Education Scholarship Account (INESA)?

You will need to submit the following documents to be considered for INESA. Upon acceptance and enrollment, you will need to sign the Parent Agreement. Finally, your student will be required to participate in state testing.

Documents needed for the Indiana ESA:

  • A completed copy of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Service Plan (SP), or ESA Service Plan (IEP + ESA SP).
  • Proof of residency (recent utility bill, photo i.d., etc.)
  • Proof of income (1040, W-2, etc.)
  • Birth certificate

You may reach out to Indiana Department of Education Office Special Education or  IN*Source if you need further support.

State Testing for the Indiana ESA:

Your student may test with a private school if it offers the appropriate state testing, or you can make arrangements with an ESA testing provider below. You should budget a portion of your INESA funding for state testing, or you may choose to pay out-of-pocket instead.

State Testing Requirements by Grade Level

ESA state testing requirements

ESA Testing Partners - Now with 50 testing locations across the state!

Indiana Digital Learning School is a 3rd party ESA-approved testing provider.

IDLS schedules and administers state tests for ESA students. Questions relating to your student's testing accommodations should begin with your student's school district.

Testing Locations: Anderson, Angola, Bedford, Bloomington, Clarksville, Columbus, Elkhart, Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Gary, Greensburg, Greenwood, Indy West, Indy North, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lawrence, Madison, Merrillville, Michigan City, Muncie, Munster, Plainfield, Portage, Richmond, Salem, Seymour, South Bend, Terre Haute, Valparaiso, Warsaw, Washington.

  • WIDA Access (Students identified as English Language Learning Students)- Registration Closes December 17th
  • IREAD-3 - Registration Closes February 2nd
  • ILEARN (Grades 3-8) - Registration Closes March 23rd
  • ILEARN Biology (High School Student must be enrolled in a Biology course) - Registration Closes March 23rd
  • I AM (Students in Grades 3-8 & 10 who are identified as Alternate Assessment) -Registration Closes March 23rd
  • SAT (Grade 11) -Registration Closes December 17th

INDLS ESA Testing Schedule and Fees

IDLS - Testing Fees:

  • WIDA/SAT/IREAD: $400 per student/per test when completed on the scheduled date at the assigned location
  • ILEARN/IAM: $550 per student/per test when completed on a scheduled date at the assigned location $1,000 per student/per test when completed at a off-location on a requested date.

* No show or cancellation, without 24-hour notice, the original fee will be charged.

  • $400 - WIDA/SAT/IREAD - scheduled location
  • $ 550 - ILearn/IAM - scheduled location
  • $1,000 - one off location
  • $1,000 - one off location

Testing Interest Form

Braintree Educational Services - State Testing Vendor

  • IREAD (grades 2-3)
  • ILEARN (grades 3-8)
  • ILEARN Biology (High school students currently taking Biology)
  • WIDA ELL
IREAD testing window (March 2-13) - Complete this interest form no later than January 31. Cities: Goshen/Elkhart, South Bend, Valparaiso, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and Muncie

We will contact you via email to schedule your testing location. Expect contact from our team in late March or early April for ILEARN.

ILEARN 3-8 + Biology testing window (April 13-May 8) - Complete this interest form no later than March 15. Cities: Goshen/Elkhart, South Bend, Valparaiso, Bloomington, Sellersburg, Muncie, Lafayette, and Fort Wayne

We will contact you via email to schedule your testing location. Expect contact from our team in February for IREAD

Braintree Educational Services - Testing Fees

When a student participates in a Braintree Educational Services scheduled group test session

  • IREAD (grades 2-3) per testing window - $350
  • ILEARN (grades 3-8) per testing window - $600
  • ILEARN (Biology) per testing window - $350
  • WIDA per testing window - $350
When a student participates in a Braintree Educational Services scheduled individual test session
  • IREAD (grades 2-3) per testing window - $1000
  • ILEARN (grades 3-8) per testing window - $1000
  • ILEARN (Biology) per testing window - $1000
  • WIDA per testing window - $1000

Testing Interest Form

The Crossing School of Business & Entrepreneurship - State Testing

Private, accredited school, providing State Testing for ESA students grades 9, 10, 11, 12 (ONLY).

Testing Site locations: Anderson, Elkhart, Frankfort, Fort Wayne, Hammond, Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Muncie

Crossing - Testing Fees: $100 per student for all testing

Fall ILEARN (Biology Only):

Primary Window: December 1 - December 12

Makeup Window: December 15 - December 19

WIDA:

Primary Window: January 12 - February 20

Makeup Window: February 23 - February 27

SAT

Primary Window: March 2 - March 6

Makeup Window: March 9 - March 13

Spring ILEARN (Biology Only):

Primary Window: April 13 - May 1

Makeup Window: May 4 - May 15

Testing Service Fees and Schedule

Testing Interest Form

Journey Academy

Private, accredited school providing State Testing for ESA students grades 2-8.

School Address: 4121 Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN 46360

K-8 testing provider

ESA Testing Schedule and Fees

Spring Administration

  • IREAD March 2 – March 13, 2026
  • I AM March 30 – May 8, 2026
  • ILEARN 3-8 April 13 – May 8, 2026

Summer Administration

  • IREAD May 11 – June 26, 2026

Journey Academy - Testing Fees:

$350 per student/per testing window when completed on scheduled date(s) at the assigned location.

***If no show or cancellation, without 24-hour notice, the original fee will be charged.

Scheduling contact: info@journeyacad.com or call 219-402-7322

Register Here

Colonial Christian School

Private, accredited school, providing State Testing for ESA students, grades 3-8.

ESA Testing Schedule and Fee 

When completed on scheduled date(s):

  • ILEARN (grades 3-8) per testing window - $600 fee

When scheduled as a one-on-one or small group needs-based request:

  • ILEARN (grades 3-8) per testing window - $1,000 fee

All testing will take place on Colonial Christian School grounds.

Address8140 Union Chapel Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46240

To inquire about openings, complete interest form below.

Interest Form

  • Updated Testing Guidance

    Senate Bill 1 passed by lawmakers and signed by the Governor in March 2024 requires students be retained in grade three if they have not received a passes scores on the IREAD evaluation.  Also students requires all schools to administer the IREAD test to students in the second grade, beginning in the 2024-25 school year.

    What does this mean for ESA students?

    • ESA second grade students will need to complete IREAD  tests.
    • Legislation regarding retention and summer school does not apply to ESA educate at home students, non-accredited private school students, nor private schools with national or regional accreditation agency that is recognized by the Indiana State Board of Education.
    • Students grade 7 and below who are associated with a state-accredited private school would be considered for retention unless receiving a general certificate of education (GCE) after spring and summer IREAD attempts and the school would need to offer summer school opportunities. Students who do not pass IREAD, whether promoted or not, continue to be reassessed in the spring and summer until they pass or are promoted to grade 7.
    • The legislation does not apply to ILEARN.
  • State Testing FAQs

Indiana ESA Eligibility Questions

Are public school students eligible for INESA?

Public school students are eligible to apply for INESA if they meet the requirements above.

If the student is accepted into the INESA program, the parent must choose either the public school or INESA. The student may not be enrolled in both simultaneously.

Access Indiana - ESA Portal

Yes! Public school students can apply for the ESA.

Yes! Choice Scholarship students can apply for the ESA.

Can Choice Scholarship (voucher) students apply for the ESA?

Choice Scholarship students are eligible to apply for INESA if they meet the requirements above.

If the student is accepted into the INESA program, the parent must choose either the Choice Scholarship or INESA. The student may not be funded in both simultaneously.

Access Indiana - ESA Portal

Can homeschoolers get ESA funding in Indiana?

Homeschoolers are eligible to apply for INESA if they meet the above requirements.

If the student is accepted into the INESA program, and the parent chooses to enroll, the student is no longer considered to be an independent homeschooler.

Access Indiana - ESA Portal

Yes! Homeschoolers can apply for the ESA.


Like, Subscribe, and Follow for Updates!

Office Hours

Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
ESA@tos.in.gov
(317) 232-0723