Tuition Free
Scholarships
Arizona has numerous scholarships available that can help pay for tuition to Polaris Academy.
Polaris Academy aims to Elevate education standards for autistic and neurodivergent children with unique curriculum and learning opportunities. To maintain those standards the tuition per student is currently $32,000 per year.
You may qualify for Free Tuition by applying for:
- An Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) offered through the Arizona Department of Education; or
- One or more private scholarships offered through our partner School Tuition Organizations (STO’s)
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts
Polaris is committed to helping parents with the process of completing the ESA Application.
Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
Arizona was the first state in the country to create and utilize Empowerment Scholarship Accounts in 2011. From the success of the Arizona ESA program, several additional states have since adopted similar programs with more on the way.
ESA’s are administered by the Arizona Department of Education and thousands of new participants are added each year. ESA participants receive 90% of the funds allocated to their public school district to apply towards qualified private school tuition or home-based education.
Because the education tract for autistic and neurodivergent children is not always predictable, ESA funds can be used until the age of 22. The ESA award for students with autism typically covers the tuition requirements at Polaris Academy.
ESA Requirements:
- Student must be at least 5 years of age as of January 1st of the application year
- Parent must provide Proof of Residency (ie: Driver’s license, property tax or utility bill, etc.)
- Requires a Birth Certificate with student’s name and parent applying
- Must have ONE of the following from an Arizona public school:
-
o MET/Evaluation Report
o Individualized Education Program (IEP)
o 504 Plan
Student Tuition Organizations (STO’s)
School Tuition Organizations are private non-profit groups formed to receive tax credits from individual and corporate donors that can be used to fund scholarships for students wishing to attend private schools in Arizona.
Donors receive a qualified tax credit that applies towards income tax obligations, and STO’s use the donated funds as scholarships for students who don’t qualify for or otherwise utilize ESA funding.
You can apply for multiple scholarships from more than one STO, however you cannot use both an STO and an ESA at the same time.
Polaris Academy is associated with multiple School Tuition Organizations, and the requirements for applying vary from one STO to another. Staff at Polaris Academy can assist parents in applying with our associated STO groups.