Special Needs ESA Mid-Year Lottery Announced

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The Mississippi Department of Education announced today that a mid-year lottery for the Special Needs Education Scholarship Account (ESA) will be held on Thursday, December 13, to award approximately 41 available scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year.

This year the law funded 428 scholarships and there are over 200 applicants on the wait list today. Demand for the program continues to outpace available slots and many families will be forced to continue waiting for the Legislature to expand the program.

The value of the scholarship this year is $6,594. Families who wish to apply for the ESA but have yet to do so must submit applications by December 11 to be included in the lottery. Award letters will be mailed December 14.

Students who have received an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in the past five years are eligible. More information on eligibility, how to apply, and allowable expenses can be found here.

To confirm your position on the wait list, call the Office of Special Education at (601) 359-3498.