Special Needs ESA Lottery Announced

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The Mississippi Department of Education announced yesterday that a lottery for the Special Needs Education Scholarship Account (ESA) will be held on Friday, July 6, to award approximately 8 scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year.

This year the law funded 411 scholarships and as of yesterday, 403 have been awarded to returning students. Therefore, 8 scholarships are currently available for the upcoming year. There are 188 applicants on the waiting 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 will be $6,740. Families who wish to apply for the upcoming school year but have yet to do so must apply before next Friday.

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 waitlist, call the Office of Special Education at (601) 359-3498 to speak to Rhonda Brooks.