Education (Student Financial Aid)

introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1306: ESAs; expenditures; enrollment; limitations

SB 1306 expands Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program to allow more families to use public funds for private education. It adds new eligibility requirements: students must either attend public school full-time for most of the prior year (with a transfer agreement) or provide proof of family income below $200,000 (adjusted annually after 2027). The bill specifies that ESA funds can cover tuition at qualified schools, textbooks, educational therapies, tutoring, online programs, standardized tests, and postsecondary costs, but prohibits using funds for school tuition organizations concurrently. This directly affects Arizona families with school-aged children meeting the income or attendance criteria, starting in 2027.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRedirects public education funds to private schools via ESAs, reducing state funding for public schools as a core budget expenditure.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExpands public funding for private education via ESAs, diverting resources from public schools and weakening public education funding access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2626: child care workforce; scholarship program

HB 2626 creates a state-funded scholarship program for child care workers in Arizona earning below 85% of the state median income. It directly affects teachers, educators, and support staff at department-contracted child care providers, preschools, kindergartens, and K-12 schools. The program provides $200 million in state funding for fiscal year 2026-2027, with scholarship money paid directly to child care providers (not individual workers) on a first-come, first-served basis. This aims to support workforce retention by covering costs for eligible providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $200M state funding for child care workforce program, directly increasing public service expenditure under budget & taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $200M state funding for child care workers in K-12 settings, directly supporting educators' compensation and retention through provider-funded scholarships.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds child care workers via $200M scholarship program for low-income providers, directly supporting wages and workforce stability in labor sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HCR 2027: in-state student status; postsecondary education

HCR 2027 would change Arizona's rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at public universities and community colleges. To qualify as an in-state student for tuition purposes starting July 1, 2027, students must have completed at least two years of K-12 education in Arizona (in public, private, or homeschool settings, or via an Arizona scholarship program), graduated from an Arizona high school or earned an Arizona high school equivalency diploma, and be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or hold lawful immigration status. Community colleges would be required to deny in-state tuition rates to students who do not meet these new criteria. The bill is a voter-approved measure, currently awaiting approval in the next general election.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill adds K-12 education requirement for in-state tuition, restricting access to lower-cost higher education for non-compliant students.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires U.S. citizenship/legal residency for in-state tuition, restricting access to education services for non-citizens and undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1361: empowerment scholarship accounts; postsecondary education

SB 1361 creates Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, providing state-funded scholarships for students to use at approved educational providers. It directly affects Arizona students and their parents, who must sign agreements to use funds only for specific educational expenses like tuition at qualified schools, textbooks, tutoring, special education services (for eligible students), and postsecondary education costs. Key provisions include restrictions on concurrent use with school tuition organizations, requirements for approved providers (e.g., fingerprinted staff), and annual eligibility reviews for students nearing age 22. The bill expands educational options beyond traditional public schools while specifying allowable uses of funds through detailed expense categories.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded scholarships for K-12 and postsecondary education, expanding access and providing direct funding for educational expenses like tuition, textbooks, and special education services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2553: federal tax credit; authorization; scholarships..

HB 2553 authorizes Arizona to participate in a federal tax credit program (under Internal Revenue Code section 25F) that allows individuals to claim a tax credit for contributions to certified scholarship organizations. It requires the Arizona Department of Education to certify nonprofit scholarship organizations meeting federal standards and maintain a public list of certified organizations by January 1 each year. Starting December 31, 2026, these certified organizations may provide scholarships for elementary or secondary education expenses to eligible students, in alignment with federal law. The bill directly affects Arizona residents who contribute to scholarship programs and the nonprofit organizations administering them.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes tax credit for scholarship contributions, providing tax relief to contributors, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income families.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credits for scholarship contributions, expanding educational access through private funding mechanisms for K-12 students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1360: ESAs; contract renewal; account closure

SB 1360 amends Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program to clarify eligible uses of funds and renewal requirements. It specifies that ESA funds can cover tuition at qualified schools, textbooks, educational therapies, tutoring, online programs, transportation, and certain postsecondary expenses. Parents must agree not to use other scholarships concurrently and must complete annual education plans for students nearing age 22 to maintain eligibility. The bill directly affects Arizona parents enrolled in the ESA program who receive state-funded scholarship accounts for their children's education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by broadening ESA fund uses to include tuition, therapies, tutoring, and postsecondary expenses, directly increasing family choice in education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2580: ESAs; micro-schools; tutors; safety; rules.

HB 2580 defines key terms for Arizona's education scholarship programs, primarily affecting students and micro-schools. It establishes eligibility criteria for "qualified students" (including those with disabilities, from low-performing schools, military families, or Indigenous communities) and defines "micro-schools" as tuition-charging entities employing instructors for specific subjects. The bill sets requirements for annual education plans, curriculum standards, and enrollment rules for scholarship programs. It does not create new funding but clarifies program mechanics for existing scholarship accounts. This definitional work prepares the framework for how Arizona's education savings accounts will operate.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access via ESAs for underserved groups including disabled students, low-performing school attendees, military families, and Indigenous communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Student Financial Aid

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passed · Arizona · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 2500: supplemental appropriation; ESA administration

HB 2500 provides an additional $1,000,000 and 12 full-time positions from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Arizona superintendent of public instruction. This funding is specifically for administering the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which allows families to use public funds for private school tuition or educational services. The bill directly affects the superintendent's office and the ESA program's operations, adding resources to manage the existing scholarship initiative. It does not change eligibility or benefit amounts but ensures the program has dedicated staffing and funding for administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $1M from state general fund to administer ESA program, increasing state funding for educational choice.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds ESA administration to expand school choice access, directly advancing educational access through voucher program operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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signed · Arizona · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2255: teachers academy; community college students

HB 2255 establishes Arizona's Teachers Academy to support students pursuing teaching careers. Community college students in teacher preparation programs can receive scholarships covering tuition and fees for up to two years (four semesters) if they agree to teach in Arizona public schools for one year per year of scholarship support. The program prioritizes high-demand areas like special education, STEM, rural schools, and low-income districts, with scholarships requiring repayment if the teaching commitment isn't fulfilled. The initiative is funded through state appropriations and aims to address teacher shortages by linking financial aid to service in Arizona schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships for teacher prep students with service requirements, prioritizing high-demand education areas to strengthen teaching workforce and address shortages in critical schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2297: financial aid; private scholarships; requirements

HB 2297, the "Arizona Ban on Scholarship Displacement Act of 2026," prevents Arizona public colleges and universities from reducing a student's free financial aid (like grants or scholarships not requiring repayment) if the student receives a private scholarship. Specifically, institutions cannot lower gift aid because of a private scholarship, except when the gift aid exceeds the student's actual cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, living expenses, etc.). The bill also prohibits schools from factoring private scholarships into financial aid decisions. It directly affects Arizona public universities and community colleges (under the Arizona Board of Regents or community college system) and students receiving private scholarships from non-governmental sources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents public colleges from reducing student aid when private scholarships are received, expanding access to financial support without penalty.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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