Educational choice has changed what is possible for thousands of Iowa families, including families in school communities like ours. Those opportunities did not emerge on their own. They were created through public policy, and their future will be shaped by the people Iowans elect.
That is why we encourage every eligible parent, grandparent, staff member, and student in our school community to register, become informed, and vote in every election.
Advantages of the Students First ESA Program
Iowa’s Students First Education Savings Account program was signed into law in January 2023 and is now fully phased in. Iowa resident students in kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible regardless of family income when they apply, are approved, and enroll full-time in an accredited nonpublic school – including Central, Trinity, Lutheran Interparish, and Christ Lutheran Schools.
For the 2026–27 school year, each participating student receives $8,148 that may be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified educational expenses.
Participation has grown from 16,757 students in the program’s first year to 41,044 students during the 2025–26 school year. For many Iowa families, including families in communities like ours, that support has made Christian education more financially accessible.
Who Shapes the Program’s Future?
The governor and members of the Iowa Legislature have the most direct influence over the Students First ESA program. They establish the state funding amount that determines the annual ESA allocation, and they can change the program’s eligibility requirements, funding structure, and other rules through legislation.
Federal officials do not control Iowa’s ESA program, but decisions made in Washington can still affect nonpublic schools through federal education policy, tax policy, religious-liberty protections, and other issues.
In 2026, Iowans will elect a governor, members of Congress, and state lawmakers. As you evaluate the candidates, consider where they stand on educational choice and the policies affecting Iowa’s nonpublic schools. Examine their positions, records, and public statements, and then vote according to your convictions and priorities.
Elections can be decided by narrow margins. Every eligible voter in our school community has an opportunity to help shape the policies that will affect students and families in the years ahead.
A Few Simple Steps to Prepare
Check your voter registration through the Iowa Secretary of State’s official website.
Mark your calendar for Election Day on November 3.
Confirm your polling location, particularly if you have recently moved.
Learn where the candidates stand on educational choice and other issues important to your family.
Encourage other eligible members of our school community to become informed and participate.
Our Shared Responsibility
Voting for school choice is advocating for Christian education. The educational choices available to Iowa families today were shaped through the democratic process, and future elections will help determine what comes next.
We may not agree on every issue or every candidate, but we can agree on the importance of informed participation. Our school community should understand what is at stake, carefully evaluate the candidates, and make its voice heard on November 3.
– Erin Zellers
Director of Development
