What is a qualified school?

A qualified school refers to a nonpublic school accredited by either the state board or a national or regional accreditation agency that is recognized by the state board:

(1) to which an eligible student is required to pay tuition to attend; and

(2) that agrees to enroll an eligible student

The following 3rd party accreditation organizations are recognized by the State Board of Education:

• Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventists Schools, Colleges, and Universities (AASDAS)
• American Association of Christian Schools (AACS)
• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
• Christian Schools International (CSI)
• Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
• International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA)
• National Lutheran Schools Accreditation (NLSA)
• Cognia/AdvancED
• Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACSWASC)
• Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS)

To be considered a qualified school, do I have to administer statewide assessments?

Each qualified school that is a participating entity that accepts payments for tuition made from an account under the program shall administer to its eligible students, for the applicable grade levels as provided under IC 20-32-5.1, the statewide assessment unless otherwise prescribed by the eligible student’s:

(1) individualized education program;

(2) service plan developed under 511 IAC 7-34;

(3) choice special education plan developed under 511 IAC 7-49; or

(4) plan developed under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794.

What types of expenses are qualified?

• Educational services
• Tuition and fees at an approved non-public school
• Private tutoring
• Paraprofessionals or educational aides
• Services or therapies as prescribed
• Tuition and fees to attend training programs and camps focusing on vocational, academic, life, independence, or soft job skills
• Services contracted for and provided by an approved charter, magnet, public or non-public school, such as individual classes, extracurricular activities, or additional programs, resources, or staffing as part of the student’s IEP or ISP
• Fee for service transportation to and from approved provider
• Fees for certain student assessments and examinations
• Fees for the management of the Indiana ESA account