Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program

To establish eligibility, a student must reside in Mississippi and have had an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP) within the past three years and maintained eligibility. While participating in this program, students are not eligible for either a Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship or a Nate Rogers Scholarship. Participating students are automatically approved to participate the following year. Once enrolled in the program, participating parents do not need to reapply for funding if their students remain outside of the public school system. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_

Education savings account funds may pay for tuition and academic fees at eligible private schools; textbooks related to academic coursework; tutoring provided by a licensed or certified provider; testing fees for nationally norm-referenced testing or Advanced Placement exams; curriculum, including required supplemental materials; licensed therapy services; tuition and fees for dual-enrollment courses at a postsecondary institution for a high school student; textbooks for dual-enrollment courses; consumable school supplies up to $50 annually; and essential computer hardware and software. Participation in a home instruction program is not permitted. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_

Funding for the program is provided by an annual legislative appropriation, currently at $3 million. The max award amount was set at $6,500 in 2015–2016, based on the Mississippi Student Funding Formula (MSFF) base student cost–funding amount provided by the state to public schools, and is subject to annual increases or decreases by the same proportion as MSFF. The Office of Special Education calculates the amount each spring as it varies based upon the availability of funds and number of participants. For the 2024–2025 school year, the maximum reimbursement was $7,829. Due to the limited funding, eligible applicants may be placed on a waitlist. Funds will be paid quarterly to the parent, or if approved by the parent, to an educational service provider, on a reimbursement basis. The parent must submit a reimbursement request with documentation. No lump sum reimbursements are permitted. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_

No legal challenges have been filed against the program. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_