Vouchers

Iowa lawmakers in 2023 approved a program of vouchers to subsidize private — and in almost all cases religious — education. 

In the program's first year, 2023-24, the "Education Savings Accounts" were limited to children in families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level ($90,000 for a family of four). That year, 16,757 students used a voucher toward their attendance at a private school, and the state of Iowa spent $128 million on the program. 

In program's second year, 2024-25, the income limit for vouchers were was boosted to 400% of the federal poverty level ($128,600 for a family of four). That year, 27,866 students used vouchers, and the state spent about $180 million on the program.

Data on voucher use for the 2025-26 school year — the first with no income limits — is not yet available, but state lawmakers appropriated $315 million for the program for the year. Check back here for updated data when the state releases it. 

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