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Is a paraprofessional / educational aide ESA eligible in Arizona?
Only for students with a disability. A paraprofessional / educational aide is allowable only for ESA students with an IEP, MET Report, 504 Plan, or ESA-purpose IEE on file, with category-specific supporting documentation.
Documentation required
- Credential: associate degree+, 60+ college credit hours, or passing ACT WorkKeys / ParaEducator / Praxis ParaPro (official scores)
When ESA covers a paraprofessional or educational aide
A paraprofessional or educational aide is a disability-track service, available for students with a qualifying designation. ADE also sets a credential floor for the aide: an associate degree or higher, 60-plus college credit hours, or a passing score on the ACT WorkKeys, ParaEducator, or Praxis ParaPro.
The mistake families make
Hiring help that doesn't meet the credential. A family friend, or a tutor without the degree, credit hours, or a passing test score, won't clear — no matter how good they are with the student. Official score reports or transcripts, not a résumé, are what prove the credential.
The allowable path nearby
Engage an aide who meets one of the three credential paths, keep their proof on file, and itemize their invoices. If the need is subject instruction rather than in-class support, credentialed tutoring and teaching services are a separate allowable route with their own, lighter, credential rule.
The receipt still has to be complete
A yes on allowability doesn't survive an incomplete receipt. Every receipt needs the vendor's name, address, and contact; the date; a receipt or order number; an itemized description; and the itemized and total amounts. Missing any field can get the expense rejected — and undocumented debit-card purchases past the quarterly deadline must be repaid.
People also check
- Educational therapies (ABA, OT, speech, and more) — the companion disability-track service
- Tutoring or teaching services — the instruction route with its own credential rule
- Vocational and life skills programs — the disability-track program option
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Homeschool like the state isn't watching. Because we are.
Educational information based on the official ADE Parent Handbook SY2025-26 — not legal advice. Final allowability is determined by ADE. Verify against the official database at azed.gov/esa/esa-allowable-items.