The Empowerment Scholarship Account program, commonly referred to as ESA, began in Arizona in 2011. ESA’s are a unique and exciting option for Arizona families with students who qualify. Families can apply for an ESA year round. The ESA program provides educational options for qualified Arizona students. According to ADE, parents who choose an ESA for their child are accessing alternatives for their education, such as private school or a home – based educational model. This allows families to utilize tutors and therapists in order to meet the unique educational needs of their child.