# How program funds reach a vendor

Lesson 1 of [ESA vendor basics for families](https://esavendors.fyi/academy/esa-vendor-basics-for-families.md), 12 minutes.

An education savings account (ESA) sends public education funds to your family instead of a school. You spend the funds on approved learning expenses. Each program sets its own rules. The amount, the eligible children and the approved expenses differ from program to program.

## The systems that move the money

This site's guide on how ESAs work (updated 2026-10-07) names three systems:

- **ClassWallet** serves Arizona and Arkansas as a marketplace and wallet.
- **Odyssey** serves Texas, Utah and Iowa as a portal and marketplace.
- **Step Up For Students** runs the EMA Marketplace for Florida.

A program can change its system. Check the program's own page for the current one.

## Two ways to pay a vendor

- **Direct pay**: the program sends funds straight to an approved vendor in the marketplace.
- **Reimbursement**: you pay the vendor and send the receipt to the program. The program pays you back for an approved expense.

A program can use one path or both. Ask the vendor which path it supports in your program. Ask the program if the expense is approved for your child.

## Where this directory fits

This directory lists education vendors: microschools, tutors, curriculum sellers, therapists, co-ops and learning centres. A listing is a record, not a recommendation. A listing does not decide what your program pays for. Only the program decides that.

## Sources

- ESA Vendors guide: How education savings accounts work, state by state (updated 2026-10-07)
- Arizona Department of Education, Empowerment Scholarship Account: https://www.azed.gov/esa
- Step Up For Students (Florida): https://www.stepupforstudents.org/
- Texas Education Freedom Accounts: https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/
- Utah Fits All Scholarship: https://www.utahfitsall.com/
- Iowa Students First Education Savings Accounts: https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educational-choice/education-savings-accounts
- Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/education-freedom-accounts

This course is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice.

Also on the [web page](https://esavendors.fyi/academy/esa-vendor-basics-for-families/how-funds-reach-a-vendor).