Alabama CHOOSE Act · ESP Guide
Alabama CHOOSE Act education service providers: how to verify an ESP and what costs qualify
The Alabama CHOOSE Act requires families to use registered education service providers (ESPs). A provider that says they accept CHOOSE Act funds is not the same as a registered ESP in the ALSDE system. Here is how to verify the right way — and what expenses qualify.
What the Alabama CHOOSE Act is
The CHOOSE Act (Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education) is Alabama’s education savings account program, administered by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Eligible students receive funds in an education savings account to use with approved ESPs for qualifying educational expenses. The program targets specific eligibility categories — including students from lower-income households and students with disabilities.
What "education service provider" means under CHOOSE Act
An ESP under the CHOOSE Act is any provider — school, tutor, therapist, curriculum vendor, or other educational service organization — that has registered with ALSDE and meets program requirements. This registration step is non-negotiable:
- A private school that has not registered is not an approved ESP
- A tutor who has not registered cannot receive CHOOSE Act funds
- A therapy provider from another state’s ESA program may not be registered in Alabama
Provider marketing is not proof of registration. Always verify through ALSDE.
How to verify an Alabama CHOOSE Act ESP
- Open the ALSDE CHOOSE Act portal or program page.
- Search for the provider by name, type, or location.
- Confirm the provider is registered and active in the ALSDE system.
- Confirm the service category — the ESP must be registered for the type of service you need (school, tutoring, therapy, etc.).
- Ask the provider for their ALSDE ESP registration number or confirmation if the portal does not show one.
CHOOSE Act qualifying expenses by category
| Expense category | Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | Yes — at participating nonpublic schools | School must be ALSDE-registered as an ESP |
| Curriculum and instructional materials | Yes — per ALSDE rules | Materials must be educational; keep receipts |
| Educational technology | Yes — with applicable limits | Check category-specific rules in ALSDE guidance |
| Tutoring | Yes — from approved providers | Tutor must be a registered ESP |
| Therapies (qualifying students) | Yes — for students with disabilities | Therapist must be registered ESP; credentials required |
| Extracurricular / enrichment | Some — verify per ALSDE guidance | Category-specific rules apply |
Billing rules: how CHOOSE Act payments flow
The CHOOSE Act uses an account-based system — funds are deposited into the student’s account and used to pay registered ESPs through the program portal. Key billing rules families should understand:
- Payments flow from the student’s account to the ESP — not from the family’s personal bank
- The ESP must be registered for payment to be processed
- Some categories may have pre-authorization requirements — check the current ALSDE guidance
- Keep documentation of every transaction for audit purposes
ALSDE may update the payment workflow — always use the current program guidance for the school year you are in.
Common mistakes Alabama CHOOSE Act families make with ESPs
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Trusting a provider's marketing ('we accept CHOOSE Act') | Verify registration in the ALSDE portal |
| Assuming ESP approval in one state applies to Alabama | Alabama registration is required separately |
| Paying before confirming the expense is eligible | Check the qualifying expense list first |
| Skipping documentation because the ESP 'handles it' | Keep your own copies of all receipts and records |
| Not checking for pre-authorization requirements | Review current ALSDE guidance before booking services |