State-by-State Guide

ESA approved vendors by state: the official way to confirm participating vendors

Every ESA program maintains its own vendor directory through its program administrator. Here is how to find the authoritative list for your state — and what "approved" actually means.

By The School Choice Index Editorial TeamPublished June 13, 2026Last reviewed May 25, 2026

Why vendor approval is program-specific

There is no single national ESA vendor list. Each state's program uses its own administrator — ClassWallet, Odyssey, Step Up For Students, and others — and each administrator maintains a separate enrolled-vendor directory. A vendor approved in Arizona's ClassWallet program is not automatically approved in North Carolina's ClassWallet program, even though both use the same platform.

This matters because families sometimes purchase from a vendor who claims to "accept ESA funds" across states, without realizing their specific state's program requires separate enrollment. Always check the directory specific to your program, not the vendor's marketing materials.

How to find your state's vendor directory

State	Program	Administrator	Vendor directory	Notes
Arizona	Empowerment Scholarship Account	ClassWallet	ClassWallet marketplace	Reimbursement also available
Texas	Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA)	Odyssey (ClassWallet)	Odyssey marketplace	Marketplace-only, no outside reimbursement
Florida	Family Empowerment Scholarship / FES-EO	Step Up For Students	MyScholarShop / EduNav	Multiple scholarship types
North Carolina	Opportunity Scholarship / Education Savings	ClassWallet	ClassWallet marketplace	Separate programs for different populations
Nevada	Education Savings Account	Odyssey	Odyssey marketplace	Universal eligibility
Indiana	Choice Scholarship / Education Savings	State-managed	State vendor portal	Separate reimbursement process
Iowa	Students First Act	State-managed	Approved provider list	Reimbursement-based
Utah	Utah Fits All Scholarship	ClassWallet	ClassWallet marketplace	Universal eligibility

For your state's full program details and official program links, see the 50-state ESA guide.

What "approved" actually covers — and what it does not

Vendor approval means the provider is authorized to receive ESA funds for eligible transactions through the program. It does not mean:

Every product or service the vendor offers is eligible
The vendor has been vetted for educational quality or safety
The vendor's enrollment will continue indefinitely

You are responsible for verifying both the vendor's enrollment status and the eligibility of the specific product or service. See our eligible expenses guide for state-by-state breakdowns of what purchases are allowed.

Program-specific vendor guides

ClassWallet approved vendors — Arizona, NC, Utah, and more
Odyssey ESA marketplace providers — Texas TEFA and other Odyssey states
MyScholarShop approved vendors — Florida Step Up For Students
Texas TEFA approved providers

What to do when a vendor you want is not listed

Contact the vendor and ask them to apply for enrollment with your state's administrator. In most programs the process is free and takes one to four weeks. Alternatively, look for enrolled alternatives that offer a similar service. If you believe an important vendor category is unrepresented, contact your ESA program office — some programs actively recruit vendors in underserved categories.

For guidance on finding local providers who accept ESA funds, see Providers that accept ESA funds near me.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean for a vendor to be 'ESA approved'?

'ESA approved' or 'ESA enrolled' means the vendor has completed the enrollment process with your state's program administrator — ClassWallet, Odyssey, Step Up For Students, etc. — and is authorized to receive ESA payments. It does not mean every product they sell is eligible; you still need to verify individual items fall within your state's allowed expense categories.

How often do vendor lists update?

Vendor lists are updated continuously throughout the year as providers enroll, renew, or are removed. A vendor that was listed six months ago may no longer be active, and new providers enroll regularly. Always check the live vendor directory immediately before purchasing, not days or weeks earlier.

Can I shop at Amazon with ESA funds?

It depends on the state. Amazon is enrolled in some programs (notably Florida's Step Up For Students through EduNav/MyScholarShop for eligible items). In most programs, Amazon itself is not a direct marketplace vendor. Some programs allow reimbursement for purchases from non-enrolled retailers in limited circumstances — check your state's program rules.

What if a vendor tells me they accept ESA funds but they are not on the official list?

Vendors sometimes claim to accept ESA funds before their enrollment is finalized, or they may be referring to informal arrangements that are not supported by the program. Always verify through the official marketplace or vendor directory, not based on the vendor's own statements. If they are not listed, your purchase will not be processed.

Do all states use the same vendor platform?

No. Different states use different administrators. Texas uses Odyssey. Arizona and North Carolina use ClassWallet. Florida uses Step Up For Students with MyScholarShop. Nevada uses EdChoice. Each platform maintains its own separate vendor directory.

How can a vendor get added to an ESA approved list?

Vendors apply directly through the program administrator's enrollment portal. The process is free in most programs and does not require the vendor to be a large organization — individual tutors, small microschools, and independent therapists regularly enroll. The timeline varies by program, typically one to four weeks.

Find your state's ESA program Browse ESA-friendly providers