For Providers: Get Listed →
The School Choice IndexFind Funds

ESA · Vendor Comparison · Parent Worksheet

ESA vendor comparison worksheet: how to compare vendors the right way

Comparing ESA vendors is not like comparing products on Amazon. Start with approval status — not price. If a vendor is not approved in your state program, price does not matter. This guide gives you a copy-ready comparison worksheet, payment workflow guide, and what to check in each state.

Last verified: · Sources: Arizona ADE; Iowa DOE; Step Up for Students; Texas TEFA rules; Wyoming DOE

By The School Choice Index Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed

The ESA vendor comparison order that actually works

Most families make the mistake of finding a product they like, then asking whether ESA will pay for it. That is the wrong order. Here is the order that prevents wasted purchases:

  1. Is this vendor approved in my state program? (If no — stop here.)
  2. Is the specific product or service eligible? (Vendor approval ≠ all offerings approved.)
  3. What is the price vs. my ESA account balance?
  4. How does payment work? (Direct pay or reimbursement?)
  5. What documentation does the vendor provide?
  6. Quality and fit for your child

ESA vendor comparison worksheet fields

FieldWhy it matters
Vendor nameNeeded for receipts and official documents
State approved / participating?Eligibility check — confirm through official state source
Approval source verifiedWhich list or portal confirmed approval
Specific product/service eligible?Vendor approval ≠ all offerings approved
Payment methodDirect pay (ClassWallet / Odyssey / MyScholarShop) vs. reimbursement
PriceCompare cost against ESA account balance
Documentation providedItemized invoice, receipt, proof of payment?
Refund / cancellation policyImportant if account rules change or purchase is denied
Credentials (if service)Tutor, therapist, or instructor qualifications
Quality indicatorsReviews, accreditation, sample materials

Copy-ready ESA vendor comparison worksheet

ESA VENDOR COMPARISON WORKSHEET Your state / program: __________________________ School year: __________________________________ COMPARISON: VENDOR A VS. VENDOR B (add more columns as needed) Vendor A Vendor B Vendor name: ___________ ___________ State approved? Y / N Y / N Approval verified via: ___________ ___________ Specific item eligible? Y / N Y / N (which item): ___________ ___________ Payment method: Direct/Reimb. Direct/Reimb. Price: $__________ $__________ My ESA balance covers? Y / N Y / N Receipt / invoice type: ___________ ___________ Proof of payment given? Y / N Y / N Refund policy: ___________ ___________ Credentials (service): ___________ ___________ Quality notes: ___________ ___________ WINNER (based on eligibility + fit + price): ____________________________ REASON: ____________________________

ESA payment workflows by platform

PlatformPayment typeVendor setup
ClassWallet (Arizona and others)Direct-pay marketplace or reimbursementVendors register through ClassWallet vendor portal
Odyssey (Texas TEFA)Vendor portal marketplaceVendors apply at tefa-vendors.withodyssey.com; offerings reviewed separately
MyScholarShop (Florida / Step Up)Online marketplaceVendors submit Supplier Interest Form + Ariba setup; item-by-item review
Direct reimbursement (Wyoming and others)Family pays vendor, then submits receiptsVendor does not need to register; family submits documentation to state

How to verify vendor approval by state

Arizona

In Arizona, vendors participate through ClassWallet. The most reliable confirmation is checking whether the vendor appears in the ClassWallet marketplace for your account. If you are unsure, contact the Arizona Department of Education ESA office directly.

Iowa

Iowa’s Students First ESA uses an approved provider list published by the Iowa Department of Education. Go to the official DOE website and look up the current approved provider list. Do not take a vendor’s word for it — confirm it yourself.

Florida

Florida scholarships administered by Step Up for Students have approved schools and vendors. For MyScholarShop purchases, only listed items are available for purchase. For tutors and service providers, check the Step Up approved provider list.

Texas (TEFA)

Texas TEFA vendors apply through the Odyssey portal. Each offering requires separate review. Confirm both vendor approval and offering approval before recommending a vendor to another TEFA family.

Wyoming

Wyoming uses a direct-reimbursement model. Families pay vendors and submit receipts. In Wyoming, it is less about “approved vendors” and more about whether the expense category is allowable. Check the Wyoming Allowable and Disallowable Expense Guidance PDF before any purchase.

Documentation checklist by vendor type

Curriculum or material vendor

  • Itemized receipt or order confirmation
  • Proof of payment (bank/card statement)
  • Product description that ties to allowed category

Tutor or service provider

  • Invoice with session dates, durations, subject
  • Provider name and credentials
  • Proof of payment
  • Preapproval confirmation if required by state

Online class or subscription

  • Enrollment confirmation or login evidence
  • Receipt or payment confirmation
  • Description of educational content
  • Subscription period covered

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

What is an ESA vendor comparison worksheet?
An ESA vendor comparison worksheet is a planning tool that helps ESA families compare two or more vendors before choosing where to use their ESA or scholarship funds. The key difference from a normal shopping comparison is that ESA families need to check vendor eligibility and state approval status before comparing price and quality — because a vendor that is not approved cannot be paid with ESA funds regardless of how good or affordable they are.
How do I know if an ESA vendor is approved in my state?
This depends on your state's program. In Iowa, check the approved provider list on the Iowa DOE Students First portal. In Florida, check Step Up for Students' approved vendor or school list. In Arizona, vendors participate through ClassWallet. In Texas, check the TEFA/Odyssey portal. In Wyoming, verify through the Wyoming ESP portal. Always go to the official state or program source — not the vendor's own website.
What should I compare when evaluating ESA vendors?
Compare: (1) State approval status, (2) Which specific products or services are eligible for ESA use, (3) Price compared to ESA account balance, (4) Documentation they provide (receipt, invoice, proof of payment), (5) Payment workflow — do they take direct payment from ClassWallet/Odyssey/MyScholarShop, or do you pay and get reimbursed?, (6) Refund policy, and (7) Credential or quality factors if relevant.
Does being an approved vendor mean all their products are ESA-eligible?
No. Being an approved vendor in a state program means the business can participate in the program. It does not mean every product or service they sell is automatically covered by ESA funds. Some states review offerings individually. Families should confirm which specific products or services are eligible before purchasing.
How does the payment workflow differ between ClassWallet, Odyssey, and MyScholarShop?
ClassWallet (used in Arizona and other states) uses a direct-payment or marketplace model where vendors register in the ClassWallet system and families can pay through the platform. Odyssey (used in Texas TEFA) operates its own vendor portal and payment system. MyScholarShop (Florida/Step Up) is a marketplace where families buy directly. In states without a direct-payment platform, families may pay vendors directly and then submit receipts for reimbursement.
What happens if I choose a vendor that is not approved?
If you use ESA funds to pay a vendor that is not in the program's approved list or does not meet the program's vendor requirements, the purchase may be rejected and you may not be reimbursed. Depending on the program, you may also be required to repay the funds or face other account consequences. Always confirm vendor eligibility before purchasing.
Should I compare vendors by price or by approval status first?
Approval status first. Price is irrelevant if the vendor is not eligible for ESA use in your state. The right comparison order is: (1) Is this vendor approved in my state? (2) Is the specific product or service eligible? (3) What is the price? (4) How does payment work? Only after confirming eligibility does price comparison become useful.
ESA expense trackerFind my state’s ESA