Can I Use Education Savings Account Funds for Teen Development?
If you have an ESA, you may be able to use those funds for Altitude. Here's how education savings accounts work, what typically qualifies, and how to verify eligibility.
More families than ever have education savings account funds, and more states than ever offer them. If your family has an ESA through a state scholarship or school choice program, you may be wondering whether a whole-human development platform like Altitude qualifies as an eligible expense.
The short answer is: it may. Here's how to think about it.
What an ESA Actually Is
An education savings account (ESA) is a state-funded account that holds scholarship money for eligible students. Instead of funds going directly to a school, they go into an account the family controls, and can direct to approved educational expenses.
ESAs are used across more than 18 states, including Florida (Step Up for Students, PEP and FES programs) and Georgia (Georgia Promise Scholarship). The specifics vary significantly from state to state: how much families receive, what expenses qualify, how purchases are made, and what documentation is required.
The common thread: families direct the funds; the state defines what qualifies.
What Typically Qualifies Under ESA Programs
While each state program has its own approved expense list, most ESA programs cover some combination of:
- Curriculum and educational materials
- Online learning programs and educational software subscriptions
- Tutoring from qualified providers
- Elective learning programs
- Therapies and specialized services (where applicable)
Altitude (as a structured, competency-mapped online learning platform for ages 13–18) fits most naturally in the online learning program or educational software subscription category, or under Electives where that category exists (as it does with Florida's Step Up programs).
Always verify with your specific program before purchasing. Approved expense categories, vendor eligibility, and documentation requirements vary by state and are updated regularly.
What Altitude Is and Isn't
This distinction matters for ESA documentation. Altitude is:
- An online educational platform delivering structured learning experiences across six domains of development
- Built specifically for young people ages 13–18
- Grounded in adolescent development, learning science, and behavioral science
- Structured around the Whole Human Framework: 31 competencies across Thought, Emotion, Social, Values, Mindset, and Identity
Altitude is not:
- Accredited academic curriculum
- A credit-bearing program (Altitude does not assign academic credit)
- A therapy or clinical service
- A tutoring service
For families completing ESA documentation, describe Altitude as an online learning platform or educational software subscription in the appropriate elective or supplemental learning category. Do not describe it as credit-bearing or accredited.
How the Verification Process Works
Every ESA program has its own process for confirming that a purchase is eligible before you spend the money. The general approach across most programs:
Step 1: Check your state's current approved vendor list or expense categories. Some programs maintain a marketplace of pre-approved vendors; others allow reimbursement for a broader range of qualifying expenses.
Step 2: Confirm Altitude's eligibility with your program directly if it's not already listed. Contact your scholarship program's family support team and describe Altitude as a structured online learning platform for ages 13–18 in the elective or supplemental education category.
Step 3: Purchase with documentation ready. Keep your receipt, a description of the service, confirmation that it is single-student pricing, and any receipts or invoices your program requires.
Step 4: Submit your reimbursement or marketplace purchase per your program's current guidelines within the eligible school year window.
Families Already Using FL and GA Programs
If you're a Florida family with Step Up for Students (PEP or FES) funds, Altitude qualifies as an online learning program under the Electives category. Purchases can be made through MyScholarShop or as a direct purchase with reimbursement through EMA. See stepupforstudents.org for current guidelines.
If you're a Georgia family with the Georgia Promise Scholarship, Altitude qualifies as a non-public online learning program. Purchases are made through the Odyssey Marketplace once your account is active. The next application window is August 1–31, 2026. See mygeorgiapromise.org.
For families in other ESA states (Arizona, West Virginia, Utah, Iowa, Alabama, North Carolina, and others) contact your state program directly to confirm Altitude's eligibility in your specific program's expense categories.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use education savings account funds for Altitude?
Altitude is an online learning platform for ages 13–18 that may qualify under online learning program, educational software, or elective categories depending on your state's ESA program. Families should always verify eligibility with their specific program before purchasing, as approved expense categories vary by state and are updated regularly.
What ESA expense category does Altitude fall under?
Altitude most naturally fits the online learning program or educational software subscription category, or under Electives where that category exists. For Florida's Step Up programs, it qualifies under Electives. For Georgia Promise, it qualifies under non-public online learning programs. For other states, verify with your program.
Is Altitude accredited or credit-bearing?
No. Altitude is an educational platform, not accredited academic curriculum, and it does not assign academic credit. Describe it as an online learning platform or educational subscription for documentation purposes. Do not describe it as accredited or credit-bearing.
What documentation do I need to keep?
At minimum: purchase receipt, description of Altitude as an online educational platform for ages 13–18, confirmation that it is single-student pricing, and any program-specific receipts or invoices. Your state program's current purchasing guide will specify exact documentation requirements.
My state has an ESA but I'm not sure if Altitude qualifies. What should I do?
Contact your state program's family support team directly and describe Altitude as a structured online learning platform for young people ages 13–18 in the supplemental or elective educational category. Ask them to confirm eligibility before making a purchase. Most programs have family support via phone, email, or live chat.
Related Resources
From Altitude:
If you have ESA funds and a teen who's ready to build something more than a transcript, Altitude is built to be part of that investment.
Altitude opens to founding families in January 2027. Join the waitlist to be among the first families in Florida and Georgia.