Scholarships

Kindergarten/1st grade Grant Information

Amici Trilingual Montessori utilizes the Sate of Arizona’s Empowerment grant to pay for each child’s tuition using the state of Arizona’s tax dollars to fund education.

The Empowerment Scholarship Account

An ESA is an account administered by ADE and funded by state tax dollars to provide options for the education of qualified students in Arizona. ESA funds do not constitute taxable income to the parent of the qualified student. The ESA program allows parents of qualified students to utilize public monies to purchase educational services from private schools, education providers, and/or vendors. Eligible students receive 90% of the State aid that would have gone to the student’s school district or charter school had the student remained enrolled in the public school system. Pursuant to A.R.S.§15-2402(B)(1), an ESA Account Holder must use at least a portion of the funds to provide an education in at least the following subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Please call for more information 480-336-3364

Apply Now

Questions families ask about scholarships and assistance

Can I use an Arizona ESA to pay for preschool?

Amici accepts Empowerment Scholarship Account funds, but the state decides who qualifies. Eligibility rules differ by age and by situation, and preschool-age children are treated differently from kindergarten and older students. Check the current requirements with the Arizona Department of Education before you plan around it, then tell the office what your award covers.

What is DES childcare assistance and who qualifies for it?

DES childcare assistance is an Arizona Department of Economic Security program that helps eligible families pay for childcare. Qualification generally depends on income, household size, and whether parents are working, in school, or in training. DES sets and updates those rules, so apply directly with them to find out where your family stands.

Can I combine ESA or DES with what I pay Amici?

Yes. State funding is applied toward your child’s tuition and you cover whatever is left. How much that is depends on your award, your child’s program, and the schedule you choose. Bring your approval letter to the office and the team will show you exactly how the funding and your remaining balance fit together.

Do I have to apply separately for each of my children?

Yes. Both ESA and DES look at each child individually, so siblings need their own applications and their own approvals even when they attend the same school. Awards can differ between siblings because age and program matter. Apply for each child as early as you can, since approval timelines are outside the school’s control.

Where do I apply for these programs?

ESA applications go through the Arizona Department of Education, and childcare assistance goes through the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Both are state agencies with their own online applications and document requirements. Amici does not process either one, but the office can tell you which paperwork families are usually asked for once they are approved.

How long does approval take?

It varies. Processing time depends on the agency’s current volume, whether your application is complete, and how quickly you return requested documents. Neither timeline is set by the school, so check the Arizona Department of Education or the Department of Economic Security for current estimates. Start early, and let the office know while your application is pending.

Will you hold a spot while my funding is being approved?

Talk to the office as soon as you apply. Availability moves with the classroom rather than with the calendar, so the answer depends on the age group and how many families are waiting. Being upfront about a pending application lets the team plan with you instead of assuming you have stopped looking elsewhere.

Does state funding apply to summer camp or after-school too?

That can depend on the program and on the terms of your specific award. ESA and DES each define what they will pay for, and those definitions come from the state rather than from the school. Confirm coverage with the agency handling your funding, then check with the office about the schedule you have in mind.