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Rep. Baird: New scholarship accounts empower parents, children with disabilities

Monday, July 25, 2022
Studio Session 2008

State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) encourages families of students with disabilities to apply for Indiana’s new Education Scholarship Account Program to expand academic opportunities for their children.

The program, established through legislation supported by Baird, gives parents more tools to help meet their child’s academic needs.

“Students with special needs often require extra support to ensure their success in school,” Baird said. “These scholarships can help families access resources so they have the academic setting that works best for them.”

Families can use these tax-free scholarships to pay for pre-approved education services like tutoring, therapy and tuition. Baird said participating families get 90 percent of their child’s state education funding, plus all special-education money, through these education accounts. Funds do not count as income for families of recipients and have no impact on other financial aid they may receive.

To be eligible for ESAs, students must have a disability requiring special education services and an individualized education plan, service plan or choice special education plan; choose not to enroll in a public school or receive an Indiana Choice Scholarship; and meet the annual income qualification, which is currently 300 percent of the qualification for free or reduced lunches. For a household of four, that’s $154,012.

Applications for eligible students are open through Aug. 5. For more information and to apply, visit in.gov/tos/inesa.

State Rep. Baird represents House District 44, which includes all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.

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  • Do I understand this correctly - this is paying families, tax-free, to *not* enroll their children in our public schools?

    -- Posted by Only_My_Opinion on Mon, Jul 25, 2022, at 12:03 PM

  • learning for special needs. Many public schools don't have the ability to EFFECTIVELY educate special needs children.

    I am in favor of special needs kids getting best education/ help possible to them based on their situation. What is your position?

    -- Posted by beg on Mon, Jul 25, 2022, at 12:31 PM
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    What Beau Baird won't tell you, is that the new Education Scholarship Account Program he's promoting is brought to you entirely by the American Rescue Plan Act, which Jim Baird voted against.

    -- Posted by Bunny1E on Mon, Jul 25, 2022, at 3:51 PM

  • This is another jab not to enter your child in a public school. He is for private schools only.

    -- Posted by Nit on Mon, Jul 25, 2022, at 9:12 PM

  • Nit, do you think special needs kids should have an education environment that is set up for optimum learning?

    Bunny, I assume this means you agree with this since it is part of the rescue plan. By the way, did you ever have a different opinion than your non birthing parent?

    -- Posted by beg on Tue, Jul 26, 2022, at 9:25 AM
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