ESA regulations released: Make your voice heard

It's an exciting time for Nevada's education saving account program! Things are just moving along.  Last week, the Treasurer released an early application and today, the much anticipated proposed regulations have been posted on the Treasurer's website! The Treasurer has also announced another workshop.  Public input regarding the newly posted proposed regulations will take place on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 9:00 A.M.  

 

Please visit here for a copy of the regulations. 

 

The Treasurer’s office encourages you to provide your suggestions in writing by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. All written comments will be placed in the official record. Written and oral communications will also be accepted at the time of the meeting.  Written comments can be submitted to nevadaschoolchoice@nevadatreasurer.gov. 

 

July's ESA workshop was very well attended. And, I will say, in my 20+ years attending public meetings, it was the best meeting I've ever witnessed.  Public participation was through the roof and the meeting ran smoothly with everyone being heard!

 

Therefore, I would again suggest submitting lengthy comments in writing prior to the meeting, followed by a brief 2-3 minute oral summation at the August 21st meeting.

 

The Friday, August 21, 2015 at 9 A.M. workshop will be conducted via video conference:

 

Legislative Building                                      Grant Sawyer State Office Building

Suite 4100                                                      Suite 4401

410 S. Carson Street                                      555 E. Washington Avenue

Carson City, Nevada                                      Las Vegas, Nevada

 

As word of the ESA program spreads, our database of interested parents and community members grows.  Welcome to our new list members!  To ensure everyone is up to date, here is a brief recap of important updates on the ESA program.

 

Last week, the Treasurer released an early application form for ESAs here.

There are a couple of important things to note. First, even though the application is available now, the funding for the ESAs will not be available until 2016. Currently, the accounts will not be funded until April 2016.

Second, the eligibility requirements have not changed. Students must have been enrolled in Nevada public schools, which includes charter schools, for 100 consecutive school days before they are eligible.  Your child must meet this requirement before submitting an application.

Additionally, the Treasurer's office has asked that parents please include an email contact on the application. 

 

In addition to the current early application period, Nevada’s ESA program will have quarterly open enrollment and funding periods. This allows parents to make decisions at any time during the year on the best educational opportunity for their child. The chart below outlines when parents can enroll their child in Nevada’s ESA program and the corresponding funding date for those accounts:

 

Open Enrollment Periods for 2016             Estimated Account Funding Dates

January 4 – February 29, 2016                    First week of April 2016

April 1 – May 31, 2016                               First week of July 2016

July 1 – August 31, 2016                             First week of October 2016

October 1 – November 30, 2016                 First week of January 2017