Who is eligible to apply for a 2024-25 grant?

Idaho residents who filed a 2023 Idaho Tax return and who have children between the ages of 5 and 18 are eligible to apply.

How are awards prioritized?

Awards are prioritized first for households with an Adjusted Gross Income (state of Idaho tax form line 7) less than $60,000, second to households with an AGI under $75,000, and any remaining grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis. Grants are awarded at $1,000 per eligible student, up to $3,000 per family.

If I have an existing balance in my Odyssey account, am I still eligible to apply for a 2024-25 grant?

Yes.

Q: What is an Affidavit?

A: The Affidavit is an electronic consent form that you will be required to accept in order to have access to your funds in the ClassWallet platform. Once the Affidavit is accepted, the balance on your account will be updated. If you accidentally reject the Affidavit, please reach out to ClassWallet. More information on the Affidavit can be found here.

Q: How can I shop for items in ClassWallet?

A: Check out the recorded training here. This helpful video reviews how Idaho families can shop in the ClassWallet marketplace, upload internet services receipts for reimbursement, and upload an invoice from a Direct Pay service or physical goods provider.

Q: How can I search Direct Pay or local Idaho businesses in ClassWallet?

A: Use the search guide posted here.

Q: How can I update my shipping information?
A: To update your address, contact ClassWallet’s Customer Support Team at help@classwallet.com by calling 877-969-5536.

Q: How can I spend my funds?
A: Funds can be spent either by issuing a payment to a service provider, submitting a reimbursement (only available for home internet services beginning July 1, 2024), or by browsing the stores available in the ClassWallet Marketplace. You can find the information about allowable items and services here.

Q: How can I submit a payment to an approved vendor/provider?

A: Submit a direct payment to an approved vendor/provider by using the DirectPay feature. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to submit a payment. To initiate a payment, you will be required to upload an invoice provided by the service provider that has the following information: Vendor name, parent name, student name(s), date of the invoice, date of the service, what the payment is for, and the total amount due. The last name and address on the invoice must match the information in your ClassWallet account. Please note that transactions for services offered beyond a quarterly (three month) period will be rejected. If the payment is approved, the provider will receive the payment within 2-10 business days of the approval.

Q: How do I submit a receipt for home internet reimbursement?

A:  To submit a receipt for home internet reimbursement, first link your bank account. Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to link your bank account. Once your bank account has been linked, you can initiate a reimbursement request. Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to initiate a home internet service reimbursement. The documentation on the invoice request must include: Internet provider name, date of the service/due date/payment date, what the receipt is for/description/total amount due/paid. The last name and address on the receipt must match the information in your ClassWallet account. Please remember, only reimbursements for home internet services purchased on or after July 1, 2024, will be allowable. Reimbursement requests for items other than home internet services will not be approved.

Q: When should I expect to receive my reimbursement in my linked bank account?

A: If your reimbursement request is approved, you should expect to receive the funds in your linked bank account within 2-10 business days of the approval date.

Q: If I place an order using the ClassWallet Marketplace, would I be notified with tracking information?

A: Vendors typically send notifications about your order via email, such as tracking information, but in case you need information about an order not being received, a missing item, or to initiate a return, you can contact ClassWallet’s Customer Support Team by emailing help@classwallet.com.

Q: What can I do if I submit a direct payment to the incorrect vendor?

A: Please contact ClassWallet’s Support Team right away. They will attempt to cancel the payment and return the funds to your ClassWallet balance, if possible.

Q: What if I don’t see my preferred vendor/provider in ClassWallet?

A: If you are unable to locate your preferred vendor/provider in ClassWallet, please encourage them to apply here.

Q: When will my funds expire?

A: Funds will expire 3 years from the date that the funds have been deposited in your ClassWallet account. The expiration date is available in your ClassWallet balance tile.

Q: Can I surrender my funds if I no longer wish to participate in the program?

A: If you wish to surrender your funds, select the ‘S’ icon on your Balance tile and complete the steps to surrender your funds. Step-by-step instructions can be found here. If you accidentally surrender your funds, please contact ClassWallet.

Q: How can I contact ClassWallet?

A: You can reach ClassWallet's support team by phone at 877-969-5536, email help@classwallet.com, or start a live chat directly from the homepage. Support is available Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM EST and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM EST. For quick answers to common questions, be sure to check out their helpful knowledge base articles.

Q: If my order is rejected, is the reason shared?

A: Any order that is rejected will have comments added in the rejection notification explaining the reason for the rejection and information needed to be approved if applicable. For instance if an invoice is missing the student name, the transaction will be rejected with a comment to update the invoice with the student name and resubmit.

Q: Will I get an email when Reimbursement funds are settled in my bank account, or how do I know the payment is coming from ClassWallet?
A: No, you won’t get an email to let you know that funds are being deposited, however, when you receive your funds in your Bank account, the description of the transaction will include:
►ACH Classwallet
► PO# (which is the order ID generated when you submit a transaction with ClassWallet and you can locate this in your ACH report)

►Transaction ID, which can be found as well in the ACH transaction report in your ClassWallet account.

Q:  How will a service provider know they are receiving a payment from me?

A: Once your order is approved, you'll receive an email notification. The service provider will also be notified about the upcoming payment. They can then view this information by logging into their ClassWallet account and checking their payment report.

Q: What if my item arrives broken or damaged?

A: If you have an issue with a Marketplace order, such as damaged or incorrect items, please review our Knowledge Base article on Returns and Refunds or contact ClassWallet’s Customer Support Team for assistance. You have 30 days from the date of the order to file a dispute.

Q: What if I want to cancel an order?

A: To cancel a pending ClassWallet order, use the 'Manage Orders' tool in your account. If your order has been approved, you will need to contact ClassWallet’s Customer Support Team. They will work directly with the vendor to determine if cancellation is possible. Learn more about the process in this Knowledge Base article.

Q: Why don’t I have a ClassWallet account if my FACTS application is complete?

A: A completed FACTS application does not mean that you have been granted an award. The Empowering Parents program is required by statute to prioritize funding for families earning less than 60k AGI (Adjusted Gross income as shown on line 7 of your Idaho State Tax Return). If program funds remain available, grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you have questions in regard to your application, please contact FACTS’ Support Team at 866-315-1270.

Who is eligible for the funds?

All Idaho children ages 5-18* are eligible regardless of whether they attend a public school, private school or are homeschooled.

* Idaho statute requires a child to be age 5 on or before September 1 of the school year. For example,

• If a child's birthdate is August 31, 2019, the child is 5 before September 1, 2024, and is eligible.

• If a child's birthdate is October 20, 2019, the child will not be age 5 as of September 1, 2024, and is not eligible, even if the child is attending school or is homeschooled.

Awards will be prioritized based on the parent or guardian’s adjusted gross income, starting with eligible families earning less than $60,000 per year.

Idaho Law (Section 33-1031, Idaho Code) requires income eligibility be based on the parent or guardian’s adjusted gross income (line 7 State tax form) verified with the Idaho Tax Commission from the previous year’s filing. While everyone is not required to file an Idaho tax return, only individuals who did file will be eligible for the program. State law does not allow discretion on using anything other than the applicants AGI (Idaho Tax Form line 7) verified by the Idaho State Tax Commission.

How is income eligibility determined?

Idaho Law (Section 33-1031, Idaho Code) requires Income eligibility be based on the parent or guardian’s adjust gross income for the prior year as verified by the Idaho State Tax Commission. As the awards will be distributed in 2024, the prior filing year is 2023. Income eligibility will be verified using the applicants 2023 adjusted gross income (Idaho tax form line 7) from personal (not business) tax returns. Filed tax returns from prior years or consideration of recent employment status changes. cannot be used to determine eligibility. All tax information will be verified with the Idaho State Tax Commission.

Military families new to Idaho who did not complete a 2023 Idaho Tax Return or those applying on behalf of a student with a deceased parent in the past 12 months should reach out to empoweringparents@edu.idaho.gov for additional assistance.

How are grants awarded if my child lives in a split household?

The parent with legal custody of the child can apply for an Empowering Parents grant and may be asked to provide additional information confirming custody. While both parents can apply for a grant, their child may be used to determine eligibility in only one family.

What if I have a new dependent child in my care?

Please submit documentation from Health and Welfare to verify foster children in your care or custody paperwork with your application.

I was awarded a grant last year can I apply this year?

Yes

Applications for 2024-25 Empowering Parents program grants are now closed.

When will I know if I’m approved?

Applications are managed by a company called FACTS. ClassWallet notifies applicants if an Empowering Parents grant is awarded. 2024-25 Applicants will receive an email notifying them of their status, required information (if any), and next steps (including a waitlist timeline). Awards are communicated according to the timeline outlined by Idaho statute. Families with adjusted gross incomes of $60,000 or less receive grants first. Additional awards will be made based on individuals with adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000 followed by any remaining funds being awarded to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or above. Applicants who receive an email indicating they are on a waitlist will be notified again via email when status updates are changed.

What if my application is denied?

If your application has been denied you have 5 days to submit a request for reconsideration to EmpoweringParents@edu.idaho.gov Please include your name, email address, phone number and reason you are requesting your application be reconsidered.

What are Educational Expenses?

Section 33-1030, Idaho Code, defines eligible education expenses. All education expenses are required to be used to support a student’s educational needs.

Eligible education expenses and a chart of commonly approved and denied items.

What on-line stores are available to parents shopping in the ClassWallet marketplace?

At the launch of the Empowering Parent Program, ClassWallet and the Idaho State Board of Education anticipate that the following providers will be available in the e-commerce Marketplace:
Best Buy
Staples
Office Depot
School Specialty
Lakeshore

Marketplace vendors may be added/removed from the program overtime based on performance and program needs. Please note that this list intentionally excludes the vendors who are eligible for inclusion and registered within ClassWallet's DirectPay provider list. Additional information about the differences between ClassWallet's Marketplace and DirectPay providers can be found here (https://classwallet.my.site.com/classwallet/s/article/DirectPay-vs-Marketplace)

How do providers of such services as tutoring, speech therapy, or driver's education courses connect to be paid by parents through the Empowering Parents system?

Service providers will be required to complete an online form and register with ClassWallet. Once a service provider has been approved, they will receive instructions on how to set up their accounts to receive payments.

Can I get reimbursed for home internet services?

Yes! Reimbursements for home internet services purchased on or after July 1, 2024, will be available in ClassWallet. Reimbursement requests for items other than home internet services are not approved.

If I receive a grant, how long do I have to spend the funds through Empowering Parents online marketplace?

Applicants receiving Empowering Parents awards will have three (3) years from date of issuance to spend the funds through the Empowering Parents platform. Any unspent funds will be returned to the State of Idaho.

I’m unable to access my account balance and shop in the Odyssey marketplace. 

The Odyssey marketplace closed on October 22, 2024. The State of Idaho has a multi-year contract with ClassWallet to manage Empowering Parents grant funds. All awardees with grant balances were sent an email from info@ClassWallet.com with instructions on how to access prior grant funds. The email was sent to the email address used by the awardee in Odyssey.

The recorded training will guide awardees with how to set up a ClassWallet account.

Awardees can also view ClassWallet instructions on setting up an account.

I can’t remember when my grant expires.  Where can I find that information?

All awardees with a rollover balance will be able to see the grant expiration date after creating an account in ClassWallet. Empowering Parents grant funds expire 3 years from date of issuance.

I don’t believe my rollover balance from Odyssey is correct.  Who should I contact?

Please email empoweringparents@edu.idaho.gov.

If I have an Empowering Parents grant balance, can I apply for a 2024-25 grant?

Yes!

What is the purpose of the Empowering Parents program?

The Empowering Parents program provides eligible families with grant funds for use towards eligible education services and devices to help students recover from learning loss. Section 33-1030, Idaho Code, defines eligible education expenses. Eligible education expenses and a chart of commonly approved and denied items.

Parents with an existing balance in Odyssey can continue to purchase educational goods and services from vendors in the Empowering Parents online marketplace.

How much will eligible families receive?

Each eligible family will have access to $1,000 per eligible student, with a maximum award of $3,000 per family.

What is being done to prevent fraud?

Eligible families will have their adjusted gross income verified through the Idaho Tax Commission based on their previous year filing. Families may need to provide additional information for situations such as a military family recently assigned in Idaho, recent legal guardian or foster care placement, and/or child custody updates.