How do I apply for the Empowering Parents grant program?

2024-25 applications are open. Apply here!

What documents do I need to complete the grant application?

Review the list of optional documents here.

Click here to view the attached guide in Spanish.

Where can I find a step-by-step guide on how to apply?

Review the application guide here.

The application guide is also available in Spanish.

Where can I access a training video on how to apply for the Empowering Parents program grant?

Watch the training video here.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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 Idaho State adjusted gross income 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

How will parents or guardians be able to apply for the funds?

Parents and guardians can apply for an award by filling out a 2024-25 application. Once an application has been submitted and eligibility confirmed, parents will be notified via email. Funds will be deposited electronically into the parent or guardian Empowering Parents account with ClassWallet. Families will be provided instructions on how to log into to ClassWallet accounts and access grant funds.

Where can I watch a step-by-step application guide?

A training video is available here.

When will I know if I’m approved?

2024-25 Applicants will receive an email from ClassWallet 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 from ClassWallet 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.

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.  All awardees with grant balances will be contacted in late December 2024 with information on how to access and spend grant funds.  Awardees will be notified of expiration dates at that time.  Grants do not expire until 3 years from issuance.

I have an Empowering Parents account balance with Odyssey. When will I be able to access that balance?

Idaho families with existing Empowering Parents grant balances will be contacted in late December 2024 with information on how to access and spend grant funds.

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

No grants will expire during the transition period.  All awardees with grant balances will be contacted in late December 2024 with information on how to access and spend grant funds.  Awardees will be notified of expiration dates at that time.  Grants do not expire until 3 years from issuance.

I am awaiting a refund from Odyssey.  Who should I contact?

Please email empoweringparents@edu.idaho.gov  or call 208-334-2270 Option #7.

 I am an Odyssey vendor.  Who can help me with past due payments owed by Odyssey?

Email vendors@withodyssey.com or reach out to customer service at 208-768-8132, 8am-8pm MT Monday-Friday or 10am-4pm MT Saturdays.  Please cc empoweringparents@edu.idaho.gov on email communication.

I am experiencing issues accessing my Odyssey account. What should I do?

Email help@withodyssey.com or reach out to customer service at 208-768-8132, 8am-8pm MT Monday-Friday or 10am-4pm MT Saturdays.

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

Yes!