Other Tuition Assistance
At Bergman Academy, we know that your child's education is a big investment, but an independent school education may be more affordable than you think.
Students First ESA
Parents who choose to enroll their eligible children in one of Iowa’s accredited nonpublic schools will receive an amount equal to the per pupil funding allocated to public school districts for the same budget school year. For the 2026-27 school year, the amount will be $8,148. Funds are held in an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other eligible qualified education expenses.
All Iowa resident K-12 students are eligible regardless of income.
The 2026-27 application opens at 8:00 a.m. April 16, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m., June 30, 2026.
Late applications will not be accepted.
To find more information about eligibility, frequently asked questions and to apply, visit the Iowa Department of Education's Student's First ESA website.
Iowa 529s
529 Plans are an after-tax investment account that grows tax free if distributions are used toward qualified educational expenses. Iowa 529 accounts can be used to fund K-12 tuition for any accredited State of Iowa School, such as Bergman Academy.
Please speak with your accountant or financial planner for more information on the use of Iowa 529 accounts for tuition.
Transportation Reimbursement
Families with K-8 grade students who live more than 2 miles (one way) from school are potentially eligible to receive reimbursement for transportation expenses from their public school district.
Electronic filing for Des Moines Public Schools and digital forms for the surrounding school districts can be found on each school district's website and should be completed and mailed to your public school district twice a year.
Forms must be postmarked no later than December 1st and May 1st.
Iowa Tuition and Textbook Credit
Iowa families can claim a credit of up to $250 for tuition and textbook payments on their State of Iowa income tax return.
Please speak with your accountant for more information on your specific tax situation and eligibility.
