Last verified: October 2026
Where does school aid fit after the $7,000?
School aid is the last layer, used for the balance after the CHOOSE Act ESA or an SGO scholarship is applied. At many Jefferson and Shelby church schools the balance is small; at independent college-prep schools it can be most of the bill, so the aid conversation matters more there.
What should a parent ask every school?
Ask four things: Are you on ALDOR's participating-school list? Which of your fees are on the CHOOSE Act approved list and which are not? How do you invoice through ClassWallet? What aid, sibling or member pricing applies after the ESA? The directory answers the first question for every school before you call.
Fees the ESA pays vs fees families pay
| ESA can pay | Family pays |
|---|---|
| Registration, enrollment, book, technology, testing, lab fees | Uniform, athletic, field-trip, PTO and graduation fees |
| Academic after-school programs run by the school | Before- and after-care (child care) |