Last verified: October 2026
Can a Birmingham family pay for textbooks with a CHOOSE Act ESA?
Yes. Textbooks in art, English language arts, foreign languages, math, music, religion, science (including computer science and engineering) and social studies.
Textbooks in art, English language arts, foreign languages, math, music, religion, science (including computer science and engineering) and social studies.
The same subject list applies to home-educated students.
SGO scholarships go to tuition.
What rules apply to textbooks?
- Buy through the ClassWallet Marketplace or pay an approved vendor; there is no reimbursement of receipts.
- Book fees billed by a participating school can be paid as a school fee instead.
What counts and what doesn't
| Counts, under these rules | Doesn't count |
|---|---|
| Buy through the ClassWallet Marketplace or pay an approved vendor; there is no reimbursement of receipts. | Books outside the listed subject areas |
| Book fees billed by a participating school can be paid as a school fee instead. | Bulk orders beyond what one student uses in a year |
What does this look like in Jefferson and Shelby counties?
When a participating school bills a book fee instead of a book list, that fee is on the approved school-fee list and can be paid from the account.
Source: ClassWallet, CHOOSE Act Alabama Parent Guide 2026-2027; CHOOSE Act (Act 2024-21). A summary, not legal advice; ALDOR's rules and ClassWallet's review decide each purchase.