Overview
Education Spending Accounts (Program-funded), Microgrants, and state scholarships enable eligible families to utilize state-provided funds for educational opportunities, including wellness, tutoring, and more. Eligible families in select states can now purchase wallet funds on their state program’s marketplace to be used for program-approved Outschool classes.
This article addresses frequently asked questions and provides answers for prospective and existing Outschool families with public funding.
Class eligibility FAQs
Which Outschool classes are eligible for program-funded wallets?
Families who have program-funded wallets will be placed in a filtered shopping experience that only shows classes that are approved by your program.
Important: Some states only allow enrollment in classes that are specific subjects or taught by an educator with specific credentials. More information on approved expenses can be found in your program’s parent handbook.
Can I enroll in a class that is not approved for program-funded wallets?
If you would like to enroll in a class that is not approved for program-funded wallets, you can remove the filter and then sign up for the class with your credit card or Outschool membership.
Learner funds FAQs
Can all of my learners use the same program-funded wallets?
No, program-funded wallets purchased through state programs are tied to the learner who is the recipient of the program funds. These wallet funds can only be used to sign up for classes for that one learner.
If you would like to enroll in classes for a learner who does not have program funds, you are welcome to purchase enrollments with your credit card or choose an Outschool membership.
I have more than one child enrolled in a state program. Can I buy program-funded wallets for each eligible learner?
Yes! You can purchase separate bundles of program-funded wallet funds for each eligible learner in the state program. Just be sure to buy the correct bundle under the specific learner’s name and ID, as wallet funds cannot be shared between siblings.
If only one of your children qualifies for program funds, you can use those funds to purchase wallet funds for that learner. For the child who is not eligible, you can pay for classes using your credit card.
Wallet fund setup FAQs
What if my Outschool account email doesn’t match the email on my program-funded order?
The email address on your Outschool account must be the same as the address on your program-funded order. If the address is different, you can add a secondary email to your Outschool account.
What if I created two Outschool parent accounts while using program-funded wallets?
If you accidentally created two Outschool parent accounts while using program-funded wallets, you can merge these accounts so that all of your enrollments are on the same account.
What if I purchased program-funded wallets under the wrong learner’s name?
In state-funded programs, wallet funds are tied to a specific learner’s eligibility. If program-funded amounts are accidentally purchased under the wrong learner, please contact Outschool Support as soon as possible.
What should I do if my program-funded wallet bundle was approved by the state, but hasn’t been added to my Outschool account after 3 business days?
First, confirm that your order was successfully placed in your state marketplace and that the associated Outschool account email matches. If wallet funds still haven’t appeared, please reach out to Outschool Support with your order confirmation and the email address used to purchase.
Wallet fund and payment FAQs
Why do I need to add a credit card if I have a program-funded wallet?
If you are new to Outschool, you’ll be asked to enter your credit card information for the limited purpose of providing identity verification. In other words, your use of a credit card serves as proof that you are the learner’s parent or guardian.
If a class has a recurring payment cadence, you will be prompted to add your credit card as an optional backup in case you run out of funds. This will ensure that there is no interruption to your learners’ enrollments.
How do recurring weekly payments work with program-funded wallets?
When you click the subscribe button for a recurring weekly class, select weekly payments for fixed-length classes, or enroll in tutoring, the weekly payment will be automatically deducted from your Outschool wallet funds.
If there are not enough wallet funds in your wallet funds to cover the weekly payment, funds will be drawn from your Outschool wallet funds first, and then the remainder will be charged to the credit card on file. This ensures your learner’s enrollment continues without interruption, even after your program-funded amount runs out.
You can also choose to pay for future classes directly using your credit card or an active Outschool Membership.
How do other payment methods work with program-funded wallets?
If a family has Outschool membership credits and program-funded wallets, we will debit for enrollments in the following order:
Program-funded wallets will be used first for the learner they are assigned to
Membership credits will be used next for:
Learners who do not have enough wallet funds to complete a purchase.
All enrollments for learners who do not have a program-funded wallet
Any other credit on the account, such as voucher or gift card credits, will be used next.
Last, we will charge the card on file.
Note about state funding and gift cards:
Families who use alternative or state-funded programs may also purchase or receive Outschool gift cards for personal use. When a gift card is redeemed, the amount is added to your Outschool account as a stored balance, the same way it works for all accounts. Stored balance from gift cards can be used for personal purchases on Outschool, including Outschool memberships or class enrollments, depending on how your learner is enrolled.
Can I use personal payment methods after my program-funded wallet runs out?
Yes! Once you’ve used all your available wallet funds, you can continue to sign up for classes by paying out of pocket. Simply add a credit card to your account to pay directly, or choose an Outschool Membership to access ongoing learning at a discounted rate. If your state program provides additional funds later, those funds will automatically apply to future eligible enrollments.
What is the difference between Outschool membership and program-funded wallet funds?
An Outschool Membership is a monthly subscription offering access to classes and benefits, paid personally via credit card. Program-funded bundles are limited to approved classes and are not interchangeable with membership credits. Each has its own use case and benefit.
Wallet fund FAQs
How can I track my program-funded wallet balance and usage?
You can view your current program-funded wallet balance, transaction history, and usage by visiting your Outschool Transactions Page. From your Parent Dashboard, go to the Transactions tab to see your balance and history.
How can I add funds to my program-funded wallet?
To add additional funds to your Outschool account, create a new order through your program’s marketplace.
Unused wallet fund and refund FAQs
Do I have to use program-funded amounts by a certain date?
Unused wallet funds don’t expire. As long as your learner is still enrolled in the state program and the program is still active, you will have access to your Outschool funds.
If the state program ends or your learner is no longer eligible for the program, unused program-funded amounts may be removed from your account and funds returned to the state program.
Are unused program-funded wallets refundable?
Program-funded wallet bundles are non-refundable and cannot be converted to cash or transferred to another learner. If your learner is no longer enrolled in the program or if the program ends, unused funds may expire or be returned to your state, based on state policy.
How do refunds work when I enroll in classes with wallet funds?
When you receive a refund from Outschool for a class enrolled in with your program-funded wallet, you’ll receive a confirmation email immediately, and the refund will be returned to your program-funded balance on Outschool.
You can view your balance at any time from your Outschool account or your account transactions page.
What happens if a class paid for with wallet funds gets canceled?
If Outschool or an educator cancels a class that was paid for with your program-funded balance, your refund will be automatically returned to your Outschool account. The funds will remain tied to the original learner and can be reused for another approved class.
Can I request that amounts in my program-funded wallet be returned to my program?
Once program-funded wallet amounts have been added to your Outschool account, they are not redeemable for cash, and may not be returned for cash or other refunds. Click here to learn more.
State program and support FAQs
Where can I find information about my state program?
What Is an Education Savings Account (ESA)? A State-by-State Guide: Learn about Program-funded scholarships, microgrants, and other education funding options.
Outschool ESA (Program-funded) Resources: Browse Outschool blog posts about ESA and public funding programs.
Using State Public Funding Programs to Purchase Outschool Classes: Learn how families can find the correct purchase path for their state or funding program.
When should I contact Outschool Support about program-funded wallets?
Contact Outschool Support if your question is about your Outschool account, your Outschool balance, or a program-funded wallet order that has not appeared after three business days.
