Want to know which states pay for homeschooling in 2024? This is a comprehensive guide of all the states that pay for homeschooling with details on how much the programs pay, which families qualify for payment, and more.
Homeschooling is on the rise across the country, and more and more states are funding school vouchers through Education Savings Accounts to give parents more choices in their children’s education. As a homeschool mom myself, it is important for me to know which states are the best for supporting school choice.
State programs that pay for homeschooling is one key indicator whether that state is an advocate for school choice. After learning about each state programs you will know the top states that fund homeschooling.
This post is about all the states that pay for homeschooling.
What are school vouchers?
School vouchers is the name given for money given to parents to pay for the education of their choosing for their child. The vouchers are typically used for private school, but in many cases, the state program allows homeschooling as a choice. Instead of tax dollars going to the neighborhood public school, the money follows the student to whichever school they attend. Some states with school voucher programs don’t include homeschool as an option. Some states with school voucher programs are only for specific students in certain demographics or under a specific income bracket.
Arizona
Arizona is one of the top states that pays for homeschooling. The state rolled out a brand new school voucher program in 2022 called the “Empowerment Scholarship Account” in which all students can qualify. Voucher payments start at $7300, with more money given to students such as those with disabilities. Around 68,000 students used the voucher last school year, and it is increasing for the upcoming school year. Students can apply HERE for the program.
Arkansas
A school voucher program, called “Education Freedom Accounts,” went into effect for the 2023-2024 school year, but homeschool was not an option to use with the vouchers. The program expands in the 2024-2025 school year to include homeschooled students. For homeschooled students, parents will not be paid to homeschool, but rather they can apply to be reimbursed for homeschool expenses such as curriculum.
Not every family can apply for the upcoming school year. It is a three year rollout policy, and in the second year of the program, 2024-2025, only students in school districts with a D or F rating can apply. For the 2025 school year, all students will be allowed to apply. Likely not all who apply will get accepted, however, due to caps on funding.
The voucher amount in 2023 was $6672 per student, and this year it will increase to around $6900.
Around 5400 students used the program last year, and in 2024, up to 14,000 can use the voucher.
Four Arkansas residents recently filed a lawsuit against this school choice program. Check out my thoughts in this video.
Eligibility
For the 2024 school year, only student enrolled in D or F rated schools can apply for the scholarship. More eligibility requirements can be found here.
Florida
Florida is one of the top states that pays for homeschooling.
In 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis passed the Personalized Education Program under the HB1 law. It was specifically created for students to be educated at home. This program greatly expanded the very limited previous school voucher program. With the new expanded program, 20,000 students received $7000 to $9000 in 2023. Vouchers were still prioritized for students under 400% of the federal poverty level.
For the 2024 to 2025 school year, the program more than double in size. Under the law, the program can grow 40,000 per year, for a total of up to 60,000 students enrolled in the upcoming school year. Students can apply here. As of right now, the scholarship amount is still not determined.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the latest states that passed a school choice law that will pay for homeschooling.
On April 23, 2024, Governor Kemp signed the law, SB 233, that will allow students in the bottom 25% of public schools to access a new scholarship program called The Georgia Promise Scholarship. Students will be allotted $6500 dollars and the money can be used for curriculum for homeschooling. Although there will be no family income requirements, priority will be given to students from families under 400% of the federal poverty level.
Although the program passed in 2024, the official start date is not until the 2025 school year.
Indiana
Need to look into it.
Oklahoma
Starting in 2024, Oklahoma supports homeschooling through a $1000 a tax credit per student. There was a 150 million limit for tax credits (inlcuding private school tax credits) and the limit was reached. Detailed information can be found here.
Utah
Utah is another brand new state to implement a school voucher program that will also pay for homeschooling.
This program is called the “Utah Fits all Scholarship” and it begins in the the 2024-2025 upcoming school year. 10,000 scholarships were awarded to be used for school choice options. Homeschool is included as a school choice option. It is an 8000 dollar, tax-free, scholarship, and priority is given to students of families in lower income brackets.
Regulations:
Homeschooled students using the scholarship will have to take a standardized exam or submit a portfolio.
More need to look into from chat gbt:
Alabama
Nebraska: Nebraska replaced its Opportunity Scholarship tax-credit scholarship program with a voucher program. This new voucher is available to students from households with incomes at or below 213% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) (EdChoice).
Missouri: Missouri expanded its Empowerment Scholarship Account program to include students statewide, raised the income eligibility threshold, and increased the funding cap from $50 million to $75 million (EdChoice).
Louisiana: Louisiana is working on the GATOR Scholarship Program, which is expected to provide universal eligibility with priority given to low-income and at-risk students. This program is still being finalized but is set to offer between $5,500 and $15,000 depending on family income and special needs (EdChoice).
New Hampshire: New Hampshire passed HB 1665 to expand its Education Freedom Account Program, increasing the eligibility threshold from 350% to 500% of the FPL (EdChoice).
States worth noting for 2024:
Some states are pushing for expanded school choice that would include homeschooling, but nothing has been passed.
Iowa
Although Iowa passed an extensive school choice voucher program in January of 2023, the policy excludes paying for homeschooling.
Tennessee
On November 28th, 2023, Governor Bill Lee proposed a program called the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which would expand the state’s current, limited school voucher program. The current program is only for lower income families in specific school districts, and it does not include an option for homeschool. This new proposal would expand to 20,000 students and would include homeschool. However, on April 22nd 2024, the governor announced that [it] would not pass the Tennessee General Assembly this session.
