Many parents and children are switching over to homeschooling in this day and age.
This is because public schooling doesn’t always offer the best methods of education for lots of kids, and in a lot of situations, it’s easier to homeschool.
But one of the biggest issues that parents face when it comes to homeschooling is the cost.
Sure, you can keep those costs down to a minimum, but you will still have to spend a decent amount of money to make sure your kids are getting the best quality of education.
One thing that is available in a lot of circumstances is homeschooling grants- but where exactly can you find them?
We have put together a guide to homeschooling grants that will help you understand your options and make the best decisions for you and your children.
So read on to find out everything you need to know.
What Are Homeschooling Grants?
Homeschooling grants are pretty much exactly what they sound like- funding that is exclusively for homeschooled children and parents.
Every state has different options that you can look into, but most follow a similar system, so once you learn about the general information, it is translatable across the states.
In a lot of states, the government actively funds homeschooling as well, so it is important to look into all of your options before you come to any conclusions.
You will find everything you need to know about homeschooling grant options in this guide.
Different Homeschooling Grant Options
Homeschooling grants and their options do vary from state to state, but most will have similar options that you can choose from.
Below, you will find general homeschooling grant options that can be found in most states.
These options will help you get started and direct you to areas you should be focusing on to find a grant that works for you.
HSLDA Compassion Grants
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) actually has three different kinds of grants that you can look into, and they provide the following:
Curriculum Grant: This is a type of mini-grant that will help you with curriculum-based things such as school supplies, testing, co-op classes, and school-related tech. This grant is the HSLDA’s most popular type of grant, so it is important to apply as early as possible to secure your place.
Disaster Relief Grant: If you are homeschooling and you live in an area that has been affected by a natural disaster within the last year, then this HSLDA grant could be just what you need to help. It is specifically used to help replace school equipment, displacement costs, and even household goods.
HSLDA Annual Group Grants: This grant is applicable to you if you are a part of any co-op, homeschool association, or group. You can find out all the necessary details surrounding this grant on the HSLDA website.
Government Funding
What you might not be aware of is that there is actually a lot of government funding available across the United States for homeschooling.
It isn’t widely talked about, though, which is why lots of homeschooling parents don’t know about it.
You do have to take a bit of initiative and be proactive in your approach when seeking this funding, so use the tips below to help you.
Check Your State: As previously mentioned, grants and government funding do vary from state to state, which is why it is important to do your research on your own personal state and see what help and funding are available.
Check Your Local School District: To find out everything you need to know, your best option is to check through your local school district. This is where you will find out information about state and federal funding, as well as if you are entitled to any yourself. You will have to jump through a few hoops, and it isn’t exactly an easy process to get through, but it is worth it if you need extra funding or grants in order to homeschool your children.
Public School Atheltic Teams: What you might not know is that in most states, homeschooled children who are serious about sports can usually join public school athletic teams. When they do this, there is a chance they will be eligible for some grants or funding. Contact your school district for more information about this and to see what you need to do in order to get funding.
Other Options
While the HSLDA and Government Funding are two of the most popular options to get grants, there are some other options you can look into if you are just looking to save a bit of money.
If the first two options are not helpful, one of the best things you can do is look into Community or Technical Colleges in your area.
While they won’t be able to offer your funding or grants, lots of them will have courses that are completely free, and your child will be able to enroll in these courses.
Another option you can look into is to do with field trips. If you are planning on taking your children on a field trip, contact the place you are taking them to directly and see if they can offer free or discounted admission for your homeschoolers.
You would be surprised by how many locations and sites are willing to help in this regard.
These examples will not get you grants, but they will help dramatically in cutting costs while still allowing your children to get a good homeschooled education.
They are a good place to start when you don’t know where to look and can take a lot of stress away while you are searching for grants.
Where To Find Funding For Homeschooling
Sometimes, knowing where to start is the hardest thing, especially if you are new to the homeschooling world as a parent.
Below, you will find a step-by-step guide to help you find funding for homeschooling.
Do each of these steps in order, and you should be able to find the help that you need.
Step 1: School District
We have briefly covered this already, but before you do anything else, it is always in your best interest to contact your local district first.
They will be able to provide you will all the basic information you need, and they can usually tell you outright if funding and grants are even an option in your state.
Even if they cannot help you get grants, most school districts will be able to help with other things.
Most homeschooled kids are able to check laptops/computers, books, and other tech equipment from schools local to their area. This is just one example.
Another thing that local schools and the school district can help with is tutoring.
Lots of states have grant money available to help you pay for tutors and even other fees a student may have if they are not going to public school.
Step 2: Homeschool Groups
Being a part of homeschooling groups has lots of advantages, and in a lot of cases, they can help you if your school district can’t.
Lots of grant-giving organizations are usually more willing to help with funding if you are a part of a larger group rather than as an individual, so this is worth looking into.
Some homeschooling groups even have access to funding for computer and book lending programs, funding for educational programs, they can fund social events, and, in some cases, they can even fund things like gym programs.
Step 3: Other Educational Institutions
We have already talked about technical schools and community colleges, but we are bringing them up again because they should never be overlooked when it comes to helping homeschoolers.
If you are not part of a homeschooling group, these institutions are usually the next best thing you can turn to.
In a lot of states, technical schools and community colleges have quite a few free online classes and courses that are available for homeschoolers, and some even receive grants that allow homeschoolers to use their facilities.
While these other educational institutions cannot give you grants and funding directly, they can be a massive help, especially if you are struggling financially and need extra resources.
It is worth setting up a meeting with these institutions to see what options are available for you and your children.
Finding homeschooling grants and funding is not easy, but once you know where to look, it can take a lot of stress away from the process.
You should always seek assistance and guidance from your school district first, but as you can see, there are quite a few options you can look into.
If you aren’t a part of a homeschooling group yet, that is something that you should look into as well.
Remember, every state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to funding, but you can use our guide as a general template when you are working out where to start.
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