Homeschool funding & ESAs in Arizona

Can I get paid to homeschool in Arizona?

Not as a salary. What Arizona offers is an education savings account: the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) puts about $7,500 per student per year into an account you spend on expenses the program approves, rather than paying you to teach. An ESA comes with conditions — what the money may be spent on, what has to be reported, and in some states whether the child is still counted as a homeschooler. The program details below set those out. Romeschool tracks and organizes what you spend, so a receipt is ready the moment a program asks for one — it never files or submits anything on your behalf. Arizona's homeschool rules require no test or evaluation of their own, so there is nothing on that side to arrange.

Arizona ESA program

What does Arizona require of homeschoolers — and what should I plan for?

Arizona does not require a test or an evaluation, so there is no assessment to arrange. What Arizona asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. Arizona requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: County school superintendent of the county where the family resides. How: Notarized Affidavit of Intent, plus proof of the child's identity and age. When: Within 30 days of beginning home instruction. Re-file only if homeschooling is terminated and later resumed. If you filed the delayed-start affidavit for a 6- or 7-year-old, file the ordinary affidavit within 30 days of the day instruction actually begins. Do not file for children under 6 or over 16. Failure to file is a petty offense. If your child is 6 or 7, has not turned 8 by September 1, and you do not want to begin home instruction until age 8, you still file an affidavit of intent — one that says you are delaying instruction until your child turns 8 (A.R.S. § 15-802(B)(3)). The ordinary affidavit then applies for the school year in which your child has turned 8 by September 1.

Testing or evaluation

No. Arizona does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. Homeschooled students are explicitly exempt from statewide assessments.

Days and hours

None. Arizona does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No attendance or hours requirement.

Records

Arizona does not require homeschooling families to keep specific records. No portfolio or records mandate.

Full Arizona homeschool requirements →

Common questions about homeschool funding in Arizona

Does Arizona have an education savings account (ESA) for homeschoolers?

Yes. Arizona offers the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) (about $7,500 per student per year), which independent homeschooling families can use for approved education expenses. Taking it changes the child's legal status — the note above the programs on this page says how. Arizona's ESA is universal. Accepting it reclassifies the child as an 'ESA student' (not a homeschooler): the affidavit is withdrawn and quarterly reporting + clawback risk apply. Direct-to-family (not gated).

How much is Arizona's homeschool ESA worth?

Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) provides approximately $7,500 per eligible student per year. Awards and eligibility change from year to year — confirm the current amount with the program before you rely on it.

Nationwide grants

• ACT Today! Grant · Autism Care Today
  For U.S. families of a child with an autism diagnosis (priority to household income under $100k).
  Open to any family of a child with autism — not homeschool-specific, but useful for therapy costs.
• Dyslexia Services Foundation Grant · Dyslexia Services Foundation
  For low-income U.S. children with dyslexia who cannot otherwise afford treatment (need shown via free/reduced lunch, Medicaid, or SNAP).
  Typically identified through a teacher or provider; not homeschool-specific.
• HSLDA Compassion Curriculum Grant · Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
  For HSLDA members with significant financial need (legal custody of a child 6-19, homeschooling 3+ months).
  You must privately fund your homeschool (not receiving ESA or other public funds).
• HSLDA Disaster Relief Grant · Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
  For homeschooling families (child 6-19) with physical disaster damage in the past 18 months.
• MyGOAL Autism Grant · MyGOAL Inc.
  For the primary caregiver of a child under 18 with autism, with demonstrated financial need.
  Open to any family of a child with autism — not homeschool-specific.
• Our Military Kids Grant · Our Military Kids
  For children (1-18) of deployed National Guard/Reserve members (60+ days) or of post-9/11 combat-injured service members and veterans.
  Funds organized, provider-led activities (not parent-taught core instruction).
• UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Grant · UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
  For U.S. children aged 16 or under with commercial (non-public) health insurance, subject to income guidelines.
  Medical (not education) funding — useful for special-needs homeschoolers' therapy costs.

Full details, amounts and deadlines for every program →