Homeschool funding & ESAs in California

Can I get paid to homeschool in California?

No. California has no ESA or voucher that independent homeschooling families can use. Nationwide grants are listed below, each with its own eligibility rules. 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. California's homeschool rules require no test or evaluation of their own, so there is nothing on that side to arrange.

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

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

Notice

Yes. California requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: California Department of Education (CDE). How: Private School Affidavit (PSA) filed online via the CDE portal. When: Annually, October 1–15 (the CDE system is open Aug 1–Jun 30 for mid-year starts). The PSA establishes the home as a private school; it is not state approval or licensing. The PSA captures faculty, courses of study, enrollment by grade, and the address of instruction.

Testing or evaluation

No. California does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No California statute requires testing for homeschoolers operating under the PSA private-school pathway.

Days and hours

California's rule: Maintain an attendance register documenting every absence of a half-day or more; keep available for inspection.

Records

California requires these records: attendance register, copy of the filed PSA, faculty names/qualifications, courses of study, and individual pupil records. Records are kept on-site at the home school (CCR Title 5 governs pupil records). Immunization records also required.

Full California homeschool requirements →

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 →