Homeschool funding & ESAs in the District of Columbia

Can I get paid to homeschool in the District of Columbia?

No. The District of Columbia 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. The District of Columbia's homeschool rules require no test or evaluation of their own, so there is nothing on that side to arrange.

What does the District of Columbia require of homeschoolers — and what should I plan for?

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

Notice

Yes. The District of Columbia requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). How: Notification of Intent to Homeschool (5-E DCMR § 5202.1), filed online through OSSE's DC Homeschool portal at homeschool.dc.gov; the form records your consent to the chapter's requirements. Have a copy of your high-school diploma or equivalent ready — or email OSSE.Homeschool@dc.gov for the waiver form. OSSE emails a verification letter once it approves; give that letter to your child's current school to start the withdrawal, because until the child is formally withdrawn the school keeps marking absences. When: Initial notice at least 15 business days before starting; annual continuation by August 15. Three written notices go to OSSE. A Notification of Intent to Homeschool at least 15 business days before instruction begins (5-E DCMR § 5202.1). A continuation notice by August 15 of each year the program continues, identifying each child being homeschooled (§ 5203.1). And a Notification to Discontinue Homeschooling at least 15 business days before you stop, for any reason (§ 5203.2) — OSSE's family guide says to email that one to OSSE.Homeschool@dc.gov. Saturdays, Sundays and District holidays do not count toward either 15-day window.

Testing or evaluation

No. The District of Columbia does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No standardized testing required.

Days and hours

None. The District of Columbia does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No specific attendance-hours requirement.

Records

The District of Columbia requires these records: portfolio: evidence of the student's current work across the required subjects. How long, or where they go: At least one year. The rule says the portfolio 'should' be kept that long (5-E DCMR § 5205.2) and OSSE's guides for families say it must be — keep it the year. It has to be available for OSSE to review on written request. You never send the portfolio in. OSSE may ask to review it, and the rule sets conditions on the ask: it must be in writing, the review is held at a time and place both sides agree to, and there are no more than two reviews in a school year (§ 5206.1). Nothing in that section requires a regular review of every family's portfolio. OSSE's current guides add that it gives at least 30 days' written notice of a review date, and that a review may be held online or in person somewhere convenient, such as its offices or your local library.

Full District of Columbia 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 →