Homeschool funding & ESAs in Florida

Can I get paid to homeschool in Florida?

Not as a salary. What Florida offers is an education savings account: the Personalized Education Program (PEP) / Step Up For Students puts about $8,000 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. It runs the other way too: Florida's homeschool rules require a test or an evaluation each year. The accepted options, and who administers each, are in the testing line below. If the option you choose charges a fee, plan for it.

Florida ESA program

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

Florida requires a test or an evaluation each year. That is the part of the year a family arranges ahead of time. Which options Florida accepts — and who administers each one — is in the testing line below, in the reviewed rules' own words. If the option you choose charges a fee, plan for it. What Florida asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. Florida requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: District school superintendent of the county where the parent resides. How: Written Notice of Intent signed by the parent. When: Within 30 days of establishing the home-education program (and within 30 days of moving into a county). The NOI lists the full legal names, addresses, and birthdates of all children. Terminating the program requires written notice within 30 days.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. Florida requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Annual. Accepted options: Florida-certified teacher reviews the portfolio; nationally-normed achievement test (certified teacher administers); state student assessment (certified teacher administers); evaluation by a licensed psychologist; and other tool mutually agreed with the superintendent. An annual evaluation is mandatory for every home-education program (not grade-pegged); the parent chooses among the five options.

Days and hours

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

Records

Florida requires these records: portfolio: contemporaneous log of activities with reading materials by title and samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative work. How long, or where they go: 2 years. The portfolio is preserved for 2 years and made available to the superintendent on 15 days' written notice. The superintendent may not assign a grade level.

Full Florida homeschool requirements →

Common questions about homeschool funding in Florida

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

Yes. Florida offers the Personalized Education Program (PEP) / Step Up For Students (about $8,000 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. Florida's PEP (administered by Step Up For Students) is homeschool-usable (independent).

How much is Florida's homeschool ESA worth?

Personalized Education Program (PEP) / Step Up For Students provides approximately $8,000 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 →