Homeschool funding & ESAs in Hawaii

Can I get paid to homeschool in Hawaii?

No. Hawaii 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. It runs the other way too: Hawaii's homeschool rules require a test or an evaluation each year. The reviewed rules also record: standardized test required at grades 3, 5, 8, 10. The accepted options, and who administers each, are in the testing line below. If the option you choose charges a fee, plan for it.

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

Hawaii requires a test or an evaluation each year. That is the part of the year a family arranges ahead of time. The reviewed rules also record: standardized test required at grades 3, 5, 8, 10. Which options Hawaii 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 Hawaii asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. Hawaii requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Principal of the public school the child would otherwise attend. How: Form 4140 (Exceptions to Compulsory Education) or a parent letter with the child's details and signature. When: Before homeschooling begins; also notify the principal when homeschooling ends. The principal and complex area superintendent acknowledge receipt; HAR Title 8, Ch. 12 governs. File before the school year in which your child is five by July 31 — since 2014-15 a child that age must be enrolled in kindergarten unless a notice of intent to homeschool is on file (HRS § 302A-1132(a), (c)). The age of six in HAR § 8-12-2's 'school age child' definition predates that change and is not the age the statute sets.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. Hawaii requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Annual progress report; standardized test required at grades 3, 5, 8, 10. Accepted options: standardized achievement test (required at grades 3, 5, 8, 10) and other grades: a nationally-normed test, a test showing one grade-level of annual progress, a Hawaii-certified-teacher evaluation, or a parent evaluation with work samples. At grades 3/5/8/10 the parent submits standardized test results to the principal; at other grades one of four progress-documentation options satisfies the annual report. Grade 10 remains the statutory peg even though public-school testing moved to grade 11.

Days and hours

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

Records

Hawaii requires these records: planned-curriculum record (start/end dates, weekly hours, subjects covered, materials). An annual progress report is submitted to the principal (see assessment).

Full Hawaii 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 →