Homeschool funding & ESAs in Illinois

Can I get paid to homeschool in Illinois?

No. Illinois has no ESA or voucher that independent homeschooling families can use. What Illinois does offer is the K-12 Education Expense Credit, a state tax credit — eligibility and how to claim it are below. 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. Illinois's homeschool rules require no test or evaluation of their own, so there is nothing on that side to arrange.

Illinois scholarships, grants & tax credits

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

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

Notice

No. Illinois does not require homeschooling families to file a notice. No registration with the state/ISBE (a voluntary registration form exists). Families withdrawing from public school should notify the school to avoid a truancy referral.

Testing or evaluation

No. Illinois does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No standardized testing required.

Days and hours

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

Records

Illinois does not require homeschooling families to keep specific records. No statutory record-keeping; the parent bears the burden of showing equivalent instruction if challenged.

Full Illinois 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 →