Homeschool funding & ESAs in Maryland

Can I get paid to homeschool in Maryland?

No. Maryland 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. Maryland's homeschool rules require no test or evaluation, and how the year is reviewed depends on the pathway you choose — the testing line below has the reviewed wording. What Maryland asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

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

Maryland does not require a test or an evaluation, and how the year is reviewed depends on the pathway you choose: The local school system reviews a portfolio; an umbrella sets its own oversight. What Maryland asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. Maryland requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: The local school superintendent or designee — your school system's home instruction office. Every family files the notification form there, whether it chooses portfolio review by the local school system or supervision by an umbrella. How: Written notice/consent form. When: At least 15 days before starting. Then every year, before the school year begins, verify that home instruction is continuing — with the local superintendent if the school system reviews your portfolio, or with the umbrella that supervises the program (COMAR 13A.10.01.01B(2)). Report any change in your child's home school status during the year (.01B(3)). The umbrella is chosen on the form, not instead of it. COMAR 13A.10.01.05A excuses an umbrella-supervised family from the rest of the home instruction regulation but keeps Regulation.01B(1)(b) — the signed statement filed with the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting. The umbrella then supervises the program and, under.05C, tells the superintendent each year which of its students are continuing, newly added, or no longer under its supervision.

Testing or evaluation

No. Maryland does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. The local school system reviews a portfolio; an umbrella sets its own oversight. No statewide standardized test under any pathway. Accountability runs through the local school system's portfolio review or through the umbrella.

Days and hours

None. Maryland does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No statutory days/hours; instruction must be regular throughout the year.

Records

Maryland requires these records: A portfolio of materials showing regular, thorough instruction in the required subjects — the regulation's examples are instructional materials, reading materials, and the child's writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and tests (portfolio-review pathway; an umbrella-supervised family keeps what its umbrella asks for). How long, or where they go: Reviewed at the end of each semester, no more than three times a school year (portfolio-review pathway). On the portfolio pathway the superintendent or designee reviews the portfolio at the end of each semester, at a time you both agree to, and COMAR 13A.10.01.01E(3) caps reviews at three in a school year. The list of materials is illustrative rather than a checklist: the regulation says the portfolio includes relevant materials 'such as' those items, and MSDE's home instruction page describes them as items a parent may provide. An umbrella-supervised family is outside COMAR 13A.10.01.01D entirely (.05A) and keeps what its umbrella requires.

Full Maryland 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 →