Homeschool funding & ESAs in Minnesota

Can I get paid to homeschool in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota has no ESA or voucher that independent homeschooling families can use. What Minnesota does offer is the K-12 Education Credit (a state tax credit) and the K-12 Education Subtraction (a state tax deduction) — eligibility and how to claim them 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. It runs the other way too: Minnesota'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.

Minnesota scholarships, grants & tax credits

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

Minnesota requires a test or an evaluation each year. That is the part of the year a family arranges ahead of time. Which options Minnesota 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 Minnesota asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. Minnesota requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Resident district superintendent. How: Initial registration form (first year), then a letter of intent to continue. When: By October 1 each year (or within 15 days of withdrawing mid-year). Initial registration includes the child's details, instructor name(s), the intended annual test, and evidence of instructor qualification.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. Minnesota requires a standardized test. How often: Annual. What is accepted: Nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test agreed on with the superintendent. Annual testing for all students ages 7–17 (all grades, not grade-pegged). The test/location are mutually agreed; results go to the superintendent. A score at/below the 30th percentile triggers additional evaluation. Accredited homeschools are exempt.

Days and hours

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

Records

Minnesota requires these records: class schedules, copies of instructional materials, descriptions of assessment methods, and annual test results. How long, or where they go: Available to show the requirements are met. Accredited homeschools are exempt from the documentation requirements.

Full Minnesota 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 →