Homeschool funding & ESAs in New York

Can I get paid to homeschool in New York?

No. New York 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: New York'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.

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

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

Notice

Yes. New York requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Local school district superintendent. How: Written letter of intent → the district sends an IHIP form to complete. When: By July 1, or within 14 days of starting; the IHIP is returned within 4 weeks of receipt. School year runs Jul 1–Jun 30; the IHIP identifies materials and objectives by subject for each child. A child who turns 16 between July 1 and June 30 is of compulsory age for that entire school year. Compulsory attendance ends at 16 statewide (Education Law § 3205(1)(a)), but a district board may require minors who are not employed to attend until the last day of session in the school year they turn 17 (§ 3205(3)); NYSED names New York City as a district that has done so. Confirm your own district's rule before you stop filing the IHIP, quarterly reports and annual assessment.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. New York requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Annual. Accepted options: commercial norm-referenced standardized test (≥33rd percentile or one year's growth); Grades 1–3: a written narrative by a certified teacher / peer panel / qualified reviewer (allowed every year); Grades 4–8: a written narrative is allowed only in alternate years; and Grades 9–12: a standardized test is required every year. Annual assessment, but the form varies by grade band: grades 1–3 may use a narrative every year; grades 4–8 require a standardized test in alternate years (narrative between); grades 9–12 require a test every year. Below the 33rd percentile triggers a remedial plan.

Days and hours

New York's rule: 900 hours/year (grades 1–6); 990 hours/year (grades 7–12).

Records

New York requires these records: IHIP, four quarterly progress reports/year, annual assessment results, and hours/attendance records. Quarterly reports are filed on the dates set in the IHIP and show progress + hours per subject.

Full New York 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 →