Homeschool funding & ESAs in North Carolina

Can I get paid to homeschool in North Carolina?

Not as a salary. What North Carolina offers is an education savings account, for a student with a qualifying disability: the Education Student Accounts Plus (ESA+) puts about $9,000 per student per year into an account you spend on expenses the program approves, rather than paying you to teach. An ESA comes with conditions — what the money may be spent on, what has to be reported, and in some states whether the child is still counted as a homeschooler. The program details below set those out. 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: North Carolina'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.

North Carolina ESA program

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

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

Notice

Yes. North Carolina requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: NC Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE). How: Notice of Intent filed online (school name/address, chief administrator, students). When: Before beginning operation (and a closure notice when ending). NC home schools are a type of nonpublic school. No annual renewal — the school stays open until closed. Notice goes to the state DNPE, not the local district.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. North Carolina requires a standardized test. How often: Annual. What is accepted: Any nationally-normed standardized test covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics (the parent may administer it if the publisher allows). Annual testing for every student regardless of grade; no minimum score and no state action on low scores; results are kept on file at least 1 year, not submitted.

Days and hours

North Carolina's rule: Operate on a regular schedule at least 9 calendar months; keep annual attendance records.

Records

North Carolina requires these records: annual standardized test results, attendance records, and immunization records. How long, or where they go: Test results kept at least 1 year (DNPE recommends permanently). Test results are kept on file (not submitted) and provided to DNPE on request.

Full North Carolina homeschool requirements →

Common questions about homeschool funding in North Carolina

Does North Carolina have an education savings account (ESA) for homeschoolers?

Yes, for a student with a qualifying disability. North Carolina offers the Education Student Accounts Plus (ESA+) (about $9,000 per student per year), which independent homeschooling families can use for approved education expenses.

How much is North Carolina's homeschool ESA worth?

Education Student Accounts Plus (ESA+) provides approximately $9,000 per eligible student per year. Awards and eligibility change from year to year — confirm the current amount with the program before you rely on it.

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 →