Homeschool funding & ESAs in North Dakota

Can I get paid to homeschool in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota 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: North Dakota's homeschool rules require a test or an evaluation in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. 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 North Dakota require of homeschoolers — and what should I plan for?

North Dakota requires a test or an evaluation in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. That is the part of the year a family arranges ahead of time. Which options North Dakota 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 Dakota asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. North Dakota requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Superintendent of the resident school district. How: Statement of Intent (SFN 16909). When: At least 5 days before starting; by September 10 annually for continuing students. Annual re-filing; also notify within 14 days of moving to a new district.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. North Dakota requires a standardized test. How often: In the specified grades only. What is accepted: The district's standardized achievement test (a nationally-normed test if the parent requests), administered by a licensed teacher. Testing in grades 4, 6, 8, 10; results filed with the superintendent. Exemption: a parent may opt out via a philosophical/moral/religious objection if they hold a teaching license, a baccalaureate degree, or meet the national teacher-exam cutoff. Scores below the 50th percentile may trigger required monitoring.

Days and hours

North Dakota's rule: 175 days, at least 4 hours/day (NDCC 15.1-23-06).

Records

North Dakota requires these records: annual records of courses taken, academic progress assessments, and standardized test results. How long, or where they go: Kept by the parent; monitored students file progress reports to the superintendent twice yearly. Monitored students require twice-yearly progress reports from the monitor.

Full North Dakota 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 →