Homeschool funding & ESAs in Ohio
No. Ohio has no ESA or voucher that independent homeschooling families can use, but it does offer the Home Education Expenses Credit, a state tax credit. Eligibility and how to claim it are below. From age 6 to 18, Ohio asks for a notice, with no set instruction time, no testing or evaluation, and no required records. Nationwide grants are listed below, each with its own eligibility rules.
Ohio funding checked May 25, 2026 · Nationwide grants checked May 25, 2026 · Ohio requirements reviewed
Can I get paid to homeschool in Ohio?
No. Ohio has no ESA or voucher that independent homeschooling families can use. What Ohio does offer is the Home Education Expenses Credit, a state tax credit — eligibility and how to claim it 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. Ohio's homeschool rules require no test or evaluation of their own, so there is nothing on that side to arrange.
Ohio scholarships, grants & tax credits
Home Education Expenses Credit
Nonrefundable credit for homeschool expenses, up to $250 per qualifying student (the child must be excused from compulsory attendance). Excludes instruction by others and electronics.
What does Ohio require of homeschoolers — and what should I plan for?
Ohio does not require a test or an evaluation, so there is no assessment to arrange. What Ohio asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.
- Notice
- Yes. Ohio requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Superintendent of the resident school district. How: Written notice (paper or electronic; an official form exists but isn't required). When: Within 5 days of starting (or moving/withdrawing); annually by August 30. The superintendent acknowledges receipt within 14 days; the notice needs only the parent/child names plus an assurance of instruction in the required subjects.
- Testing or evaluation
- No. Ohio does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. HB 33 (eff. Oct 3, 2023) eliminated the prior annual academic-assessment requirement entirely — no testing, portfolio review, or progress report is required. Older sources describing an annual assessment are out of date.
- Days and hours
- None. Ohio does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No hours or days minimum under current ORC 3321.042.
- Records
- Ohio does not require homeschooling families to keep specific records. No portfolio, curriculum submission, or academic records required by statute.
Nationwide grants
- ACT Today! Grant · Autism Care TodayFor 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 FoundationFor 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 KidsFor 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 FoundationFor 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.
Ohio's home-education tax credit — receipts ready for tax time.
Ohio doesn't have a homeschool ESA, but it gives home educators a state income-tax credit of up to $250 per child. You pay out of pocket and claim it on your return — so your receipts (and your superintendent's excuse letter) are the whole record. The ESA Wallet keeps them organized and tax-ready.
- Every qualifying receipt captured for your return
- Your superintendent excuse letter kept with the records
- Spend tracked per child against the $250 credit
This is a tax credit, not an ESA — you keep your own receipts and claim it at tax time. (Ohio's old ACE enrichment account ended in 2025.)
Track Ohio receipts in the ESA Wallet →Funding programs change often. Romeschool organizes receipts and checks likely eligibility — it does not file or submit on your behalf. Confirm amounts, eligibility, and deadlines with each program before you rely on them.