Homeschool funding & ESAs in Pennsylvania

Can I get paid to homeschool in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania's homeschool rules require a test or an evaluation each year. The reviewed rules also record: standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8. 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 Pennsylvania require of homeschoolers — and what should I plan for?

Pennsylvania requires a test or an evaluation each year. That is the part of the year a family arranges ahead of time. The reviewed rules also record: standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8. Which options Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. Pennsylvania requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Superintendent of the resident school district. How: Notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) filed annually. When: By August 1 each year. The affidavit includes objectives by subject, an English-instruction assurance, immunization records, and a criminal-background certification.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. Pennsylvania requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Portfolio evaluation annually; standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8. Accepted options: annual portfolio evaluation by a qualified evaluator (every year, all grades) and standardized achievement test in grades 3, 5, 8 (PSSA or a nationally-normed test; the parent may not administer it). Two distinct, cumulative requirements: (1) an annual portfolio evaluation by a qualified evaluator every year at every grade (certification submitted by June 30); and (2) additionally a standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8 (the parent may not administer it). Qualified evaluator = licensed psychologist, PA-certified teacher (2+ yrs), or nonpublic teacher/administrator.

Days and hours

Pennsylvania's rule: 180 days or 900 hours/year at the elementary level (whichever is less); or 180 days or 990 hours/year at the secondary level (whichever is less). Per 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1.

Records

Pennsylvania requires these records: portfolio (work samples + activity log); standardized test results (grades 3, 5, 8); and annual written evaluation by a qualified evaluator. The portfolio is evaluated annually; the evaluator's certification (not the portfolio) is submitted to the superintendent by June 30.

Full Pennsylvania 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 →