Understanding Your State’s Scholarship Options for Homeschooling

Why State Scholarship Funds Matter

Many families don’t realize that homeschooling may be financially supported through state-funded scholarship or school choice programs. These programs are designed to give families more flexibility in how and where their child learns, including the ability to use approved funds for curriculum, educational materials, therapies, and other learning supports.

For families homeschooling students with disabilities, these programs can make a meaningful difference. In states where Autism Oasis is an approved vendor, families may be able to use scholarship or education savings account (ESA) funds to purchase our curriculum as part of their child’s educational plan.

Understanding what programs are available in your state is often the first step.

What Are State Scholarship and School Choice Programs?

State scholarship and school choice programs are publicly funded initiatives that allow eligible families to direct education dollars toward approved educational expenses outside of traditional public schools. These programs may be referred to by different names depending on the state, including Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), scholarship accounts, school choice programs, or special needs scholarships.

While program details vary, many allow funds to be used for curriculum, instructional materials, tutoring, therapies, and other educational services that support individualized learning.

How These Funds Can Be Used for Homeschooling

For homeschool families, approved scholarship funds can help offset the cost of building a comprehensive and accessible learning environment. Depending on the program, families may be able to use funds for:

• Curriculum and instructional materials
• Online or hybrid learning programs
• Educational supplies and resources
• Specialized supports aligned with a student’s needs

In states where Autism Oasis is an approved vendor, our curriculum can be purchased using eligible scholarship funds, making it easier for families to access structured, supportive homeschool programming.

Finding Programs Available in Your State

Each state sets its own eligibility requirements, application process, and approved expenses. Some programs are open to a broad range of students, while others are specifically designed for students with disabilities or unique learning needs.

Because these programs are state-specific and can change over time, it’s important to reference up-to-date information when exploring your options.

Keeping Information Up to Date

State programs evolve, and vendor approvals can change throughout the year. We recommend bookmarking our State School Choice Programs page, as we update it whenever Autism Oasis is approved in a new state or program. This page serves as the most current reference for families looking to use scholarship funds with our curriculum.

Navigating state scholarship options can feel overwhelming at first, but these programs exist to give families more choice and flexibility in their child’s education. Taking the time to understand what’s available in your state can open the door to additional support and resources for your homeschool journey.

REFERENCES

1. Autism Oasis: State Funds Program Update — https://www.theautismoasis.com/blog/state-funds-program-update
2. Autism Oasis: State School Choice Programs — https://www.theautismoasis.com/State-School-Choice-Programs 
3. EdChoice: School Choice in America — https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/ 
4. U.S. Department of Education. Education Options and School
   Choice —  https://www.ed.gov/school-choice
   
   

Jennifer Bullock, Contributing Author

Homeschooling-experienced mom to a tween, non-speaking daughter, Jennifer is also Marketing Outreach Coordinator for The Autism Oasis. With 20+ years experience in marketing, advertising, and social media communications, you will see her occasionally supporting the blog and social media channels with various content related to Autism Oasis.