Skip to content

Mississippi Homeschool Funding

← Back to map
Last updated: October 8, 2025

Mississippi Homeschool Funding

ESA (special needs), dyslexia & speech-language scholarships, and homeschool status.

MS
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: Education Scholarship Account (ESA) — “Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs”

Admin: Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education

Typical award

Amount: Equal to the State Base Student Cost (set annually by the state). See the current year on the ESA “Dates” page.

Disbursement: ESA account funded quarterly; parents pay participating schools/providers through the ESA portal per program rules.

Who qualifies

  • Residency: Mississippi resident, K–12 age.
  • Need: Student has an active IEP (or had one within the last three years).
  • Setting: Funds are used at participating private schools or approved providers. ESA funds cannot be used while a student is in a home instruction (homeschool) program.

Timeline

  • Application window: Opens ahead of each school year; rolling until seats/funds are filled (waitlist common).
  • Funding cycle: Quarterly (state fiscal year).
  • Renewal: Required annually to continue benefits.

Overview

Mississippi does not fund independent homeschool purchases. State aid is targeted to specific needs via scholarships that follow the child to an approved private school or therapy provider. The primary program is the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) for students with disabilities. Separate programs exist for dyslexia therapy and for speech-language therapy. Homeschooling independently requires filing a Certificate of Enrollment each year with the local attendance officer.

Programs

Education Scholarship Account (ESA)

  • Type: Education savings account (special needs).
  • Award: Equal to the State Base Student Cost; deposited quarterly.
  • Uses: Tuition/fees at participating private schools, curriculum/textbooks, tutoring, diagnostic testing, educational therapies (OT/PT/SLP), certain online programs, exam fees, limited transportation, and other allowable items (preapproval may be required).
  • Admin: MDE — Office of Special Education.

ESA program hub (MDE)  |  Allowable expenses  |  Dates & funding

Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship (K–12)

  • Type: State scholarship for students with a formal dyslexia diagnosis to attend approved dyslexia therapy programs/schools with licensed dyslexia therapists.
  • Award: Up to the State Base Student Cost (varies by year).
  • Uses: Tuition/required fees at approved dyslexia therapy schools/programs.
  • Admin: Mississippi Department of Education.

Scholarships portal (apply/check status)

Nate Rogers Scholarship for Speech-Language Therapy (K–12)

  • Type: Scholarship for students with qualifying speech-language impairments to attend approved therapy programs/schools.
  • Award: Up to the State Base Student Cost (varies by year).
  • Uses: Tuition/required fees at participating providers; focuses on speech-language therapy services.
  • Admin: Mississippi Department of Education.

Program page (MDE)  |  Apply online

Important: ESA funds cannot be used while a student is in a home instruction (homeschool) program, and a student cannot participate in ESA and the Dyslexia or Speech-Language scholarships at the same time (see ESA FAQ).

Eligibility

  • Residency: Student resides in Mississippi (K–12 age).
  • ESA: Active IEP (or an IEP in effect within the last 3 years); must use funds at a participating private school/provider.
  • Dyslexia: Formal dyslexia diagnosis; acceptance into an MDE-approved dyslexia therapy school/program (licensed therapist).
  • Speech-Language: Documented speech-language impairment; acceptance into an approved program/provider.
  • Homeschool status: Families may homeschool independently, but these scholarships generally do not pay for homeschool purchases when the student remains in home instruction.

How to apply

  1. Choose the program (ESA, Dyslexia, or Speech-Language) and confirm eligibility.
  2. Gather documents: proof of residency, birth certificate, IEP (ESA) or evaluation/diagnosis (Dyslexia/S-L), and acceptance letter from a participating school/provider if required.
  3. Create an account and submit your application in the scholarships portal.
  4. After approval, select/confirm the participating school/provider and request/pay approved expenses through the portal. Keep receipts and follow pre-approval rules where required.

Go to ESA hub   Open scholarships portal

Covered expenses

  • ESA: Private school tuition/fees
  • Textbooks & curriculum (approved list)
  • Tutoring/instructional services
  • OT/PT/SLP & other therapies
  • Diagnostics & standardized testing
  • Online programs & educational software
  • Exam fees & certain supplies (caps may apply)
  • Limited transportation allowances
  • Dyslexia & Speech-Language: Tuition/fees at approved therapy schools/programs
  • Always check the current Allowable Expenses before purchasing.

Deadlines

Milestone Date Notes
ESA application window Opens before each school year Rolling until spots fill; waitlist possible
ESA quarterly funding State fiscal quarters Claims/purchases must follow MDE timelines
Annual renewal Late spring–summer Re-enroll and verify eligibility each year

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Can ESA funds be used while homeschooling?
No. ESA funds cannot be used while a student is in a home instruction program; the student must be enrolled with a participating private school/provider to spend ESA funds.
Can we use ESA and a dyslexia or speech-language scholarship at the same time?
No. Students generally may not participate in ESA simultaneously with the Dyslexia Therapy or Speech-Language scholarship programs.
Do we have to file anything if we homeschool independently?
Yes. File a Certificate of Enrollment with your county school attendance officer (Compulsory Attendance).

Contacts

Program support

ESA hub: MDE ESA
Scholarships portal: scholarships.mdek12.org

Mississippi Department of Education

mdek12.org

Law & regulations