Pennsylvania Homeschool Funding
Cyber charters, EITC/OSTC scholarships.
PA
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) & Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) scholarships (via approved Scholarship Organizations); Public Cyber Charter Schools (alternative to homeschooling)
Admin: PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development (DCED) administers EITC/OSTC; PA Dept. of Education (PDE) oversees cyber charters. [See DCED program pages.]
Typical award
Amount: EITC: varies by Scholarship Organization (SO). OSTC: up to about $8,500/yr (most students) or $15,000/yr (students with disabilities), set by DCED program rules. [OSTC caps per DCED.]
Disbursement: Private scholarship paid to participating nonpublic school (tuition/fees). Cyber charters are public schools and do not provide cash to families.
Who qualifies
- Residency: Pennsylvania resident.
- Age/grade: K–12 students.
- Income/other: EITC/OSTC scholarships generally require household income at or below a yearly threshold (e.g., $116,055 + $20,428 per dependent, latest DCED figure) and application through an approved SO; OSTC also requires residence in a “low-achieving” public school boundary and acceptance at a participating nonpublic school. [Threshold & low-achieving definition from DCED.]
Timeline
- Application opens: Set by each Scholarship Organization (often spring–summer).
- Deadline: Varies; many operate first-come, first-served until funds are exhausted.
- Fund availability: Typically before/at the start of the school year once awards are issued.
Overview
Pennsylvania does not offer a statewide ESA or reimbursement program for families operating a home education program. However, two state-authorized tax-credit scholarship programs—EITC and OSTC—allow approved Scholarship Organizations to award private scholarships primarily for nonpublic school tuition and required fees. Separately, families may enroll in public cyber charter schools (tuition-free online public schools) as an alternative to independent homeschooling; cyber charters provide curriculum/services directly and do not reimburse families. [Program details from DCED OSTC/EITC pages.]
Programs
Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) – K–12 Scholarships
- Type: Private scholarship (funded by business/individual tax credits via DCED) awarded by approved Scholarship Organizations (SOs).
- Award: Varies by SO and tuition/need; SOs set amounts and priorities.
- Uses: Tuition and eligible school fees at participating nonpublic K–12 schools.
- Admin: DCED oversees the program and approves SOs; families apply to SOs. [DCED EITC page.]
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)
- Type: Private scholarship (tax-credit funded) for students residing in boundaries of “low-achieving” public schools.
- Award: Up to approx. $8,500 (most students) or $15,000 (students with disabilities) per year; SOs determine final amounts. [DCED OSTC caps.]
- Uses: Tuition and school-related fees at participating nonpublic schools.
- Admin: DCED; awards made by approved SOs. [DCED OSTC page.]
Public Cyber Charter Schools (Alternative to Homeschooling)
- Type: Public school enrollment (online); not a funding program.
- Award: N/A (tuition-free enrollment; school provides curriculum/teachers and often devices/services).
- Uses: School provides approved coursework and materials; families don’t receive reimbursements.
- Admin: Authorized and overseen by PDE/authorizers; enrollment handled by each cyber charter.
Eligibility
- EITC (scholarships): PA resident K–12 student; household income at/below DCED’s annual threshold (e.g., ~$116,055 + $20,428 per dependent, latest figure). Apply through an approved Scholarship Organization. [DCED EITC page lists student income threshold.]
- OSTC (scholarships): Must also reside in the boundary of a state-identified “low-achieving” public school and attend a participating nonpublic school; same income rules apply; higher caps for students with disabilities. [DCED OSTC page defines “low-achieving” and caps.]
- Homeschool note: Home education programs are not nonpublic schools; scholarships are generally for tuition/fees at participating schools. Families educating at home typically do not receive EITC/OSTC funds unless the student enrolls in an eligible private school.
- Cyber charters: Open to PA K–12 residents; no income or prior enrollment requirement; enrollment replaces independent homeschooling while enrolled.
How to apply
- Find a Scholarship Organization (SO): Identify approved SOs serving your county/school type (many list priorities, deadlines, and forms on their sites). Start at DCED’s EITC page or DCED’s OSTC page for program overviews and links.
- Prepare documents: Proof of PA residency, student age/grade, prior-year income (e.g., tax return/W-2), and—if applying for OSTC—proof of residence in a low-achieving school boundary; for students with disabilities, documentation for the higher cap.
- Submit application to the SO: Follow the organization’s instructions; awards are limited and often first-come.
- School enrollment & payment: Scholarships are paid to the participating nonpublic school per SO policy.
Covered expenses
- Nonpublic school tuition (elementary/secondary)
- Required school fees (per SO/school policy)
- Special services or supports billed by the school
- Textbooks/fees charged by the school
- Transportation fees charged by the school (if applicable)
- Not covered: general homeschool curriculum/supplies purchased by families
- Personal tech or activities unless billed by the school
- Reimbursements to parents (scholarships pay schools)
- Cyber charter materials are provided by the school; no parent reimbursements
- Always check your SO and school policies for specifics.
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SO application windows | Varies by organization | Many open spring–summer; limited funds. |
| Award notifications | Varies | Often before school year starts. |
| School payment | At enrollment/billing | Scholarship paid to the school per SO schedule. |
Docs & forms
Official sources
- DCED — Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) [income threshold & SO info]
- DCED — Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) [low-achieving definition; award caps]
- PDE — Pennsylvania Department of Education (Charter/Cyber)
FAQs
Do EITC/OSTC funds pay for homeschool curriculum?
No. These are private scholarships intended for nonpublic school tuition and required fees, and payments go to the school—not to parents. Families who continue a home education program generally can’t use EITC/OSTC for home purchases. [Program scope per DCED pages.]
What is a “low-achieving” school for OSTC?
DCED defines it as a public school ranked in the bottom 15% based on statewide reading/math scores, updated annually. Students must live in that boundary and attend a participating nonpublic school to use OSTC. [DCED OSTC definition.]
Can we switch between homeschooling and a cyber charter?
Yes. Enrolling in a cyber charter makes the student a public-school student (no parent reimbursements). If you return to independent homeschooling, you’ll resume home education responsibilities and won’t receive public funds.
Contacts
PDE — Charter/Cyber Schools
Law & regulations
- EITC & OSTC programs are authorized and administered by DCED; see the program pages for current rules, eligibility thresholds, and definitions. [DCED EITC/OSTC pages.]
- Cyber charters are public schools overseen by PDE; families enroll directly with the charter and do not receive reimbursements.