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South Carolina Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

South Carolina Homeschool Funding

ESTF ESA status (no homeschool use) and private scholarship options.

SC
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) — K–12 ESA

Admin: South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE); program operations with Outbridge; payments via ClassWallet.

Typical award

Amount (2025–26): $7,500 per student (paid in four quarterly distributions; first quarter for 2025–26 is scheduled for mid-August).

Disbursement: ESA with purchases paid directly to approved providers in the portal (no parent reimbursements).

Who qualifies

  • Residency: South Carolina resident, K–12 student.
  • Setting: Enrolled at an eligible private school or using approved education service providers through the portal.
  • Important: Students may not be in a home instruction (homeschool) program while using ESTF funds (Options 1–3 under SC law).

Timeline

  • Application opens: Late winter/early spring (posted on the ESTF portal each year).
  • First-distribution deadlines (2025–26): Finalize application by July 8 and upload required documents by July 11 for the August distribution.
  • Funds: Allocated quarterly through the school year in the portal.

Overview

South Carolina’s statewide ESA is the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF). Families apply in the ESTF portal and, once awarded, pay approved schools and providers through ClassWallet. State law bars using ESTF while enrolled in a home instruction (homeschool) program, so traditional homeschools (Options 1–3) cannot use ESA funds for homeschool purchases. Separate private scholarships (e.g., Exceptional SC) help students attending eligible private schools and do not fund homeschools.

Programs

Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)

  • Type: Education Savings Account (ESA)
  • Award (2025–26): $7,500 per student; disbursed quarterly in the portal.
  • Uses: Private school tuition/fees at eligible schools, curriculum/textbooks via approved vendors, tutoring/instruction, special education services, testing/assessments, therapies, and other allowable educational expenses purchased in-portal.
  • Admin: SCDE with Outbridge (portal); payments via ClassWallet.

Official ESTF portal

Exceptional SC (ECENC Fund)

  • Type: Exceptional-needs tax-credit scholarships
  • Award: Varies; for students with qualifying disabilities enrolled in eligible private schools
  • Uses: Tuition/fees at participating private schools
  • Admin: Exceptional SC (nonprofit) under S.C. Code §12-6-3790

Exceptional SC program site

Eligibility

  • ESTF: SC resident K–12 student; must enroll in an eligible private school or use approved providers through the portal; cannot be in a home instruction program; must meet annual program criteria and testing requirements.
  • Exceptional SC: Student has a qualifying disability and attends an eligible private school; follow nonprofit’s application rules.

How to apply

  1. ESTF: Create an account on the ESTF portal and complete the application; upload proof of residency, student age, and any income/priority documentation required.
  2. Select your school/providers in the portal and submit purchase requests — the system pays vendors/schools directly (no reimbursements).
  3. Exceptional SC: Apply on the Exceptional SC site and coordinate with your eligible school.

Go to ESTF portal   Exceptional SC

Covered expenses

  • Private school tuition & required fees (eligible schools)
  • Curriculum & textbooks (approved providers)
  • Tutoring or instruction (approved providers)
  • Special education services & therapies
  • Standardized tests & assessments
  • Educational software & online courses
  • Approved educational supplies
  • Portal-based payments only: no parent reimbursements
  • Homeschool programs are not eligible under ESTF
  • See current year handbook for full/updated lists

Deadlines

Milestone Date Notes
ESTF application window Varies annually Posted on the ESTF portal each cycle
2025–26 first distribution deadlines Finalize by Jul 8; docs by Jul 11 For August first-quarter distribution
Quarterly ESA allocations 4× per school year Funds load in the portal each quarter after approval

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Can ESTF funds cover extracurriculars?
Only if the activity is provided by an approved education service provider and fits within allowable categories in the portal.
Do parents get reimbursed for purchases?
No. ESTF pays providers directly through the portal (ClassWallet). Reimbursements are not offered.
Can I use ESTF while homeschooling (Option 1, 2, or 3)?
No. State law prohibits participating in a home instruction program while using ESTF funds.
Is there any funding for homeschools themselves?
Not via ESTF. Private scholarships like Exceptional SC are only for students enrolled in eligible private schools.

Contacts

ESTF portal support

Use the help/contact links inside the ESTF portal for ticketed support.

ESTF portal

South Carolina Department of Education

ed.sc.gov

Law & regulations