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South Dakota Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

South Dakota Homeschool Funding

Current funding & services.

SD
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: No state ESA. Home education is “Alternative Instruction.”

Admin: South Dakota Department of Education (notification system) & local school districts (services like textbooks/activities)

Typical award

Amount: No direct state funding to homeschool families

Disbursement: N/A — families self-fund; districts may loan textbooks and allow part-time enrollment/activities

Who qualifies

  • Residency: South Dakota resident child
  • Age/grade: Compulsory attendance ages (typically 6–18) may be met via Alternative Instruction
  • Needs/other: One-time Alternative Instruction Notification (AIN) on file; instructor need not be certified; ≤22 students per instructor

Timeline

  • Application opens: Year-round for Alternative Instruction Notification
  • Deadline: Submit AIN before starting; update within 30 days of any changes (address, school status, etc.)
  • Fund availability: N/A (no ESA). Dual credit & activities follow school/college calendars

Overview

South Dakota does not offer an Education Savings Account (ESA) or direct reimbursements for homeschool expenses. Families who teach at home do so under the state’s Alternative Instruction option by filing a one-time notification with the Department of Education. There is no ongoing state funding, but districts must loan textbooks on request, and students may enroll part-time in public school courses and participate in interscholastic activities. A separate tax-credit scholarship program helps with private school tuition only (not homeschool).

Programs

Alternative Instruction (home education)

  • Type: Homeschool option (not a funding program)
  • Award: None
  • Services available: Textbook loans from district; eligibility for public-school activities; optional part-time enrollment; access to reduced-tuition dual credit in high school
  • Admin: SD Dept. of Education (notification); local districts (services)

Alternative Instruction (SD DOE)

Dual Credit (high school)

  • Type: Reduced-tuition college courses for eligible high-school students
  • Award: Tuition substantially reduced (historically < $50/credit); books/fees extra
  • Uses: College courses that count for HS & college credit
  • Admin: South Dakota Board of Regents & Technical Colleges

Our Dakota Dreams Dual Credit

South Dakota Partners in Education (Tax-Credit Scholarship)

  • Type: Private-school scholarship funded by tax credits
  • Award: Varies; paid to participating private schools
  • Uses: Private school tuition/fees only (not homeschool purchases)
  • Admin: Scholarship Granting Organization (SD Partners in Education)

SDPE Scholarship FAQ

Eligibility

  • Residency: Student resides in South Dakota.
  • Age/grade: Alternative Instruction may satisfy compulsory attendance during ages required by law.
  • Prior enrollment: Not required. File the Alternative Instruction Notification before starting (or when withdrawing from public school).
  • Income / IEP: Not required for homeschooling. (Tax-credit scholarships apply only to private school and have separate income rules.)
  • Other criteria: One-time notification; instructor need not be certified; instructor may teach no more than 22 students.

How to apply

  1. Create/Log in to the state system and complete the Alternative Instruction Notification (AIN) for each child.
  2. Submit required details (student info, parent/guardian, address, start date). No curriculum pre-approval is required.
  3. If you plan to borrow textbooks or enroll part-time/activities, contact your local district after filing.
  4. Update your AIN within 30 days if address, school status, or other details change.

Go to Alternative Instruction page

Covered expenses

  • No state ESA or reimbursement. Families pay out of pocket.
  • District textbook loans may be available on request.
  • Dual-credit classes offered at reduced tuition (books/fees extra).
  • Public-school classes via part-time enrollment (no tuition; materials may vary).
  • Participation in activities/athletics through local district.
  • Curriculum & textbooks (family-purchased if not loaned)
  • Tutoring / instruction (family-funded)
  • Tests & assessments (optional/when needed)
  • Educational software & supplies
  • No public funds for general homeschool purchases

Deadlines

MilestoneDateNotes
Alternative Instruction Notification (AIN) Year-round File before starting; update within 30 days of changes.
Public-school activities Varies by district/season Check SDHSAA sport/activity calendars & local school deadlines.
Dual credit enrollment Per semester College/university registration windows each term.
Textbook loan requests Summer–early fall (typical) Coordinate with your resident district before school starts.

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Does South Dakota give ESA money to homeschoolers?
No. As of this update, South Dakota has no ESA or reimbursement for homeschool purchases. Families self-fund, though districts must loan textbooks and allow part-time enrollment/activities.
Can homeschoolers join public-school sports and activities?
Yes. Students receiving Alternative Instruction may participate in interscholastic activities through their resident public school if they meet the same eligibility standards and deadlines as enrolled students.
Is the homeschool notification annual?
No. The Alternative Instruction Notification is one time per child. You must file an update within 30 days if information changes (e.g., address, instructional status).
Can my high-schooler take college classes?
Yes. Eligible students can use the statewide Dual Credit program at a reduced tuition rate per credit; books/fees are extra and deadlines follow each semester.
Do tax-credit scholarships help homeschoolers?
No. South Dakota’s tax-credit scholarship (SD Partners in Education) applies only to participating private schools, not home education.

Contacts

Alternative Instruction (Homeschool) Support

Phone: (605) 773-3134
General contact: South Dakota Department of Education

Your Local School District

For textbook loans, part-time enrollment, and activity eligibility, contact your resident district’s central office or high school activities office.

Law & regulations

  • SDCL 13-27-3 — Alternative instruction notice requirements (one-time notification).
  • SDCL 13-28-51 — Part-time enrollment in public school upon parent request.
  • SDCL 13-34-23 — District textbook loan program to nonpublic/alternative instruction students.