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Washington Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

Washington Homeschool Funding

Part-time enrollment, ALE programs.

WA
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs (Parent Partnership & district online schools)

Admin: Local public school districts under OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Typical award

Amount: No direct cash to families. Districts may budget a student learning allocation for approved, educational purchases tied to the student’s Written Student Learning Plan (varies by district).

Disbursement: District pays approved vendors or reimburses allowable purchases; funds remain public-school funds, not parent-controlled ESAs.

Who qualifies

  • Residency: Washington residents enrolling with a participating public school district program.
  • Age/grade: K–12 for ALE and part-time enrollment; grades 11–12 for Running Start (dual enrollment at college).
  • Needs/other: Families homeschooling under Washington’s Home-Based Instruction (HBI) law are ineligible for state funds unless they enroll part-time in public school or in an ALE program.

Timeline

  • Application opens: Typically late spring–summer for district ALEs; colleges open Running Start intakes each term.
  • Deadline: Set by each district/college (often August–September for fall; Running Start has term-specific EVF deadlines).
  • Fund availability: After district/college enrollment and approval of the Written Student Learning Plan (ALE) or course schedule.

Overview

Washington does not offer education savings accounts (ESAs) or statewide vouchers for homeschooling. Families can still access public resources while learning at home by enrolling part-time in their local public school or by joining a district-run Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) such as a Parent Partnership or online public school. Homeschooling under the state’s Home-Based Instruction (HBI) law remains privately funded by families; public dollars only flow when a student is enrolled with a public school program.

Programs

Alternative Learning Experience (ALE)

  • Type: Public school program (not an ESA). Includes Parent Partnership Programs and district online schools.
  • Award: No cash to families. Districts may provide a student learning allocation usable for pre-approved educational goods/services named in a Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP). Amounts and rules are district-specific.
  • Uses: Curriculum/materials, classes/lessons, tutoring/instructional services, approved online courses, and other items aligned to the WSLP (nonreligious when purchased with public funds).
  • Admin: Your local school district; governed statewide by WAC 392-550 (ALE rules: WSLP, weekly contact, monthly progress review).

OSPI page: Online Learning & ALE

Part-time enrollment & ancillary services

  • Type: Enroll in individual public-school classes or services while otherwise homeschooling.
  • Award: No stipend; the district claims state apportionment for the classes/services taken.
  • Uses: Individual courses (e.g., math, science labs, electives), testing, counseling, special services where eligible (“ancillary services”).
  • Admin: Local public school district per state law.

OSPI page: Home-Based Instruction (HBI)

Running Start (dual enrollment, grades 11–12)

  • Type: Public dual-enrollment program at WA community/technical colleges for high-school juniors and seniors.
  • Award: State funds cover college tuition for eligible college credits (families typically cover books/fees unless waived).
  • Uses: College courses that count for high-school and college credit.
  • Admin: Local public high school (enrollment verification) + participating college.

State Board for Community & Technical Colleges: Running Start

Eligibility

  • Residency: Student resides in Washington and enrolls with a public school district (ALE/part-time) or a participating college (Running Start via public high school).
  • Age/grade: K–12 for ALE and part-time; generally 16–18 and on track as an 11th/12th grader for Running Start.
  • Prior enrollment: Not required for ALE; Running Start requires enrollment with a public high school for the Enrollment Verification Form each term.
  • Income / IEP: No income test. Students with IEPs may access services through the district as eligible.
  • Other criteria: Participation in ALE requires a Written Student Learning Plan and regular contact/progress checks per WAC 392-550.

How to apply

  1. Choose a path: Contact your local district’s Parent Partnership/online ALE, your neighborhood school for part-time classes, or your community/technical college for Running Start.
  2. Enroll: Complete district/college registration. For ALE, work with a certificated teacher to create a Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP). For Running Start, complete placement steps and the Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) each term.
  3. Request purchases/services (ALE): Submit purchase requests or vendor invoices that align to the WSLP and district policy. Districts pay vendors directly or reimburse approved items—no personal/sectarian purchases with public funds.
  4. Meet ongoing requirements: Ensure weekly contact and monthly progress reviews (ALE). For part-time and Running Start, follow each term’s add/drop and attendance rules.

Find ALE & online public options

Covered expenses

  • Curriculum & textbooks (district-approved; nonreligious with public funds)
  • Tutoring / instructional services from approved vendors
  • Online courses / digital licenses named in the WSLP
  • Tests & assessments required by the program
  • Educational software & subscriptions
  • Supplies & lab materials tied to coursework
  • Approved educational lessons (e.g., music, art, PE) via vendors
  • Technology checked out or purchased per district policy
  • Field trips or fees directly connected to the student’s WSLP
  • Rules vary by district; public funds cannot be used for sectarian materials.

Deadlines

Milestone Date Notes
ALE fall enrollment opens May–August (district-set) Many programs fill; apply early.
Part-time class requests July–August (for fall) Coordinate with school counselor/scheduler.
Running Start EVF due Each college term College & high school set term-specific EVF deadlines.

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Can ALE funds cover extracurriculars?
Possibly—if the activity is educational, nonreligious, from an approved vendor, and listed in the student’s WSLP. District policies differ; ask your ALE for its current allowable-costs list.
How long do reimbursements take?
District-specific. Many ALEs pay vendors directly; when reimbursements are allowed, processing is typically several weeks after complete documentation is submitted.
Can I dual-enroll?
Yes. HBI students may enroll part-time in public school classes/services. For Running Start, homeschoolers generally enroll with a public high school for the EVF each term and then take college classes.

Contacts

District ALE / Parent Partnership

Contact your local school district’s ALE office or registrar for enrollment and allowable-expenses questions.

OSPI (state education agency)

Phone: (360) 725-6000
Website: k12.wa.us

Law & regulations