Connecticut Homeschool Funding
State stance on funding & local supports.
CT
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: No statewide ESA, voucher, or reimbursement for independent homeschool
Admin: Connecticut State Department of Education (guidance only); local districts acknowledge home instruction via suggested procedures
Typical award
Amount: $0 (no state funds for independent homeschool)
Disbursement: N/A
Who qualifies
- Residency: Connecticut families may educate at home (“equivalent instruction”).
- Age/grade: Children subject to compulsory attendance generally ages 5–18; parents must ensure instruction in required subjects.
- Needs/other: No state funding pathway; access to public-school courses/activities is at district/association discretion.
Timeline
- Notice of Intent (optional): CT suggests filing with your district superintendent when you begin and annually thereafter.
- Portfolio review (optional): Some districts request an end-of-year review per the state’s suggested (nonbinding) guidelines.
- No funding window: There is no ESA/voucher application in CT for homeschoolers.
Overview
Connecticut allows parents to provide home instruction in place of public-school attendance. The state offers no education savings account (ESA), voucher, tax-credit scholarship, or reimbursement program for independent homeschool. The State Department of Education (CSDE) publishes suggested (nonbinding) procedures, including an optional Notice of Intent (C-14). Separate public school choice options (magnet/charter/Open Choice) require enrollment in a public school and do not fund independent homeschool.
Programs
No statewide homeschool funding
- Type: None (no ESA/voucher/tax-credit scholarship for homeschool)
- Award: $0
- Uses: Families self-fund curriculum, tutoring, software, supplies, etc.
- Admin: N/A (CSDE provides guidance only; districts acknowledge home instruction)
Public school choice (not homeschool funding)
- Type: Interdistrict magnet schools, regional choice (RSCO Greater Hartford), and Open Choice
- Award: School seats; no cash to families
- Uses: Attend a public choice school; student is enrolled (not homeschooled)
- Admin: CSDE/RSCO and regional RESCs
Eligibility
- Residency: Parent/guardian resides in Connecticut.
- Subjects required: Provide equivalent instruction in reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, and United States history/citizenship including civics.
- Notice of Intent: Optional but recommended by CSDE; file with local superintendent when you begin and annually thereafter (keep a copy).
- Public school activities: No statewide right; interscholastic athletics governed by CIAC rules (homeschool students are not eligible unless under the direct supervision of a CIAC member school); classes/activities are at district discretion.
How to apply
- Decide to provide home instruction and prepare a basic plan covering the required subjects.
- (Optional) Complete the CSDE Notice of Intent for Home Instruction (C-14) and submit it to your district superintendent; keep a copy for your records.
- Maintain records (attendance, work samples, reading lists). If your district requests the optional end-of-year portfolio review, be prepared to show evidence of instruction.
- Re-file the Notice of Intent annually if you choose to follow the suggested procedures.
Covered expenses
- Curriculum & textbooks (self-funded)
- Tutoring / instruction (self-funded)
- Tests & assessments (self-funded)
- Educational software
- Supplies & materials
- Field trips (educational)
- Technology (device/accessories)
- Community classes and programs
- Note: CT provides no ESA or reimbursement for these expenses.
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Optional Notice of Intent | When you begin; then yearly | CSDE suggests filing at start of home instruction and annually thereafter. |
| Portfolio review (optional) | End of year | Only if your district follows the suggested review process. |
| Funding application | — | Not applicable (no ESA/voucher for homeschool). |
Docs & forms
Official sources
- CT State Department of Education — Homeschooling
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-184 (Duties of parents; equivalent instruction)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-184a (Truancy; home visits; provisions)
- CIAC By-laws – Home-schooled students (eligibility)
- EdChoice – Connecticut (no private choice programs)
- Regional School Choice Office (Greater Hartford)
FAQs
Does Connecticut give ESA funds or reimbursements for homeschool?
No. CT has no ESA, voucher, tax-credit scholarship, or reimbursement program for independent homeschool.
Can homeschoolers join public-school teams or extracurriculars?
Athletics are governed by CIAC rules; homeschool students are not eligible unless their program is under the direct supervision of a CIAC member school. Non-athletic activities and individual classes may be permitted at local district discretion.
Is the Notice of Intent required?
No. CSDE suggests filing; it is not mandated by statute. Many families still file to document attendance with the district.
Contacts
Local district
Contact your superintendent’s office to submit or ask about the optional Notice of Intent and any local procedures.
CT State Department of Education
Law & regulations
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-184 — Parents may provide “equivalent instruction” in required subjects instead of public school attendance.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-184a — Related truancy/home visits provisions; does not create homeschool funding.
- CIAC Eligibility By-laws — Homeschool athletic eligibility standards.