Delaware Homeschool Funding
Funding options and services overview.
DE
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: None — Delaware does not offer a statewide homeschool ESA, voucher, or tax-credit scholarship.
Admin: Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — Nonpublic Schools Office (registration & reporting only)
Typical award
Amount: N/A (no state funds for homeschool)
Disbursement: N/A
Who qualifies
- Residency: Delaware families who operate a nonpublic homeschool (single-family or multi-family) registered with DDOE.
- Age/grade: Children subject to compulsory attendance (ages 5–18).
- Services: Some students may receive equitable services (special education supports) through the local district; no cash benefits.
Timeline
- Enroll/open homeschool for the year: by September 30
- Attendance reporting window: June–July (due by July 31)
- System rollover (brief downtime): typically early August
Overview
Delaware recognizes homeschools as nonpublic schools. Families register their homeschool (single-family or multi-family) with the DDOE and report enrollment and annual attendance. The state does not fund homeschool programs and does not approve or supply curriculum. Some students may receive in-kind special education services through their public school district via federal IDEA “equitable services,” but there is no direct cash assistance or ESA for homeschool expenses.
Programs
No statewide homeschool funding
- Type: None (no ESA/voucher/tax-credit scholarship)
- Award: N/A — families fund their own curriculum and costs
- Uses: N/A
- Admin: DDOE (registration & reporting only)
Special Education: Equitable Services (in-kind)
- Type: Services (no cash) provided by public district using IDEA proportionate share
- Award: Determined by district’s consultation process & available funds
- Uses: Evaluations/Child Find, speech/OT/PT, some instructional supports (service plan), not a parent-controlled account
- Admin: Local Education Agency (LEA) in coordination with DDOE
Driver Education Benefit
- Type: In-kind benefit (course access)
- Award: One driver education course for eligible homeschool students
- Admin: Provided by public schools (availability varies)
Eligibility
- Residency: Parent/guardian resides in Delaware and operates a registered nonpublic homeschool.
- Age/grade: Students ages 5–18 are subject to compulsory attendance; homeschools must keep enrollment current.
- Registration: Register as a single-family or multi-family homeschool in the DDOE Nonpublic Schools (NPS) system.
- Records: Maintain yearly enrollment and submit an annual attendance report.
- Special education: Services, if any, are provided by the district via service plans (not IEPs) and depend on eligibility/available funds.
- Activities/athletics: Participation is not guaranteed; DIAA athletics generally require full-time enrollment in a member school.
How to apply
- Create/verify your EdAccess account.
- In EdAccess, complete the Nonpublic School Application to open a single-family or multi-family homeschool.
- When approved, download your Acknowledgment Letter and keep it for your records.
- Each school year: update enrollment by Sept 30 and submit attendance during June–July in the NPS system.
Covered expenses
- Curriculum & textbooks (parent-paid)
- Tutoring / instruction (parent-paid)
- Educational software & online classes (parent-paid)
- Tests & assessments (parent-paid unless provided by district as a service)
- Supplies & materials
- Field trips (educational)
- Technology/devices
- Special education services (if eligible) via district in-kind supports — not cash reimbursements
- Note: Delaware provides no ESA/reimbursement program for homeschool purchases.
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll / update homeschool for the year | By Sept 30 | Submit enrollment in the NPS system each year. |
| Attendance reporting | June–July (due July 31) | Report yearly attendance in NPS. |
| System rollover | Early August (brief downtime) | NPS may be unavailable a few days during rollover. |
Docs & forms
Official sources
FAQs
Does Delaware provide homeschool funding?
No. DDOE states there is no funding for Delaware nonpublic schools (including homeschools). Families are responsible for costs.
Can my child join public school sports or classes?
Access is not guaranteed. Districts set local policies for classes/activities, and DIAA athletics generally require full-time enrollment in a member school.
Are special education services available?
Possibly. Homeschoolers are considered parentally-placed private school students for IDEA equitable services, which are provided in-kind by the district (no parent-controlled funds).
What reports do I file each year?
Update enrollment by September 30 and submit annual attendance during June–July (due July 31) in the NPS system.
Is curriculum approved by the state?
No. DDOE does not accredit, approve, or provide homeschool curriculum.
Contacts
Program support
Support Request: Submit via DDOE Nonpublic Schools page
Main phone (DDOE): (302) 735-4000
Delaware Department of Education
Nonpublic Schools homepage
Townsend Building, 401 Federal St, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901
Law & regulations
- Compulsory attendance (ages 5–18) & homeschool setup — requirements and definitions.
- Homeschools recognized as nonpublic schools; IDEA equitable services — service eligibility (no direct funding).
- Annual enrollment & attendance reporting — dates and instructions.