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Iowa Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

Iowa Homeschool Funding

ESAs and competent private instruction options.

IA
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: Students First Education Savings Accounts (ESA)

Admin: Iowa Department of Education (third-party administrator: Odyssey)

Typical award

Amount (2025–26): $7,988 per student

Disbursement: ESA applied to accredited nonpublic (private) school tuition/fees first; any remaining funds may be used for other eligible expenses through the Odyssey Marketplace.

Who qualifies

  • Residency: Iowa resident, K–12 age-eligible.
  • Setting: Must enroll in a participating accredited nonpublic school to use ESA.
  • Homeschool note: Traditional home instruction (CPI/IPI) is not ESA-funded; some districts offer Home School Assistance Programs (HSAPs) with supports.

Timeline

  • Application window: Opens in spring and closes mid-summer (dates posted annually on the ESA page).
  • Funding: Accounts fund on the state schedule for the school year.

Overview

Iowa families educating at home choose between Competent Private Instruction (CPI) and Independent Private Instruction (IPI). These homeschooling pathways are separate from the state’s Students First ESA, which pays tuition/fees at participating accredited nonpublic schools and, when tuition is covered, may also be used for certain other eligible education expenses through the Odyssey Marketplace.

Many districts run Home School Assistance Programs (HSAPs) that can offer teacher support, curriculum loans, assessments, part-time classes, and access to activities; policies and availability vary by district.

Programs

Students First ESA (private school option)

  • Type: Education Savings Account (ESA) for accredited nonpublic school tuition/fees (and other eligible expenses after tuition).
  • Award (2025–26): $7,988 per student; applied via the Odyssey system.
  • Uses: Tuition/required fees at the participating school first; if funds remain, eligible items/services purchased through the Odyssey Marketplace.
  • Admin: Iowa Department of Education; portal and marketplace via Odyssey.

Official ESA page  |  Apply / log in (Odyssey)

Home School Assistance Program (HSAP)

  • Type: District-run support service (not an ESA).
  • Support: May include consulting, loaned curriculum, assessments, and part-time classes; reimbursement policies vary by district.
  • Admin: Local public school districts.

Homeschooling overview (find HSAP/dual-enrollment info)

CPI & IPI (homeschool pathways)

  • Type: Legal homeschool options in Iowa.
  • Funding: None (families purchase materials directly; HSAPs may loan items).
  • Admin: Parent/guardian; reporting/testing vary by CPI option; IPI has separate rules.

CPI/IPI guidance (Iowa DOE)

School Tuition Organization (STO) Scholarships

  • Type: Privately funded scholarships (state tax-credit program) for accredited nonpublic schools.
  • Funding: Paid to the private school; not for homeschool purchases.
  • Admin: Certified STOs overseen by the state.

Nonpublic schools & STO info

Eligibility

  • ESA (Students First): Iowa resident; K–12; enrolled in and attending a participating accredited nonpublic school; apply during the annual window.
  • HSAP: Typically available to Iowa resident homeschoolers (CPI/IPI) served by the district; offerings vary.
  • CPI/IPI: Parent/guardian provides instruction at home; follow option-specific rules (reporting, assessments, or teacher oversight depending on option).
  • STO: Enrollment and financial-need criteria set by each STO; applies to accredited nonpublic schools only.

How to apply

  1. ESA: Open the ESA portal, create an account, complete the application, and select the accredited nonpublic school.
  2. HSAP: Contact your resident district’s HSAP office to enroll and review supports.
  3. CPI/IPI: Choose your homeschool path and submit any required notifications/forms per the DOE guidance.
  4. STO: Apply directly with an eligible STO if attending an accredited nonpublic school.

Go to Students First ESA portal

Covered expenses

  • ESA (required first): Tuition & required fees billed by the accredited nonpublic school.
  • If funds remain: DOE-approved items/services (e.g., textbooks/curriculum fees, certain software/devices, tutoring/therapies) via the Odyssey Marketplace only.
  • Not allowed with ESA funds: clothing/uniforms, printers & many accessories, camps/childcare, transportation, most consumables, and more (see DOE list).
  • Homeschool (CPI/IPI): Parent-funded; HSAPs may loan curriculum or offer classes.

See the DOE “Eligible & Ineligible Expenses” list for detailed categories and documentation.

Deadlines

MilestoneDateNotes
ESA application windowSpring–SummerSpecific dates posted each year on the ESA page.
ESA fundingSchool-year scheduleFunds applied per state schedule once approved.
CPI/IPI homeschool notificationsAnnuallyRequirements vary by CPI option or IPI; see DOE guidance.
HSAP enrollmentVaries by districtContact district HSAP office for timing.

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Does the ESA pay for homeschool curriculum or tutors?
No. ESA funds are for students enrolled in participating accredited nonpublic schools. Funds must pay the school’s tuition/fees first; remaining funds (if any) can be used for eligible items/services through the Odyssey Marketplace. Homeschool CPI/IPI purchases are typically parent-funded.
Can homeschoolers access public-school classes or activities?
Yes. Iowa allows dual enrollment for academics and extracurriculars, subject to district policies and timelines. HSAPs can help coordinate access.
What’s the difference between CPI and IPI?
CPI has options with or without a supervising teacher and specific reporting/testing rules. IPI has different participation and reporting rules. See the DOE overview and PDFs for details.

Contacts

Students First ESA (state)

Website: Iowa DOE — ESA
Portal: Odyssey (apply/manage)

Homeschool & HSAP

Iowa DOE — Homeschool (CPI/IPI) & HSAP

Law & regulations