Maine Homeschool Funding
Town tuitioning, district services.
ME
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: Town Tuitioning (Municipal Tuition Program)
Admin: Local School Administrative Units (SAUs) with Maine DOE oversight
Typical award
Amount: Up to the annual state-set tuition rate (varies by grade, school type, and year).
Disbursement: Tuition paid by the resident town/SAU directly to the receiving public or approved private school.
Who qualifies
- Residency: Students living in a tuitioning town (a town without a local public school for the student’s grade).
- Enrollment: Student attends an eligible public school (in another town) or an approved private school.
- Note: Town Tuitioning does not fund home instruction purchases; it applies when the student enrolls in a receiving school.
Timeline
- School choice & tuition paperwork: spring–summer for the coming school year (varies by town and school)
- Home instruction notices (if homeschooling): within 10 days of starting; renew annually (see below)
Overview
Maine offers two different things parents often ask about: Town Tuitioning and home instruction (homeschooling). Town Tuitioning helps families in towns without a local public school by paying tuition for the student to attend an eligible public or approved private school. It is not a homeschool stipend.
Families who homeschool under Maine’s Home Instruction law fund their own curriculum and materials. However, districts may offer access to classes, activities, assessments, and special education evaluations. Availability and details vary by SAU.
Programs
Town Tuitioning (Municipal Tuition Program)
- Type: Tuition benefit (no ESA or reimbursement card).
- Award: Up to the state-set tuition rate published annually; the town pays the receiving school directly.
- Uses: Tuition and required school fees at eligible public schools or approved private schools.
- Admin: Your resident SAU (town or regional district), with rules and rates set in state law and DOE guidance.
District services for homeschoolers
- Type: Access to public-school courses, co/extra-curriculars, assessments, and special ed evaluations (policy varies by district).
- Award: No cash award; some districts loan materials or waive course fees when space allows.
- Uses: Part-time classes, sports/activities, testing, counseling/evaluations, per district policy.
- Admin: Local SAU; contact your school or district office.
Home Instruction (Homeschool) Pathway
- Type: Parent-directed instruction under state law (not a funding program).
- Award: N/A — families purchase/plan their own curriculum; some districts may loan items.
- Uses: Parent-chosen curricula, online programs, co-ops, tutors, etc., consistent with Maine requirements.
- Admin: Parent/guardian; annual notice and year-end assessment documentation per statute/rule.
Eligibility
- Town Tuitioning: Live in a tuitioning town (no local public school for your child’s grade); enroll in an eligible receiving school; complete the town’s tuition paperwork.
- District services (for homeschoolers): Typically available to resident home-instruction students as space/resources allow; policies set locally.
- Home Instruction: Parent provides instruction meeting state requirements; file initial and annual notices and retain/submit an end-of-year assessment as required.
How to apply
- Town Tuitioning: Confirm your town is tuitioning. Choose a receiving school (public or approved private), complete the SAU’s tuition request, and enroll at the receiving school.
- District services (homeschool): Contact your resident school about part-time classes/activities and any forms/placement steps.
- Home Instruction: File your notice of intent (initial within 10 days of starting; renew annually), keep required records, and arrange a year-end assessment acceptable under state rules.
Covered expenses
- Town Tuitioning: Tuition and required school fees at the approved receiving school.
- Some towns may cover limited transportation or specific fees per local policy.
- Home Instruction: Parent-purchased curriculum, classes, tutors, supplies, tech (not state-funded).
- District services: Access to courses/activities/testing per SAU policy; fees (if any) set locally.
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Town Tuitioning choice & forms | Spring–Summer | Set by your SAU and the receiving school |
| Home Instruction — initial notice | Within 10 days | From the day you begin home instruction |
| Home Instruction — annual renewal | By Sept 1 | Submit renewal and prior year’s assessment documentation |
Docs & forms
Official sources
FAQs
Does Town Tuitioning pay for homeschool curriculum?
No. Town Tuitioning pays tuition to an eligible public or approved private school. Families who choose home instruction purchase their own curriculum/materials.
Can homeschoolers join public-school classes or sports?
Usually yes, subject to space, eligibility, and local policy. Contact your resident school about part-time enrollment and activities.
What assessments are required for home instruction?
Maine allows several options (e.g., standardized test, portfolio review). Keep results with your records and submit as required with your annual renewal.
Can we use Town Tuitioning for an out-of-state or religious school?
Eligibility depends on state approval and current law. Ask your SAU and the Maine DOE if a specific school qualifies under tuitioning rules.
Contacts
Maine DOE — Home Instruction
Program page & forms
See page for current email/phone contacts
Your Resident SAU (District)
Contact the superintendent’s office about Town Tuitioning, part-time classes, and activities.
Find SAU links via Maine DOE
Law & regulations
- Home Instruction (statute/rule overview) — notices, days of instruction, subjects, assessment options.
- Tuitioning (statute/rule overview) — who qualifies, approved schools, and payment rules.
- Approved private schools — approval requirements & directory.