New Mexico Homeschool Funding
Vendor payments, scholarships, and status.
NM
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: No statewide ESA or voucher for homeschool
Admin: N/A (families self-fund; districts may offer limited services)
Typical award
Amount: No direct state stipend
Disbursement: In-kind services only (e.g., textbook loans, special education services), varies by district
Who qualifies
- Residency: New Mexico residents who file a Home School Notification with the Public Education Department (PED)
- Age/grade: Compulsory school-age students (generally ~5–18) educated at home
- Needs/other: Instructor must hold a high school diploma or equivalent; maintain immunization records; provide 180 days of instruction
Timeline
- Home School Notice: File within 30 days of starting; renew annually (commonly by early August)
- Textbook requests: Typically late spring–summer through local district depots
- Activities/part-time: District/NMAA seasons & local course enrollment windows
Overview
New Mexico does not provide an education savings account (ESA), voucher, or tax-credit scholarship for homeschooling. Families who file a Home School Notification with the Public Education Department (PED) are responsible for their own curriculum and costs. Some in-kind supports may be available locally—such as public-school textbook loans, special education evaluations/services (if eligible), part-time enrollment in district courses, and participation in extracurricular activities governed by the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA). These supports are not cash benefits and can vary by district or school.
Programs
Instructional Materials (Textbook Loan)
- Type: In-kind loan of state-adopted instructional materials via districts
- Award: No cash; families may borrow approved textbooks and some materials if available
- Uses: Core course textbooks and certain ancillary items; consumables are typically not loaned
- Admin: Local school districts/depots in coordination with PED’s Instructional Material processes
Public School Access (Part-time & Extracurriculars)
- Type: District-run access to individual classes and NMAA-sanctioned activities
- Award: No cash; access to courses/teams where approved; fees may apply
- Uses: Take select middle/high school classes, join athletics, music, clubs, etc., subject to eligibility
- Admin: Local districts and schools; activities governed by NMAA eligibility rules
Special Education – Equitable Services (IDEA)
- Type: In-kind special education services (no ESA) for eligible students
- Award: Services are limited by federal “proportionate share” and provided through the district, not as funds to families
- Uses: Evaluations and, if eligible, some services per district plan; not the same as an IEP in public school
- Admin: Local school district special education department
Eligibility
- Residency: Live in New Mexico and file/maintain a Home School Notification with PED.
- Age/grade: Student is of compulsory school age (generally ~5–18) and educated at home.
- Prior enrollment: Not required; if withdrawing from a public school, file your home school notice and complete withdrawal with the school.
- Instructor requirement: Parent/guardian (or appointed instructor) must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
- Instructional time: Provide at least 180 days of instruction each year; retain immunization records.
- District access items: Part-time classes/extracurriculars require meeting school prerequisites and NMAA rules; availability varies.
How to apply
- File Home School Notice with PED. Create/renew your notice online and list each school-age child.
- Keep required records. Instructor diploma/GED, immunization records, and calendar showing 180 days of instruction.
- Request supports locally. For textbook loans, contact your district’s instructional materials/textbook depot. For part-time classes or activities, contact the local school (and review NMAA eligibility). For special education evaluations/services, contact the district special education office.
- Choose and purchase curriculum. Families self-fund; submit no purchases to PED (no reimbursement/ESA).
Covered expenses
- District-loaned textbooks (when available)
- District course access (fees may apply)
- NMAA extracurricular participation (meet eligibility/fees)
- Special education evaluations/services (if eligible)
- College testing through public schools (local discretion)
- Not provided by the state: curriculum purchases
- General supplies, printers, devices
- Online program subscriptions
- Private tutoring/therapies (unless district service plan covers)
- Field trips and travel
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home School Notice (initial) | Within 30 days of starting | File online with PED |
| Home School Notice (renewal) | Annually (commonly by early August) | Renew each school year |
| Textbook loan requests | Spring–Summer (varies by district) | Contact district instructional materials office |
| NMAA sports/activities | Per season | Tryouts/eligibility & paperwork windows vary |
Docs & forms
Official sources
FAQs
Does New Mexico give ESA funds to homeschoolers?
No. New Mexico has no ESA, voucher, or tax-credit scholarship for homeschool. Families self-fund; limited in-kind supports may be available locally (e.g., textbook loans, special education services).
Can my child join public-school sports or band?
Often yes, if your local school allows part-time/extracurricular access and you meet NMAA eligibility (residency, academic standing, paperwork, deadlines). Check with the school and NMAA rules.
Are homeschool purchases reimbursed?
No. New Mexico does not reimburse homeschool purchases. Any materials you buy are your responsibility unless a district specifically loans items.
Can homeschoolers access special education services?
Districts provide evaluations and may offer some services through federal “equitable services.” These are delivered by the district (not cash to families) and are limited by available proportionate-share funding.
Contacts
PED – Home School
Email: homeschooledu.ped@state.nm.us
Phone: 505-827-5180
NMAA (Activities/Athletics)
Website
Phone: 505-821-8361
Law & regulations
- Home school statute (NMSA) — defines home schools, notice, instructor credentials, records, and instructional time.
- Instructional materials statutes (NMSA Ch. 22) — governs state-adopted materials and district textbook depots/loans.
- NMAA bylaws — eligibility and participation rules for extracurricular activities.