New York Homeschool Funding
District services & reimbursements.
Main program
Program name: No statewide ESA; services via Dual Enrollment Special Education (IESP)
Admin: Local school district Committee on Special Education (CSE)
Typical award
Amount: General homeschoolers: $0 (no ESA). Students with disabilities: district-provided services per IESP
Disbursement: Services from the district (not a parent-managed fund)
Who qualifies
- Residency: New York resident; overseen by local school district
- Age/grade: Ages 6–16 compulsory attendance; home instruction allowed under 8 NYCRR 100.10
- Needs/other: For IESP services, student must be evaluated and found eligible for special education; parent files timely request
Timeline
- Letter of Intent (LOI): by July 1 or within 14 days of starting home instruction
- IHIP due: typically Aug 15 (or within 4 weeks of receiving district’s IHIP form)
- Request IESP services: June 1 (district of location; limited exceptions after a move/new identification)
Overview
New York does not offer a universal ESA or direct reimbursements for homeschooling. Families provide home instruction under state regulation (8 NYCRR 100.10) and submit plans/reports to the local district. The main public support available is special education services delivered by the district when requested on time; otherwise, homeschool costs are parent-paid. See NYSED’s overview and Q&A for details.
Programs
Dual Enrollment Special Education Services (IESP)
- Type: District-provided services (not a spending account)
- Award: Services in an Individualized Education Services Program (IESP)—e.g., related services (speech/OT/PT), SETSS
- Uses: Only special education services based on evaluated needs
- Admin: District CSE under Education Law §3602-c
NYSED: Special Education Services for Home-Schooled Students
District supports (local discretion)
- Type: Case-by-case district options
- Award: Possible access to some classes/services if allowed by local policy
- Uses: Assessments administered in school; building/library access; policies vary
- Admin: Local district
Interscholastic athletics generally require enrollment in the public school; homeschoolers are typically ineligible for school teams.
Other supports (private scholarships; not homeschool ESA)
- Children’s Scholarship Fund New York — private tuition assistance for K–8 private schools in NYC (not homeschool funds)
Eligibility
- Residency: Must reside in New York; oversight by district of residence (or district of location for IESP requests)
- Age/grade: Home instruction permitted if parents follow 8 NYCRR 100.10 (LOI, IHIP, quarterly reports, annual assessment)
- Prior enrollment: Not required; families may begin mid-year with proper notices
- Income / IEP: No income limits. For IESP services, student must be evaluated and found eligible for special education
- Other criteria: Written request for IESP services generally due by June 1 to the district of location (limited exceptions after a move/new identification)
How to apply
- Send a Letter of Intent (LOI) to your district superintendent by July 1 or within 14 days of starting home instruction.
- Submit your IHIP by Aug 15 (or within 4 weeks of the district sending you the IHIP form).
- Quarterly reports & annual assessment: Propose four report due dates in your IHIP; submit the annual assessment with your final report.
- For special education services (optional): Send a June 1 written request to the district of location; complete evaluations and attend the CSE meeting to develop the IESP.
Covered expenses
New York provides no general ESA or reimbursement for homeschool purchases. Parents typically pay for curricula, materials, tutoring, tech, field trips, tests, etc. The exception is when a child qualifies for district special education services (delivered by the district under an IESP) after a timely request and evaluation.
- Curriculum & textbooks — parent funded
- Tutoring / instruction — parent funded
- Special education therapies — district-provided if in IESP
- Tests & assessments — district may administer some in-school; policies vary
- Educational software — parent funded
- Supplies & materials — parent funded
- Field trips (educational) — parent funded
- Tech (device/accessories) — parent funded
- Fees (lab, exam, etc.) — parent funded unless district-administered
- Check your district for any discretionary supports
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Letter of Intent (LOI) | July 1 | Or within 14 days of starting home instruction |
| IHIP due | Aug 15 | Or within 4 weeks after district sends IHIP form |
| Quarterly reports | Set in IHIP | Parent proposes due dates; 4th report typically by late June |
| Annual assessment | With 4th report | Submit per 8 NYCRR 100.10 options |
| Request IESP services | June 1 | District of location; limited exceptions if moving/new ID |
Docs & forms
Official sources
FAQs
Is there any statewide ESA or reimbursement for homeschoolers in NY?
Can my homeschooled child join public school sports or extracurriculars?
Can I start homeschooling midyear?
Contacts
Your local school district
Superintendent’s office or Home Instruction contact — handles LOI/IHIP, quarterly reports, and (if applicable) CSE/IESP scheduling.
NYSED — Curriculum & Instruction
Law & regulations
- 8 NYCRR 100.10 (Home Instruction) – via NYSED resources page — requirements for LOI, IHIP, reports, assessments.
- Education Law §3602-c (Dual Enrollment / IESP) – NYSED guidance — request generally due by June 1.