Vermont Homeschool Funding
Town tuition and services.
VT
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: Home Study Program (no ESA funding)
Admin: Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) — Home Study; local school districts — services/part-time options
Typical award
Amount: No direct state payments to homeschool families
Disbursement: N/A — families self-fund. Separate “Town Tuitioning” pays tuition only when a student enrolls in an eligible public/approved independent school.
Who qualifies
- Residency: Vermont resident child
- Age/grade: Compulsory attendance ages may be met via Home Study
- Needs/other: Annual Home Study enrollment on file with AOE; end-of-year assessment per AOE rules
Timeline
- Home Study enrollment: Year-round (file before starting each school year)
- Town Tuition decisions: Follow local district/receiving school enrollment calendars
- Dual Enrollment/Early College: Per semester/academic-year deadlines
Overview
Vermont does not offer an Education Savings Account (ESA) or state reimbursements for homeschool purchases. Families who educate at home do so through the AOE’s Home Study Program with an annual enrollment and an end-of-year assessment. Some services are available locally—such as part-time enrollment in public-school courses, participation in extracurriculars (district-dependent), and statewide Dual Enrollment/Early College options for eligible high schoolers.
Separately, Vermont’s historic Town Tuitioning allows residents of “tuition towns” (towns without an operated public school at a given grade level) to have tuition paid directly to a receiving public or approved independent school. Town Tuitioning is not homeschool funding; students must be enrolled in the receiving school to use it.
Programs
Home Study Program (Homeschool)
- Type: Homeschool compliance pathway (no direct funding)
- Award: None (family-funded)
- Uses/services: May request part-time public-school classes/activities (local discretion); eligible students can access statewide dual-credit options
- Admin: Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) — Home Study
Town Tuitioning (for residents of tuition towns)
- Type: District-paid tuition to a receiving public or approved independent school
- Award: Varies by grade & town; paid to the school (not to families)
- Uses: Covers school tuition only; does not pay for homeschool curriculum/supplies
- Admin: Local school districts (tuition towns) under state statute; AOE oversight
Dual Enrollment (grades 11–12) & Early College (grade 12)
- Type: College courses while in high school (tuition covered for a limited number of courses); one-year, full-time senior year at a participating college (Early College)
- Award: Dual Enrollment typically covers tuition for up to two college courses; Early College covers full-time senior-year tuition at a partner college (books/fees often extra)
- Uses: Approved college coursework counting for HS and/or college credit
- Admin: AOE with participating colleges; VSAC supports information & access
Eligibility
- Residency: Student is a Vermont resident.
- Age/grade: Home Study may be used to satisfy compulsory attendance during the required ages; Dual Enrollment/Early College have grade/age prerequisites.
- Prior enrollment: Not required for Home Study. Town Tuitioning applies only if your town does not operate a public school at the student’s grade level and the student enrolls in an eligible receiving school.
- Income / IEP: Not required for Home Study. Special education evaluations may be requested via the local district; ongoing services typically require enrollment or a district agreement.
- Other criteria: Home Study requires an annual enrollment (and end-of-year assessment per AOE options). Program-specific eligibility applies for Dual Enrollment/Early College.
How to apply
- Home Study: File the annual Home Study enrollment with AOE (online or by mail) for each student.
- Include the required information and keep records for the end-of-year assessment (choose one of AOE’s approved options).
- For part-time classes/activities, contact your local district to ask about availability, timelines, and any participation forms.
- For Town Tuitioning, verify your town’s eligibility and apply/enroll with the receiving school by its deadlines; the town pays tuition directly to the school.
- For Dual Enrollment/Early College, follow AOE/college application steps and meet semester/academic-year timelines.
Covered expenses
- No ESA/reimbursement for homeschool. Families purchase curriculum, materials, tests, software, and supplies out of pocket.
- Public-school access (local): Districts may allow part-time course enrollment and extracurricular participation.
- Dual Enrollment: Tuition for a limited number of college courses is covered; books/fees often not covered.
- Town Tuitioning: Pays tuition to an enrolled receiving school for eligible residents of tuition towns; no homeschool purchases.
- Transportation, exams, lab fees, and equipment are typically family-paid unless covered by the specific program/school.
- Special education services depend on district policies/enrollment status.
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Study annual enrollment | Year-round | File before starting each school year; keep EOY assessment timeline in mind. |
| Town Tuitioning selections | Varies by town/school | Coordinate with your town and receiving school admissions windows. |
| Dual Enrollment registration | Per semester | College add/drop and voucher timelines apply. |
| Early College application | Late winter–spring (typical) | Deadlines vary by participating college. |
Docs & forms
Official sources
FAQs
Does Vermont give ESA funds to homeschoolers?
No. Vermont has no ESA or general reimbursement for homeschool expenses. Families self-fund.
Can homeschoolers use Town Tuitioning?
No. Town Tuitioning pays tuition only when a student enrolls in an eligible public or approved independent school. It does not cover homeschool curriculum or supplies.
Can my child join public-school classes or sports?
Often, yes on a space-available basis at the district’s discretion. Ask your local school about part-time enrollment and activity eligibility.
Are dual-credit options available to Home Study students?
Eligible Vermont high-schoolers in Home Study can typically access Dual Enrollment (limited number of tuition-covered courses) and may apply for Early College. Books/fees usually remain family costs.
Do homeschoolers receive special education services?
You may request an evaluation through your local district. Ongoing services generally require enrollment or a district agreement; availability varies by LEA.
Contacts
AOE Home Study Program
Your Local School District
Ask about part-time classes, activities, and (if applicable) Town Tuitioning procedures and deadlines.
Law & regulations
- 16 V.S.A. § 166b — Home Study Program requirements.
- 16 V.S.A. § 822 and related sections — Tuitioning to public or approved independent schools.