Does South Carolina Pay for Homeschooling?

For many families, homeschooling your children is a great alternative to traditional public and private schools. Through homeschooling, you have better control over your child’s curriculum and schedule—and their safety and well-being too.

While the role of at-home educator is not a paid position in South Carolina, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program is a great resource for families who choose to educate their children at home.

What is the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program?

The Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program is a state-wide program funded and administered by the South Carolina Department of Education. Founded in 2023, the ESTF offers a $6,000 scholarship to each qualifying child to allow them to “customize” their education. The funds can be used for private school tuition, tutoring assistance, disability services, and more to help them be successful.

There are as many as 15,000 scholarships available each school year, and applications are approved and funded on a first-come, first-serve basis. To apply, you must be a resident of South Carolina. Your child must be school-aged in the application year or received the scholarship in the previous year, and your household income must also be within the program guidelines. For the 2025-2026 school year, the household income limit is 300%—or three times—the federal poverty level. It increases to 400% in 2026-2027.

In past years, homeschooled children were not eligible for the South Carolina Educational Scholarship Trust Fund program. In 2024, however, the legislation was amended to remove that exclusion, offering South Carolina homeschool financial aid for the first time. Your child is no longer required to have attended public school in the previous year, and homeschooling is no longer excluded as a viable educational option.

As long as the funds are spent with one of the state’s approved Education Service Providers, such as Bridgeway Academy, homeschooled children who meet the requirements above will qualify for the scholarship. That means that, whether you’re new to homeschooling or an experienced at-home teacher, you can now apply for homeschool grants in South Carolina.

If you have questions about enrolling your child in a homeschool program or how to select the right program for your child, connect with Bridgeway Academy by scheduling a consultation, using the chat feature at the bottom right of our website, or registering for our next virtual open house.

How to Apply for the South Carolina ESTF Program for Homeschoolers

Applications for South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund are submitted online through the ESTF program website. For the 2024-2025 school year, the applications opened on January 15 and closed on March 15.

As part of your application, you’ll be asked to provide proof of residency and income. You may need to submit documentation for your child, such as a birth certificate, as well. As previously noted, funds are distributed to qualifying students on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it’s best to get your application in early.

Once approved, the SCDE uses ClassWallet to distribute funds. You can access and manage your child’s ClassWallet account through an online portal.

Are there additional financial aid options for homeschoolers in South Carolina?

The ESTF program is the only government resource offering for state funding for homeschool in South Carolina. However, additional resources may be available to support you and your child.

Some local and national organizations, like the Home School Legal Defense Association, offer need-based grants for homeschooling families. These private grants are donor-funded and aimed toward families who’ve been through natural disasters or are simply struggling financially.

The Benefits of Homeschooling in South Carolina

Homeschooling has been on the rise in South Carolina for the past few years, thanks in part to the flexibility it offers. Homeschooling allows parents like you to curate your child’s academic experience, ensuring an education and environment that helps them thrive.

With homeschooling, you have full control over your child’s educational experience, from the subjects they study to the things they encounter during the day. By reducing your child’s exposure to bullying and school violence, you can help to improve their mental health as well as their educational outcomes.

As an approved Education Service Provider for the ESTF, Bridgeway Academy offers all the resources and support to help you provide your children with a high quality education that meets your child and family’s unique needs. We offer comprehensive homeschool program packages with everything from accreditation to live online classes and teacher support as well as the option to select only the products and services you need to build your own customized education package. We tailor each learning experience to your child’s needs based on learning style, personality style, educational level, and future goals.  

Learn more about Bridgeway Academy’s all-inclusive homeschool programs that are fully funded by the South Carolina ESTF program.

As a parent, you will find a wealth of support and resources at Bridgeway to guide your child through their K-12 education and your child will have just as many resources, if not more. They will have access to a dedicated academic advisor to support them on their educational journey. They can participate in numerous clubs, communities, and virtual activities, take live online classes with real teachers, engage in peer collaboration opportunities, and even walk in an in-person graduation ceremony, ensuring that they’re never alone in their education—no matter where it takes them.

Learn more about South Carolina Homeschool Financial Aid by Connecting with the Bridgeway Team

Are you considering homeschooling for your child in South Carolina, or looking to improve their homeschooling experience? Find out more about South Carolina’s homeschooling laws and requirements, and connect with our Bridgeway Academy team to learn how we can help.

To connect with our South Carolina homeschooling experts, call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474, fill out a contact form, join our next virtual open house, or use our live chat feature!