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According to recent estimates from the US Census, approximately one in ten K-12 students in Alaska are homeschooled. This number makes perfect sense when you consider that the homeschooling options in the state are almost as expansive as the landscape, with four different pathways available to families pursuing an at-home education.
One of these pathways even offers a financial benefit for homeschooling families. While Alaska does not directly pay its families to homeschool, Alaska parents who choose to homeschool through an approved correspondence school can receive an allotment of state funds to support their child’s education.
The Alaska correspondence school allotment can be used for a wide range of education-related expenses for children in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The funds are not, however, available to every homeschooled student in the state—and there are important limits to consider in how they can be spent. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about the Alaska Homeschool Allotment to support your homeschooled child in the state.
What is The Alaska Homeschool Allotment?
The Alaska Correspondence School Allotment is an allocation of funding available for homeschooled children in the US’s largest—and most remote—state. The program is intended to offset the cost of an at-home education, and the funds can be used to pay for expenses such as curriculum, books, school supplies, technology, and extracurricular activities.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the standard homeschool allotment amount was $2,700. While Alaska offers four different types of homeschooling, each with their own requirements, homeschool allotment funds are only available to children who are registered with, and meet the requirements of, one of the state’s correspondence homeschool education programs.
When a child enrolls with one of these correspondence providers, their allotment funding automatically becomes available. Families do not need to apply for this funding, nor do they receive the funds directly as a cash payout. Each child’s allotment can be utilized through a reimbursement system, in which parents submit receipts and are paid back for eligible expenses.
Families who choose to educate their children without an approved correspondence school, or who homeschool through a religious private school or with a private tutor can not receive Alaska correspondence allotment funds. The state board of education prohibits the use of its allotment funding for faith-based education. Additionally, funding is only available through an approved homeschool education program such as IDEA Homeschool or Raven Homeschool.
IDEA Homeschool in Alaska
IDEA has been supporting homeschooling Alaskans for nearly three decades, offering local resources and guidance for families in the state. The homeschool allotment for IDEA Homeschool students is $2,700 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Families enrolled in IDEA Alaska Homeschool can use their allotment to pay for an expansive list of education-related expenses, including many of Bridgeway Academy’s homeschool curriculum and program offerings.
Qualifying educational expenses through IDEA include:
- Curriculum and homeschool programs
- Textbooks, literature, and reference books
- General school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, and whiteboards
- Subject-specific items such as art supplies, math flash cards and calculators, and science kits
- Field trips to museums, art galleries, theatrical productions, and more
- Subscriptions to educational magazines, programs, and boxes
- Educational games
- Technology needs, including both hardware and software
- Fees and memberships for sport clubs, lessons, and even ski lift tickets to support physical education
More information about IDEA Homeschool and the Alaska homeschool allotment can be found on the IDEA website. Families can also enroll in IDEA Homeschool by visiting the IDEA enrollment page.
What is Raven Homeschool in Alaska?
Based in the Yukon-Koyukuk School District (YKSD), Raven Homeschool offers its correspondence school services and enrollment for families all across Alaska. For the 2024-2025 school year, Raven Homeschool students received an allotment of up to $2,700. Reduced funding was also available for students who chose to participate in correspondence homeschooling part-time.
Bridgeway Academy is an approved service provider at Raven Homeschool in Alaska, and the Alaska homeschool allotment funding can be used for many of Bridgeway’s homeschool programs and curriculum offerings. The allotment can also be used through Raven Homeschool to pay for school supplies, private lessons and tutoring, extracurricular activities, internet service, and much more.
To enroll in Raven Homeschool, parents should visit the Raven Homeschool website and click the “Enroll Now” button.
| Need help understanding Alaska’s homeschool allotment? Speak to a Bridgeway Academy Admissions Counselor by calling 1-800-863-1474. |
How Much Does it Cost to Homeschool in Alaska?
Just as every child is unique, so are their homeschooling needs. Older, self-driven students may require only an ad-hoc class or two to support their educational goals, while other families prefer a fully-outlined, custom curriculum to help them plan their school year.
Individual online classes typically start around $300, while full academic year programs require an investment of $5,000 or more. For many families, the cost of homeschooling lands somewhere in the middle, with education-related expenses that include curriculum, books, field trips, and more to suit their child’s unique educational goals and family needs.
The Alaska Homeschool Allotment can assist with a significant portion, if not all, of these expenses. This funding is critical in supporting educational choice and making homeschooling a viable and affordable option for families across the state.
Obtain Funding to Homeschool in Alaska with Bridgeway Academy
As concerns over school safety and educational quality mount, many families are considering homeschooling as an important alternative to traditional education options. In fact, homeschooling has proven to be one of the best educational options available for many children, whether they’re struggling in a public school environment or craving academic stimulation beyond what a traditional school can offer.
Whatever your reasons for choosing to homeschool, Bridgeway Academy’s personalized learning plans, innate flexibility, one-on-one support, and thriving community are unmatched.
As an approved partner with both IDEA Homeschool and Raven Homeschool, Bridgeway Academy offers a wide range of approved homeschool programs, live online classes, and curriculum for Alaska families. All of our offerings and services are eligible for reimbursement through the Alaska homeschool allotment, with the exception of any religious courses or Christian-based curriculum.
Plus, we’ll help you make the switch from traditional schooling to homeschool. Our Admissions Counselors are available to answer any questions, coordinate the transfer of records, and offer expert tips for a stress-free transition to homeschooling.
To learn more about Alaska homeschool funding and making the transition to homeschooling in Alaska, call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474. You can also join our next virtual open house or contact us online.
Alaska Homeschool Allotment FAQ
Still have questions about homeschool funding in Alaska? Here are some of the top questions we see from families in the state.
How much do you get for homeschooling in Alaska?
How much does Alaska pay for homeschooling? The answer depends on the school year, the funding amount determined by the state, and the child’s enrollment status. For the 2024-2025 school year, a K-12 student fully enrolled in a correspondence homeschool received an allotment of $2,700.
What items can be purchased using my Alaska Homeschool Allotment?
The Alaska homeschool allotment can be used for a wide range of academic and education-related purposes, including everything from curriculum and books to sport fees. For a full list of eligible expenses, connect with your correspondence homeschool provider.
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