How Much Does It Cost to Homeschool in Alabama? A Guide for Parents

With only a handful of regulations for homeschooling in the state, Alabama is widely considered one of the more homeschool-friendly places in the country. Homeschooling is free in Alabama. There are no mandated tuition costs. However, homeschooling families need to provide their own curriculum, materials, and resources. These can also be provided through an accredited homeschool program.

Alabama law offers three different pathways toward a homeschool education:

• Homeschooling Through a Private School or as a Home-Based Private School: Parents can either establish their own home-based private school for their children or enroll their child in an established private school that allows for at-home learning.
• Homeschooling Through a Church School: Like a private school, many church schools provide a “cover” or umbrella school to enroll the child, but allow for an at-home extension of the education. Parents must enroll their child in the church school and notify the school district of their enrollment choice with certification from the church school administrator.
• Homeschooling With a Private Tutor: When parents homeschool through a private tutor, they hire an Alabama-certified teacher to instruct their child at home. 

Alabama offers resources, such as the Alabama CHOOSE Act, to help with the costs of homeschooling, making it easier for families to choose the right educational path for their children. While these resources can help offset some expenses, families considering homeschooling should also be aware of the full financial investment required for their child’s education at home.

Typical Costs of Homeschooling in Alabama

For many families, homeschooling offers an incredible opportunity to meet their child’s unique educational and social needs with a custom learning plan and environment. While homeschooling does come with financial considerations, many families find that the flexibility and personalized education it provides make it a worthwhile investment in their child’s future.

Common homeschool expenses include:

• Curriculum and Educational Materials
• School Supplies
• Technology
• Extracurricular Activities
• Support Services

Curriculum and Educational Materials

Homeschool curriculum options range from full-year outlines to ad-hoc, self-guided courses. While it is possible to find free homeschooling curriculum resources online, these often lack the structure, accreditation, and support that paid programs provide, which can be important for meeting educational standards and future academic goals.

Plus, paid curriculum options are typically accredited. Accreditation ensures that the educational program you’re using has been vetted by a third party, and most important of all it helps to ensure that other institutions, including colleges and universities, recognize the validity of your child’s education.

School Supplies and Technology

Almost all students, whether they attend public school or are homeschooled, need laptops, tablet computers, educational software, and internet access too. 

Technology provides your child with a high quality education, as well as to prepare them for entry into a high-tech world after graduation.

Extracurricular Activities and Support Services

A well-rounded education goes well beyond the classroom. Many homeschooled children participate in field trips, local sports leagues, music lessons, and co-op programs, just like students in traditional schools. In many school districts, homeschooled students are allowed to participate in the extracurricular activities and support services of their local public schools. 

While these experiences are important for your child’s academic and social education, paying to participate in them is the family’s choice.

What Is the Alabama CHOOSE Act?

Passed by the state legislature in 2024, the Alabama Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act established a state-funded education savings account (ESA) program for students across the state.

The CHOOSE Act in Alabama allocated $100 million in state funding for the inaugural program year of 2025-2026. From this total amount, grants of up to $7,000 will be provided to students enrolled in non-public educational options, including both homeschool and approved private schools.

The program is designed to make non-public education options more accessible to families across the state, supporting parents’ ability to make the right educational choices for their children. The funds can be used for private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, and other education-related expenses.

How the Alabama School Choice Bill Can Help Homeschooling Families

Homeschooling families can receive up to $4,000 total ($2,000 per child) through the CHOOSE Act in Alabama to help with the costs of an at-home education. These funds are specifically designated for education-related expenses, including:

• Curriculum and textbooks
• Educational software and technology
• Testing fees
• Private tutoring or special education services
• Approved extracurricular activities

CHOOSE Act funds are held in an educational savings account (ESA) through the service provider ClassWallet. The money is not distributed directly to parents. To use the funds, parents must purchase eligible services and products through the ClassWallet platform, where they can select from a list of approved education service providers (ESP).

ESP funds can not be used for any expenses or fees not directly related to your child’s education, even if those fees come through a school. Examples of costs that are not covered by the CHOOSE Act funding include:

• Child care, including before or after school care programs
• Fundraising efforts
• Field trips
• Food
• Graduation fees
• School Uniforms
• Sports fees and expenses
• Transportation

A full list of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found in the CHOOSE Act Parent Guide.

Who Is Eligible for the Alabama School Choice Act?

Funding through the CHOOSE Act is intended to support school choice for all Alabama families, but some eligibility limitations help to ensure that the funding goes to those with the greatest need.

To qualify for CHOOSE Act funding, your child must be:

• A resident of Alabama
• Eligible for and enrolled in kindergarten (turning 5 by September 1 of the award year) through 12th grade

In addition, eligibility for the 2025-2026 school year is limited to families with a household income under 300% of the 2024 federal poverty line. That number starts at $61,320 for a family of two, and increases based on the number of people in the household.

The first 500 grants through the CHOOSE Act program are being held for students with special needs. Additional priority is given to participating students and their siblings as well as children of active-duty service members who are currently enrolled in one of the state’s priority schools. Priority schools received low marks on their most recent school report card, as evaluated by the Alabama Department of Education.

How to Apply for Alabama CHOOSE Act Assistance

To apply for CHOOSE Act funding, you will need to provide:

• Your child’s birth certificate or proof of guardianship
• Proof of household income, such as a recent tax return or social security statement
• Proof of Alabama residency, such as a driver’s license, lease agreement, or utility bill

The application window for the 2025-2026 school year opened in early January and will close on April 7, 2025. Awardees will be notified in May, and funds will be available on July 1, 2025.

To apply, visit the CHOOSE Act website and click the Apply Now button. You will be required to create an online account to complete your application and submit your documentation.

Which Homeschool Programs Are Eligible Under the School Choice Bill in Alabama?

Bridgeway Academy is an approved service provider for the CHOOSE Act in Alabama, which means that our full suite of accredited homeschool programs and curriculum for homeschooling is eligible for reimbursement through your child’s ESA.

Bridgeway Academy offers a wide range of flexible educational options for homeschooled students in Alabama, including self-paced courses, live online classes led by certified teachers, and so much more. These options allow parents to craft a fully customized curriculum and educational plan for their children, ensuring that they meet their child’s needs and maximize their learning potential.

 Our homeschool curriculum is available starting as early as pre-K and all the way through high school. We also have programs geared toward dual enrollment students who have chosen a hybrid model for their education.

Make the Switch More Affordable with Homeschool Grants in Alabama

Homeschooling is an investment in your child’s individual academic future, but the Alabama CHOOSE Act can help make that investment more affordable.

Whether your child is excelling beyond what their school has to offer or struggling in a traditional school environment, homeschooling offers one of the best educational options possible. With a personalized learning plan, unmatched flexibility, one-on-one support, and a thriving community of fellow homeschool students and families, Bridgeway Academy can help you provide your child with the best education possible.

Even more, we’re ready to help ease the transition from public school to homeschool. Our Admissions Counselors can help with the transfer of records, give you tips to help your child settle into at-home learning, and so much more. Connect with our team to find out how to start homeschooling and learn how Bridgeway Academy can help. 

Helpful Links:

Curriculum Kits By Grade

• Pre K Homeschool Curriculum
• Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
• Middle School Homeschool Curriculum
• High School Homeschool Curriculum

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Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling Costs in Alabama

Still have questions about the cost of homeschooling in Alabama? Below are some of the most common questions we receive.

What is the Alabama CHOOSE Act?

The CHOOSE Act of Alabama is a state initiative to support educational choice for all Alabama families. The program offers educational savings accounts (ESAs) for children who are enrolled in private school or homeschooled in the state. In order to support those with the greatest financial need, the program is limited to lower-income families. It also prioritizes children with disabilities and military families.

Who qualifies for the Alabama CHOOSE Act?

Children who are enrolled in K-12 private school or homeschooled, live in Alabama, and whose families have a combined household income of no more than 300% of the federal poverty level may qualify for funding through the CHOOSE Act.

Can you get money for homeschooling in Alabama?

Yes! Through the Alabama CHOOSE Act, families are eligible for up to $4,000 ($2,000 per child) to spend on education-related expenses for homeschooling.