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If you’re like many Utah parents, you might be considering—or even already—homeschooling your child. Recent studies have shown a significant increase in online searches for information about homeschooling in Utah. As more and more parents become concerned about the quality of education and the risks associated with sending their children to traditional schools, it’s no surprise that they’re searching out alternative academic options.
Whether or not to educate your child at home is a big decision, one that can have significant impacts on how you spend your time and money. Curriculum, textbooks, and supplies quickly add up, leading many parents to wonder, “Is there financial aid for homeschooling in Utah?” With the introduction of the Utah Fits All Scholarship in 2024, the answer to that question is yes. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, families now have access to state funding for homeschooling in Utah.
What is the Utah Homeschool Fits All Scholarship?
The Utah Fits All (UFA) Scholarship is a new scholarship fund for Utah students, available for the first time in the 2024-2025 school year. Approved by the state legislature in January 2023, the fund is managed by the Utah Department of Education. The scholarship is intended to expand the educational opportunities for students across the state.
Individual students may receive up to $8,000 from the UFA scholarship fund in a given school year. This money can be used for a wide range of expenses related to your child’s education and K-12 experience, including private school tuition, extracurricular fees and equipment (including sports equipment), book subscriptions, academic tutors and therapists, and even home internet access.
It’s important to note that students enrolled in Utah’s public schools for the scholarship year are not eligible for UFA funding. The UFA’s purpose is to empower students and their families to look beyond public school for their education—which includes homeschool. Homeschooling families like yours can utilize UFA funds to pay for curriculum, textbooks, and homeschool support services to help your child learn at home.
How to Apply for Utah Homeschool Fits All Scholarship
In order to qualify for the Utah Fits All Scholarship, your child must:
- Be a resident of Utah;
- Be in kindergarten or grades one through 12 for the award year;
- Not be enrolled in one of Utah’s public or charter schools, or in the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP);
- Not have received the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship (a special needs scholarship to pay tuition for students with disabilities) in the same year.
If your child meets the requirements above, you can apply for a UFA scholarship on their behalf. In 2024, applications for the 2024-2025 school year opened on February 28 and closed on April 22. Applications are ranked based on household income, to ensure that students with the greatest need receive the funds first.
In the first year of the program, household income was ranked based on a three-tier scale, prioritizing children in families with an income totaling no more than 200% of the federal poverty level. Students in families with an income of 201-555% of the federal poverty level fall into the second tier. If any funds are still available, applications will be considered from the final tier, which includes all K-12 students, regardless of their household income.
If your child is selected for a UFA scholarship, you can use the pre-approval process to plan your school year expenses. You can submit as many pre-approval forms as needed, helping you to identify and confirm eligible expenses that can be paid by homeschool grants in Utah—even before the year begins.
Download a free guide to homeschooling in Utah using state funding on our Utah homeschool laws page.
The Benefits of Homeschooling in Utah
With the creation of the UFA scholarship, the state government in Utah showed strong support for alternative schooling options like homeschooling. As concerns over sending your children to public school grow, the new scholarship fund is essential to helping parents like you bring your children’s education home.
By homeschooling your child, you have the opportunity to create a custom educational experience. You can choose what they study and how they study it (whether through traditional or unconventional means)—and what they encounter along the way. Reducing your child’s exposure to school violence and bullying is important for their mental health as well as their academic success.
Protecting your child from the more negative aspects of traditional schooling doesn’t mean putting them—or you—in isolation, though. With Bridgeway Academy, every child has access to a dedicated academic advisor to help guide their studies. They can also participate in numerous clubs, communities, and virtual activities, take online classes with real teachers, engage in peer collaboration, and even walk in an in-person graduation ceremony.
You’ll also find a wealth of support and resources for parents at Bridgeway. As you plan your child’s homeschool curriculum for the year, our educational experts can help you understand and work with your child’s unique learning style while focusing on the subject areas that are most important to you both.
With Bridgeway Academy, you have all the resources and support you need to provide your children with a high quality education at home.
Learn more about Utah Homeschool Financial Aid by Connecting with the Bridgeway Team
Are you considering homeschooling for your child in Utah, or looking to improve their homeschooling experience? Find out more about Utah’s homeschooling laws and requirements, and connect with our Bridgeway Academy team to learn how we can help.
To connect with our Utah homeschooling experts, call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474, schedule a consultation by filling out a contact form, join our next virtual open house, or use our live chat feature!
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