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Table of Contents:
- What are NH Education Freedom Accounts?
- Who is Eligible?
- How to Apply
- Eligible Homeschool Programs
- Next Steps for Parents
The cost of educating a child at home is an important consideration for any homeschooling family. In New Hampshire, the Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) Program is an important resource to support educational choice for all families, including those that homeschool. As of the 2024-2025 school year, the EFA provided eligible New Hampshire children with up to $3,700 or more to help with expenses such as homeschooling programs, online learning, and educational supplies.
For many families who want more freedom in their child’s educational options but lack the resources to pursue them, the funds provided by the NH Education Freedom Accounts program may be invaluable. Below, you will find more information about the program, who is eligible, what educational expenses are allowed, and how to apply.
What are Education Freedom Accounts?
Launched in 2022 as a result of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Accounts program is a state-funded initiative to provide families with greater access to alternative educational opportunities. The program is administered by the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire and geared toward lower-income families.
Funding through EFA NH is provided only to students who are not enrolled in a New Hampshire public school or public charter school. The program is exclusively focused on supporting families who seek alternative educational options for their children, such as private school or homeschooling.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the standard EFA funding amount was $3,700 per eligible child. These funds can be used for a variety of educational expenses such as private or online school tuition, homeschool curriculum, internet service, educational program fees, computers, education-related therapies, and testing fees.
Some families may qualify for additional funding for their child based on demonstrated need. This “differentiated aid” ranges from $700 to $2,000. It is available to students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch, have a qualifying disability, are learning English as a second language, or have other documented special needs.
Families who have been awarded an EFA grant can access the funding through an online portal called ClassWallet. The total funding amount is spread out in four allocations throughout the year. A portion of the funds becomes available in your ClassWallet account in September, November, January, and April.
Parents utilize their child’s EFA funding by submitting receipts for eligible education-related expenses. Each receipt is manually reviewed and approved for reimbursement by the EFA team.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting New Hampshire’s dedicated site for Education Freedom Accounts.
How EFAs Support Homeschooling Families
Education Freedom Account funding can be used for a wide range of education-related expenses to help New Hampshire’s homeschooling students and their families succeed.
For homeschooling families, allowable expenses may include:
- Technological devices and services
- Curriculum, textbooks, and other instructional materials and software
- Homeschooling programs
- Testing fees
- Occupational, behavioral, physical, and other therapies
- Summer education program tuition and fees
The program does not pay for family expenses such as TVs, furniture, streaming services, recreational equipment, entertainment passes, or toys. EFA funds also cannot be used to pay for a parent’s time, even when that parent is serving as their child’s teacher.
A Parent Handbook, available for download on the EFA NH website, offers a full list of both eligible and ineligible expenses. This helpful document is reviewed annually to ensure that parents have access to the most up-to-date information.
Who is Eligible for the NH School Voucher Program?
The Education Freedom Accounts NH program is intended to support alternative educational options for K-12 students across the state. The program’s broad eligibility requirements ensure that funding is available to a wide range of families with unique educational needs and goals.
Because income is often a limiting factor when it comes to educational choice, the program is specially designed to support lower-income families. Only families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for EFA funds.
Students can receive EFA funding if they are homeschooled or enrolled in private school, whether in-person or online. They are not eligible for EFA funding if they are enrolled in public school or a public charter school full time.
For children who have received EFA funding in the past, a “record of educational attainment” is required to qualify for funding in future school years. This documentation can include test results from the NH state-wide assessment or other standardized tests, a signed evaluation letter from the child’s teacher, or a report card.
More details can be found on the EFA program website.
Eligibility Checklist for Parents
To be eligible for New Hampshire’s educational financial assistance program, families must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of New Hampshire
- Have a child who is between the ages of 5 and 20 and eligible to enroll in New Hampshire’s K-12 public schools
- Have a household income not greater than 350% of the federal poverty guidelines, based on family size
- Able to provide a record of educational attainment, if seeking renewed funding.
How to Apply for the EFA NH Program
Families must apply for NH Education Freedom Accounts each year, even if they’ve received EFA funding in the past. Only one application should be submitted for each family, and there is no cost to apply.
EFA grant applications can be submitted throughout the year and are reviewed on a rolling basis. The timing of the application, however, may impact the amount of funding received. To qualify for the full award amount, applications must be received and verified before July 15, prior to the start of the school year. After July 15, award amounts will be prorated based on the date that the application was submitted and approved.
To apply, parents should visit the EFA Program Website and click on either New Families or Returning Families, depending on whether they’ve received an EFA grant in the past.
The online application form asks for details about the child, their parent(s), and the household income. Parents should be ready to provide supporting documentation for their request, including proof of residency and income (usually a tax return), an Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan or other records demonstrating additional need, and a record of educational attainment for those returning students.
Parents can expect to receive a response within four weeks, though it may take longer if additional information is needed. Families selected to receive an EFA award will be notified by email.
Which Homeschool Programs Are Eligible for the NH School Voucher Program?
NH freedom educational funds can pay for textbooks and curriculum, educational software and applications, online courses, and even education-related subscriptions. That means that the full suite of programs and homeschool solutions available through Bridgeway Academy qualify for state-sponsored funding in New Hampshire.
Bridgeway Academy offers curated homeschool curriculum options for students at every level and every learning situation, including pre-K, elementary, middle school, high school, and dual enrollment students. Our accredited homeschool programs are customized to meet the unique needs of every student and every family, with a time-tested evaluation process to understand a child’s learning style and interests, one-on-one academic guidance from a team of trusted advisors and educational professionals, and opportunities to engage with other students both locally and around the world. We also offer support for homeschooling parents, giving them access to a robust community of like-minded families.
Next Steps for Parents Ready to Start Homeschooling
With the financial support available through the NH Education Freedom Accounts, many families in New Hampshire can now consider homeschooling as a top educational option for their children.
Homeschooling has been growing in the state in recent years—and for good reason. New Hampshire parents who educate their children at home have the ability to shape their child’s entire school experience. They can choose the subjects their child studies, how and when they receive instruction, and how they engage with the world every day. Homeschooling has been shown to reduce exposure to bullying and school violence. Even more, homeschooling parents can create a personalized path for their child’s individual learning journey.
Making the switch to homeschooling has never been easier! Our expert team provides personalized onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition from public or private school. From credit transfers to tailored resources and ongoing support, we’re here to help your family every step of the way.
Bridgeway Academy’s accredited homeschool programs offer unmatched flexibility, personalized learning plans, one-to-one support from academic advisors, and a thriving community connecting students and their parents with other homeschooling families.
Our Admissions Counselors are available to help you learn more about homeschooling in New Hampshire and Bridgeway Academy’s programs for homeschooling families. Call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474 or join our next virtual open house.
