Homeschool Funding in Washington

No State Funding Programs

Washington is one of only a few Western states that does not offer any form of ESA, education choice tax credit, voucher, or education tax scholarship for homeschool families. There is no state-level financial support specifically for home educators.

Proposed ESA Legislation

House Bill 1615 has been introduced to create a "Students First" ESA program in Washington. If passed, it would fund Education Savings Accounts primarily for:

• Students receiving special education services
• Students from low-income families
• Students assigned to failing public schools

Eligible expenses would include private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring, exam fees, homeschool curriculum, educational therapies, and postsecondary education services. As of early 2026, this bill has not passed. [VERIFY current status of HB 1615]

Federal Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Your primary financial tools are at the federal level:

• Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) — Save up to $2,000 per child per year tax-free for K–12 expenses including curriculum, books, supplies, tutoring, and computer equipment
• 529 College Savings Plans — Washington offers the GET (Guaranteed Education Tuition) plan and the DreamAhead College Investment Plan. Under federal law, up to $10,000 per year may be used for K–12 tuition. Washington has no state income tax, so there is no state tax deduction for 529 contributions.

Public School Access: A Significant Benefit

One of Washington's best financial advantages for homeschoolers is robust access to public school resources. Under state law, homeschooled students can participate as part-time students, gaining access to:

• Individual public school classes — Your child can take one or more classes at the local public school while homeschooling for other subjects
• Extracurricular activities and sports — Homeschooled students can participate in public school sports, clubs, and activities
• Ancillary services — If eligible, your child may receive special education services, counseling, and other support services from the district

The school district is required by law to permit enrollment of part-time students and provide these services on the same basis as full-time students (per RCW 28A.150.350). This effectively gives Washington homeschoolers access to publicly funded resources that many other states do not offer.