Frequently Asked Questions about the Discount Group Program
To better serve you, we’ve tried to anticipate some of your questions. When you see a question you’d like answered, just click on it—the answer will appear below. Click the question again to close it and move on. If you find that your question isn’t listed, feel free to contact us via any of the following methods:
Phone: 540-338-5600 | Mail: P.O. Box 3000 · Purcellville, VA 20134-9000 | Email: GroupServices@hslda.org
What are the requirements to become a Discount Group?
For the purpose of this listing and for our Group Services programs, a state or local homeschool group is a group, co-op, program, or other organization which exists expressly to provide “in-person” support, activities, information, and/or encouragement such as support group meetings, co-ops, field trips, sports programs, curriculum fairs, etc., for homeschooling families. (Remember that the average homeschooler browsing this list is looking for local support for day-to-day homeschooling, which could include regular meetings, sports activities, field trips, clubs or classes, etc. Homeschool service providers, PACs, social media groups, email lists, website-only groups, and other homeschool network resources are listed separately under National Vendors/Homeschool Networks and do not qualify for the Discount Group program.)
- Your group should serve at least ten families.
- Maintain an enrollment/membership list (online roster).
- Have regular communication (at least twice a year) with your families about HSLDA benefits, via newsletter, personal letters, or meetings, etc.
- Promote HSLDA membership to your families. (Materials are available at no charge for member packets, welcome table, etc. Links to service providers, blogs, or social networking pages can be found elsewhere on our site.)
What is the HSLDA Discount Group Program?
What are the benefits of being an HSLDA Discount Group?
- Gives your group members a $15 savings on HSLDA’s annual membership.
- Gives you the opportunity to earn rewards through our Update Rewards program.
- May qualify your group for our HSLDA Compassion grant.
- Entitles you to publish more detailed information about your group on our site.
- Provides access to the Meetings in Minutes downloads and other exclusive leadership resources.
- Qualifies your group for discounted rates in group insurance policies through Homeschool Insurance Solutions.
Go here to see the benefits of becoming a Discount Group.
Why should our group members join HSLDA?
What does joining HSLDA do for me?
- Protects your right to homeschool and defends your family. A lawyer is on call 24/7.
- Provides fast help by phone or email: Get direct answers to your specific questions about home education. Veteran homeschooling parents are available to answer your questions and help you find resources for teaching your children:
- Toddlers to Tweens (PreK-8th grade)
- High school (including preparing for college or career paths)
- Struggling learners (special needs/gifted and talented)
- Preserves homeschool freedom for all families by promoting homeschooling nationwide, as well as by working with state homeschooling groups to pass homeschool-friendly legislation and stop unfavorable bills at the state and federal levels.
- Partners you with the cause: Although homeschooling is recognized in every state, HSLDA receives phone calls each day from families whose right to homeschool is being challenged or discriminated against by school officials, child protective services investigators, employers, colleges, armed services recruitment officers, and government bureaucrats. By joining HSLDA, you are supporting families who are fighting for their right to homeschool today and standing together to preserve homeschooling freedom for tomorrow.
Other Valuable Benefits
News and resources
- Magazine—Our quarterly member magazine, the Home School Court Report, brings you news, case updates, what’s happening in your state, and other helpful resources.
- Weekly updates and e-lerts—Stay on top of the latest homeschooling news and take action on homeschooling-related legislation in your state or the nation.
- E-newsletters—Our early years, high school, and special needs e-newsletters are specifically designed to help you with your homeschooling challenges.
Shopping
- HSLDA Online Academy—Enjoy $50–$100 in savings on every online Advanced Placement course your high schooler takes through the academy.
- HSLDA Store—Look for special member pricing throughout HSLDA’s online store.
- HSLDA PerX program—Take advantage of exclusive member discounts and offers from national products and services.
How do we become an HSLDA Discount Group?
Do you have sample wording for our newsletter or webpage?
Here's one example of what you might adapt for your newsletter or other publication:
We recommend that homeschooling families join HSLDA. Even if you never experience legal trouble yourself, your HSLDA membership will help enable other homeschooling families to get the legal help they need and will help defend our right to homeschool here in [your town]. Membership in HSLDA also gives you personal access to the legal staff; HSLDA's experienced high school, special needs, and Toddlers to Tweens consultants; and discounts through HSLDA's PerX program. (For more information about HSLDA's many benefits, see www.hslda.org.) [Your group] members SAVE $15 on the HSLDA membership price when you enter our Discount Group code xxxxxx on the HSLDA membership form!
Do you have links and banners I can use to promote HSLDA on our website?
HTML for each image is below/next to the image. Copy and paste this into the html for your site. When your site visitors click on these banners they will be taken to HSLDA.
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We're already a Discount Group. How do new families join HSLDA and get our discount?
Can a member change from one Discount Group to another?
HSLDA members who switch from another Discount Group to your Discount Group need to do one of the following:
- The member may contact HSLDA directly via email or phone to make an immediate change, or
- The member may indicate the change in his annual HSLDA membership renewal (HSLDA sends renewal forms directly to members; group leaders do not need to process them), or
- The leader may simply add the member to the group's online roster.
How do I update our Discount Group roster?
HSLDA provides an online roster of the HSLDA group members using your Discount Group number. Once your Discount Group status has been approved, we will send you details on where and how to access this roster. You will need to register on the Group Services website in order to access your roster. From this secure site, you will be able to add new families and remove ones who are no longer a part of your group.
If you are already a Discount Group, please click on "Update Your Roster" in the Quick Links sidebar to your left to view your group's roster. We ask that as a Discount Group you update your online Discount Group roster and review/update your contact information (support group directory listing and HSLDA office records) once per school year (September–August). Efficiency tip: Update everything at the same time! Groups who update their roster and their contact info at least once during the school year will qualify the following October for the Update Rewards program (formerly Roster Rewards).
What if we fall below the 10-member minimum?
While we no longer have a minimum requirement for HSLDA membership numbers within your group, every member who joins HSLDA helps us have the resources to better support groups like yours, so we encourage you to let your families know about the benefits of HSLDA membership!
We are not a Discount Group, but would like to list our group information on your site.
NEW! In the past, only Discount Groups have been listed on our support group directory. However, to better serve our members, we recently added the capability to list other groups, not just those who who participate in the Discount Group program. Discount Groups now have the benefit of listing more complete information about their programs, while non-Discount Groups will be able to list their group name and contact information.
What are HSLDA Compassion grants?
In recognition of the strategic role that state and local groups play in homeschooling, HSLDA Compassion developed a grant program for eligible groups (those with 25 or more HSLDA members on their Discount Group rosters). Last year, HSLDA Compassion was able to help more than 44 homeschool groups with grants for various projects—from lending libraries to assisting widows and single parents as they homeschool.
Information is sent to qualifying groups via email in the late spring of each year; please verify your group's contact information so your information and application go to the correct address. (All grants need to be used for tax-exempt purposes that further the mission of homeschooling and cannot be used for any direct lobbying.)
For more information regarding HSLDA Compassion and those they serve, please visit the HSLDA website. Additionally, if you know of families who would qualify for Compassion grants, please encourage them to contact HSLDA Compassion at (540) 338-8688.
Questions or comments?
Please contact HSLDA's Group Services Director with any questions, suggestions, or concerns at
(540) 338-5600 or GroupServices@hslda.org.