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Applying for a Curriculum Grant
You've come to the right place for support and compassion.
We have a heart for you, friend, because we know that everyone needs an extra level of financial support sometimes.
We admire your strong commitment to homeschooling because it’s our heartbeat too. Whether you need books for the upcoming school year, resources to help your child with special learning needs, or tuition for a homeschool co-op, we want to help you continue homeschooling your amazing children.
Curriculum Grants are funded by our caring donors who want to make a difference in the lives of homeschool families like you.
Curriculum Grants at a Glance
ABOUT THE GRANT
$200–$300 per child
Apply once a year
ABOUT THE APPLICATION
1–2 hours to complete
Use Chrome for best results
AFTER APPLYING
2–4 months review process
Submit receipts
Grant Eligibility
To be approved for a Curriculum Grant, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a current HSLDA member
- Demonstrate significant financial need
Have been homeschooling at least one child between ages 6 and 19 for at least 3 months (read more about what qualifies as homeschooling)
Be funding your homeschool privately, i.e., not receiving public funds to homeschool (including ESAs).
- Have legal custody of the child(ren) you are homeschooling
Wanting to reapply?
We welcome previous grant recipients to reapply as long as it has been one year since your last application. Just make sure you still meet standard eligibility requirements.
About the Application
Below is a quick overview of our grant application, so that you know what to expect. We want your application to go quickly and smoothly!
Required Documents
In the application, you will be asked to upload several documents to demonstrate your financial need and homeschool eligibility.
Required document list
List of Purchases
Because this grant is for academic purposes, the application will ask you to list your intended purchases.
Making a purchase list
Two References
The application will ask you to supply two character references who must be able to vouch for your integrity and homeschool status.
Reference informationTimeline and Review Process
Our application is open three times a year. You can click to see the open dates in each season. Reapplicants must wait at least one year since their last application.
WINTER
SPRING
FALL
Application Open
January 1 - February 28*
After you submit your application, we will contact your references.
Review Period
January 15 - May 31
After reference forms are returned, we will start the review process.
Notification
By May 31
We will email you our approval decision.
Grant Processed
By June 15
Once approved, we will mail your grant check.
Application Open
April 1 - June 30*
After you submit your application, we will contact your references.
Review Period
April 15 - October 31
After reference forms are returned, we will start the review process.
Notification
By October 31
We will email you our approval decision.
Grant Processed
By November 15
Once approved, we will mail your grant check.
Application Open
Sept 1 - Oct 31*
After you submit your application, we will contact your references.
Review Period
Sept 15 - Jan 31
After reference forms are returned, we will start the review process.
Notification
By January 31
We will email you our approval decision.
Grant Processed
By February 15
Once approved, we will mail your grant check.
*Depending on the availability of funds, this open grant period may be shortened or cancelled.
Please note: We do our best to adhere to this application timeline. However, when there is a high volume of applications, the review process and funding may be delayed. We will provide you with email updates every step of the way.
Using the Grant
Once you have been approved for a Curriculum Grant, you get to choose how you will use the funds. Though we encourage you to think about this before you apply, we know that homeschoolers often adjust their plans. So please read the following guidelines.
Grant Use Guidelines
Since this grant is for curriculum and educational resources, we have some limitations on how you may use the grant funds.
See usage guidelines
Submit Receipts
After receiving a grant, you are responsible for submitting receipts showing how you used the grant funds.
Discount Offers
Dozens of curriculum publishers offer generous discounts to our grant families. You may benefit from using one of these vendors!
View discount listReady to apply?
Tips for Success
Some tips and tricks to ensure the success of your application.
Did You Check?
- You meet the eligibility requirements.
- You can provide evidence of homeschooling.
- You collected all necessary financial documents.
- You have an idea of the materials you wish to purchase.
- You have the information for two references.
Already started an application? Follow these instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of homeschooling for this grant?
To be eligible to receive a Curriculum Grant, you must:
- Be funding your homeschool privately, i.e., not receiving public funds to homeschool (including ESAs).
- Be conducting the majority of the schooling at home (as opposed to a daily drop-off co-op);
- Have the authority to choose your child’s studies (as opposed to having the curriculum chosen by a school);
- Have been homeschooling for at least 3 months.
What if I'm not homeschooling like this yet?
If you want to homeschool but haven't yet started, let HSLDA help you start strong or check out our list of free and inexpensive curriculum and other homeschooling resources.
Can I use Curriculum Grant funds for past expenses?
Yes! You can use a Curriculum Grant to reimburse purchases made within 6 months of the grant check date. Purchases must fall within our standard requirements, and you must provide receipts of the purchases you wish to be reimbursed for. Please don’t send any receipts until we ask for them after your grant is approved.
I can't afford HSLDA membership. Are there options for me?
We don’t want financial restrictions to prevent you from receiving the benefits of HSLDA membership! If the $135/year or $14/month membership dues are prohibitive for you, please consider applying for financial aid.
Click here to learn more about how to apply for Membership Financial Aid.
Do you have other free resources?
Yes! We highly recommend checking out our list of free and inexpensive curriculum and technology.
Our website also has dozens of articles that are free to read at any time, including a library of recorded webinars, podcasts, and magazine articles.
If you are an HSLDA member, you can save money through our Member Savings program, which features specially negotiated discounts with outside vendors for travel, technology, curriculum, and more.
How likely is it that I’ll receive this grant?
While approval is not guaranteed, our grants are intended for anyone who meets our eligibility criteria—i.e., significant financial need and proper homeschooling status. This grant is given out on a first-come, first-serve basis to the families who meet our eligibility guidelines.
This is a donor-based program, so our funding is limited and may run out. We encourage you to apply near the beginning of the open application period if possible.
What can I do to get my grant money faster?
When there is a high volume of applications, the review process and funding may be delayed. You can help us streamline your grant processing time when you make sure that:
- The information on your application is accurate and complete.
- The documents you attached are clear, readable, and easily accessible.
- Your references fill out and return their forms within one week.
- You respond promptly to emails from HSLDA Compassion.
Can I apply if I am homeschooling under an unusual set of circumstances?
If you are uncertain whether you will be able to provide information on your application due to unique life circumstances (i.e., living in a shelter, homeless, otherwise isolated), we encourage you to email compassioninfo@hslda.org or call 540-338-8688 so that we can assist you directly.
Grants at Work
Each year, we encourage and enable more families to continue homeschooling through challenging circumstances. Here are some of their stories. If you would like to contribute to this, donate here.
Use Chrome as your browser.
We recommend filling out the application on Chrome, regardless of your device’s default browser. Your application may not submit if you use other browsers, so we want to save you frustration. You can download Chrome for free here.
Use a desktop computer to apply.
Although it is possible to fill out the application on a mobile device, applicants have found that it is easier to enter all the information on a desktop.
Using an Apple device?
If you are filling out the application on an Apple device (such as a Mac, iPhone, or iPad), you may see a login screen instead of a confirmation screen when you submit your application. If this happens to you, please email compassioninfo@hslda.org so we can confirm that your application submitted successfully. In your email, please include what device and browser you used to fill out the application.
Confirm file formats and sizes.
The application will ask you to upload several documents. To avoid your application being delayed, make sure each document:
- Is clear and readable.
- Is not an HEIC or video file.
- Does not have any security codes required to open it.
- Does not exceed 5 MB. Your application’s total attachments must NOT exceed 35 MB.
Why do we have this requirement?
This is a donor-based program, so our funding is limited and sometimes runs out. We reserve our grants for families who aren't receiving the help of public funds for their homeschool costs. Learn more about what an ESA is here.