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
ABOUT THE APPLICATION
AFTER APPLYING
Grant Eligibility
- 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 listList of Purchases
Because this grant is for academic purposes, the application will ask you to list your intended purchases.
Making a purchase listTwo 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
New applicants may choose the season they want to apply in. Reapplicants must wait at least one year since their last application.
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 guidelinesSubmit 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 listFrequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
HSLDA offered one-on-one consulting as a part of our member benefits until April 2024.
We then began transitioning to offering exclusive how-to-homeschool guidance via member-only webinars, master classes, articles, and other resources that can be accessed 24/7 on our website. We still have a team of Educational Specialists that produce exclusive content for our members and speak at events.
Our decision to move away from educational consulting arose from the tremendous growth of homeschooling since 2020. New sources of consulting and support are developing for home-educating families as more parents realize, “I can homeschool, too!” At the same time, with homeschooling’s rising profile, we are seeing increased scrutiny by legislatures and the media.
HSLDA’s core mission has always been legal advocacy for homeschool freedom. As new challenges to this freedom emerge, we want to sharpen and strengthen our advocacy: from defending member families whose right to homeschool is being challenged, to supporting favorable legislation, to encouraging research about homeschooling’s benefits, to representing homeschooling to journalists and the media, to building solidarity with homeschoolers around the globe.
Be assured that our legal consulting will continue. This has been our mainstay member benefit since our founding in 1983. It’s even in our name: Home School Legal Defense Association! You can always call or email with your homeschooling-related legal questions, and a member of our legal team will provide personal assistance.
If you have received a grant before and want to reapply, you must still meet the standard eligibility requirements. You must also:
- have submitted receipts documenting how your prior grant money was spent;
- have waited approximately a year since your last application.
Check out our Preparing Your Application checklist for a complete listing of the information and documentation you'll need for your application.
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.
You receive a full year of the member benefits listed below for less than you would pay for an hour of an attorney’s time almost anywhere else!
Member Legal Services
- Personalized answers to all your homeschooling-related legal questions.
- Full representation at every stage of legal proceedings, through letters, phone calls, and even court representation.* (This may involve HSLDA hiring local attorneys at no charge to you.)**
- Access to 24/7 hotline for legal emergencies.
Other Member Services
- 24/7 access to our members-only online resources, including detailed information and printable forms to help you comply with your state’s homeschooling regulations.
- Save money by using specially negotiated discounts with outside vendors for travel, technology, curriculum, and more through our Member Savings program.
- Get discounts on graduation supplies, books, and more at the HSLDA Store.
- Receive a full year of the Home School Court Report, our member magazine packed with homeschooling news, analysis, stories, tips, and encouragement.
Click here to pick your pricing plan and start your membership!
* Consistent with government regulations and ethical standards, we cannot guarantee representation to members in every case or every appeal. Learn more here.
** Please note that member families who choose to consult independently with a non-HSLDA attorney must do so at their own expense.
You can cancel your membership at any time after 12 months.
To cancel your membership, follow these instructions:
- Log in at my.hslda.org.
- Click on “Membership” in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Click “Manage membership” in the membership status box.
- Scroll down and click “Cancel my membership”.
You may also cancel by contacting 540-338-5600 or memberaccounts@hslda.org. Please provide your name and member number (or application ID) so we may expedite your request.
As stated in our membership terms and conditions, we offer a full refund upon request if you cancel your membership within one week of activation (minus any rush fee, if applicable).
Please note: If you pay monthly, your membership benefits will end immediately. If you pay yearly, your membership benefits will continue until the anniversary of your payment date.
Membership dues are $135/year, $14/month, or $1,500 for lifetime membership. One membership covers your entire family: parents/guardians and all children of whom you are the parent or legal guardian. There are no additional charges when you consult with our attorneys—it’s all included!
A special discount is available for military members, first responders, pastors, and missionaries.
To learn more about membership, click here.
HSLDA offers specially negotiated discounts with outside vendors for travel, technology, curriculum, and more through our Member Savings program. Click here to start saving today!
Not a member? Join today and save hundreds of dollars with these offers.
As a member, you receive legal support through:
- Personalized answers to all your homeschooling-related legal questions.
- Full representation at every stage of legal proceedings, through letters, phone calls, and even court representation.* (This may involve HSLDA hiring local attorneys at no charge to you.)**
- Access to 24/7 hotline for legal emergencies and state-specific legal forms.
Learn more about our member legal support.
* Consistent with government regulations and ethical standards, we cannot guarantee representation to members in every case or every appeal. Learn more here.
** Please note that member families who choose to consult independently with a non-HSLDA attorney must do so at their own expense.To reactive your membership, follow these steps:
- Log in at my.hslda.org.
- Click “Membership” in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Click “Restart membership” and select a pricing plan.
- Update your contact and payment information if needed.
Go to hslda.org/email-subscriptions to sign up for and manage your email subscriptions.
To add your membership card to your digital wallet:
- Log in at my.hslda.org.
- Click “Membership” in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Scroll down and click “Add to Digital Wallet.” You will be directed to a new page.
If you have an iPhone, please select “Save to iPhone.” A pop-up display of the card will appear. Select “Add” in the upper right-hand corner. The process is now complete and the card will appear in your digital wallet.
If you have an Android, first download the YourPass wallet to your phone, then select the “Add to Your Wallet” button. On the card preview page, select “Add to Wallet” at the bottom of the screen. The process is now complete and the card will appear in your digital wallet.
Your card can be helpful for receiving teacher discounts at participating museums, historical sites, and retailers.
Your HSLDA account username is the email you used to create the account. You will receive account communications at that address. If you update your account email address, your username will also be updated.
You can update your email address at my.hslda.org by clicking “Profile” in the left-hand navigation menu and then clicking the “Edit profile” button.
You can update your payment information by following these steps:
- Log in at my.hslda.org.
- Click “Membership” in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Click “Edit payment method” under the “Billing details” section.
- Enter your new payment information.
Ready 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.
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.