Connecticut Homeschool Funding Options (2026)

Connecticut offers homeschool families something valuable—freedom—but not funding. The state has no ESA, no voucher program, and no education tax credits for home educators. Connecticut's political landscape makes school choice legislation unlikely in the foreseeable future.

The silver lining? Connecticut is one of the least regulated homeschool states in the country. No notification, no testing, no curriculum requirements. You have complete educational freedom—you'll just need to fund it yourself.

What Funding Is Available for Connecticut Homeschoolers?

Connecticut provides zero state funding for homeschool families. No ESA, no voucher, no tax credits, no part-time enrollment provisions. The state's Democratic supermajority in the legislature has not shown interest in school choice legislation.

Your funding options are limited to federal programs and private resources.

Why Connecticut Has No School Choice

Connecticut's political environment strongly favors traditional public education. School choice initiatives—including ESAs and voucher programs—face significant opposition from teachers' unions and education establishment groups that hold considerable influence in Hartford.

Unlike neighboring states that have considered or passed school choice legislation, Connecticut has not seen meaningful movement in this direction. Parents seeking funded alternatives to public school typically look at private schools (self-funded) or consider relocating to states with school choice programs.

Federal and Alternative Funding Options

Connecticut homeschool families rely entirely on federal programs and private resources:

• Coverdell ESA — Save up to $2,000 per year per child. Growth and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Covers curriculum, tutoring, computers, and educational supplies.^[2]
• 529 Plan — Connecticut's CHET 529 offers state tax deductions for contributions. While primarily for college, federal law allows up to $10,000 annually for K-12 private school tuition.
• Connecticut 529 Tax Deduction — Connecticut residents can deduct up to $5,000 ($10,000 for joint filers) in annual 529 contributions from state taxable income.
• Employer education benefits — Some employers offer dependent education assistance. Check your benefits package.
• Curriculum scholarships — Publishers like Sonlight, BJU Press, and others offer need-based scholarships.

The Freedom Trade-Off

Connecticut's lack of funding comes with a significant benefit: minimal regulation. The state requires:

- No notification to any government agency - No curriculum approval - No testing or assessment - No teacher qualifications - No record-keeping requirements (though keeping records is wise)

You simply educate your child according to your own judgment. This freedom is increasingly rare as more states add homeschool oversight. For families who value autonomy above funding, Connecticut delivers.

Connecticut Homeschool Funding at a Glance

Local Resources and Cost-Sharing

Connecticut has an active homeschool community that helps families reduce costs:

Homeschool co-ops: Multiple co-ops throughout Connecticut offer shared classes, reducing the burden on individual families. Members share teaching responsibilities and costs.

Support groups: Local groups often organize group discounts for curriculum, field trips, and activities.

Library programs: Connecticut libraries offer extensive free resources, including curriculum materials, educational databases, and homeschool-specific programming.

Museums and cultural institutions: Many Connecticut museums offer homeschool days with discounted or free admission.

The Bottom Line

Connecticut won't pay you to homeschool—and that's unlikely to change anytime soon. The state's political environment doesn't favor school choice, and homeschool families have little hope for ESA or voucher programs in the near future.

What Connecticut does offer is exceptional freedom. No notification, no testing, no oversight. You're trusted to educate your children as you see fit. Combined with federal Coverdell ESAs and Connecticut's 529 tax deduction, most families find ways to homeschool affordably.

The active Connecticut homeschool community provides support, cost-sharing opportunities, and the camaraderie that makes homeschooling sustainable. Sometimes freedom is worth more than funding.