Missouri Homeschool Funding & MOScholars Guide (2026)

Missouri entered the school choice landscape in 2024 with the MOScholars Program, offering homeschool families access to $6,000-$8,000 annually for educational expenses. The program uses a tax-credit scholarship model—slightly different from traditional ESAs—where private donations fund scholarships and donors receive state tax credits in return^[1].

For homeschool families, the practical result is similar to an ESA: funds you can use for curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and other educational expenses. This guide covers how MOScholars works, who qualifies, and what you can expect from this relatively new program.

What Funding Is Available for Missouri Homeschoolers?

Missouri offers the MOScholars Program, a tax-credit scholarship initiative that provides education funding for families choosing alternatives to public schools. The program launched for the 2024-25 school year.

The scholarship amount typically ranges from $6,000 to $8,000 per student, depending on grade level and available funding. Unlike direct state ESA programs, MOScholars is funded through private donations—individuals and businesses donate to scholarship organizations, receiving state tax credits for their contributions.

For families receiving scholarships, this distinction is mostly administrative. You still receive funds to spend on approved educational expenses.

Eligibility Requirements

How the Tax-Credit Scholarship Model Works

Missouri's approach differs from states like Arizona or Florida that directly fund ESAs from public education budgets. Here's how MOScholars operates:

1. Donors Contribute Individuals and businesses donate to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).

2. Donors Receive Tax Credits Missouri provides state tax credits for these donations, effectively making them cost-neutral or even profitable for donors.

3. SGOs Award Scholarships The scholarship organizations distribute funds to qualifying families based on applications and available funding.

4. Families Use Funds You spend scholarship money on approved educational expenses, similar to an ESA.

This model insulates the program from some political challenges faced by direct public funding, but it also means scholarship availability depends on donation volume.

What Can You Spend MOScholars Funds On?

• Curriculum & textbooks — Print, digital, and online educational materials
• Tutoring services — Academic tutoring from qualified providers
• Educational therapy — Speech, occupational, behavioral therapy
• Testing fees — Standardized tests, college entrance exams
• Educational technology — Computers, tablets, educational software
• Private school tuition — Part-time or full-time enrollment

What MOScholars Funds Cannot Cover

Standard restrictions apply to Missouri's scholarship program:

- Athletics and sports — Equipment, league fees, uniforms - Transportation — Gas, vehicle costs, field trip transportation - Parent compensation — You cannot pay yourself to teach - Non-educational items — General supplies without clear educational purpose - Vacations — Even to educational destinations

The scholarship organizations may have additional guidelines about approved vendors and expense categories. Check with your specific SGO for detailed rules.

How to Apply for MOScholars

Key Program Information

Program Considerations

As a newer program, MOScholars has some characteristics worth understanding:

Funding Availability: Since scholarships come from private donations rather than guaranteed state allocations, availability can fluctuate. High donation years mean more scholarships; lean years could mean waitlists.

SGO Variations: Different scholarship organizations may have different processes, expense rules, and timelines. Research your SGO's specific requirements before applying.

Evolving Rules: As a 2024 program, MOScholars is still maturing. Expect some adjustments to procedures and guidelines as the state gains experience.

Political Durability: Tax-credit scholarships are generally more politically stable than direct public funding, as they don't directly "take money from public schools." This may provide some program longevity.

Despite the newness, $6,000-$8,000 is substantial support for homeschool expenses. If you're comfortable with some program uncertainty, MOScholars offers meaningful funding.

Missouri Homeschool Requirements

To participate in MOScholars, you must be legally homeschooling in Missouri. Here's a quick overview of state requirements:

Notification: Offer written notice to your local superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschool.

Instruction Hours: Provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction per year, including 600 hours in core subjects (reading, language arts, math, social studies, science).

Records: Maintain records of subjects taught, activities, student work samples, and evaluations. Keep records for state review if requested.

No Approval Needed: Missouri doesn't require approval to homeschool—you notify, you don't request permission.

These requirements apply regardless of MOScholars participation. The scholarship program adds documentation for expense tracking on top of standard homeschool record-keeping.

The Bottom Line

Missouri's MOScholars Program brings $6,000-$8,000 in annual funding to homeschool families through a tax-credit scholarship model. Universal eligibility means any Missouri homeschooler can apply, though scholarship availability depends on donation-funded pools.

As a newer program, expect some evolution in processes and rules. But the core opportunity is real: meaningful financial support for curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and educational technology.

Start by researching approved Scholarship Granting Organizations at MOEducates or the Missouri Department of Revenue, then submit your application well before the deadline.