Can I get paid to homeschool in Utah?
Yes—Utah's Fits All Scholarship provides $4,000-$6,000 annually for homeschool families (varies by age) and up to $8,000 for private school tuition. The program continues to operate despite a pending legal challenge, with funds disbursed through the Odyssey platform.
Key takeaways
- Utah Fits All Scholarship provides $4,000 (ages 5-11) or $6,000 (ages 12-18) annually for homeschoolers[1]
- Private school students receive $8,000 annually; students with disabilities up to $15,000[1]
- Legal Challenge: A judge ruled the program unconstitutional in April 2025, but it continues operating during appeal[2]
- Program funding increased to $120 million for 2026-27 with universal eligibility
Utah's Fits All Scholarship offers homeschool families between $4,000 and $6,000 annually depending on your child's age—substantial funding that can cover curriculum, tutoring, educational therapy, and more[1].
There's an important caveat: a state court ruled the program unconstitutional in April 2025. However, the program continues operating during the appeal process, and participating families continue receiving funds. The legal situation adds uncertainty, but shouldn't prevent you from applying if you're comfortable with some risk.
This guide covers the program's current status, eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and how to navigate the Odyssey spending platform.
What Funding Is Available for Utah Homeschoolers?
Utah offers one primary ESA program available to homeschoolers:
Utah Fits All Scholarship — The state's universal ESA program provides education funding through an Odyssey platform account. Funding amounts vary by student situation[1]:
- Homeschool (ages 5-11): $4,000 annually - Homeschool (ages 12-18): $6,000 annually - Private school tuition: $8,000 annually - Students with disabilities: Up to $15,000 annually
The program launched with $82.5 million in funding and has expanded to $120 million for the 2026-27 school year. Despite the legal challenge, the program remains popular with over 10,000 families participating.
Why Different Amounts for Homeschool? The reduced homeschool funding reflects legislative decisions about overhead costs—private schools have facility and administrative expenses that homeschools typically don't. While some view this as unfair, the $4,000-$6,000 still represents meaningful support.
Eligibility Requirements
- Utah resident
Must reside in Utah at time of application
- K-12 age eligibility
Students ages 5-18 (or equivalent grade level)
- Not enrolled in public school
Cannot attend public school while receiving scholarship funds
- Complete application during open period
Priority given to students leaving public school
How Much Funding Can You Receive?
Funding amounts depend on your educational arrangement and student circumstances[1]:
Standard Homeschool Amounts: - Ages 5-11: $4,000 annually - Ages 12-18: $6,000 annually
Private School: - All grades: $8,000 annually
Students with Disabilities: - Up to $15,000 annually (based on documented needs)
Disbursement Schedule: Funds are deposited into your Odyssey account quarterly: - August: First quarter disbursement - November: Second quarter disbursement - February: Third quarter disbursement - May: Fourth quarter disbursement
Fund Rollover: Unused funds roll over to subsequent years. A family could accumulate savings for larger purchases like specialized equipment or tutoring programs.
Multi-Child Families: Each child receives their own scholarship. A family with two homeschooled children (ages 8 and 14) would receive $4,000 + $6,000 = $10,000 annually.
What Can You Spend Utah Fits All Funds On?
- Curriculum and textbooks — Print materials, digital subscriptions, online course fees
- Tutoring services — From approved educational providers
- Educational therapy — Speech, occupational, behavioral, physical therapy
- Testing fees — Standardized tests, AP exams, SAT/ACT, certifications
- Educational technology — Computers, tablets, educational software
- Private school tuition — Part-time or full-time enrollment
- Extracurricular activities — Music lessons, art classes, educational programs (max 20% of scholarship)
- Physical education — Sports lessons, gym memberships, athletic instruction (max 20%)
- College savings contributions — 529 plan deposits
Spending Caps and Restrictions
Utah Fits All has specific restrictions on certain expense categories[1]:
20% Cap on Extracurriculars and PE: Starting in 2025, no more than 20% of your scholarship can be spent on extracurricular activities or physical education combined. For a $6,000 scholarship, that's a maximum of $1,200 on these categories.
Restricted Expenses: - Athletic equipment and sports fees beyond the 20% cap - Family vacations (even to educational destinations) - Transportation costs - Food and meals - Parent compensation (you cannot pay yourself to teach) - Non-educational entertainment - General-purpose electronics without educational bundling
Approval Process: Purchases outside the Odyssey marketplace may require pre-approval. When in doubt, check with the Odyssey platform before purchasing to avoid reimbursement denials.
How to Apply for Utah Fits All
Key Deadlines for 2026-27
Navigating the Odyssey Platform
Odyssey became Utah Fits All's official spending platform in May 2025, replacing the previous ClassWallet system[3]. Here's how to use it effectively:
Getting Started: - You'll receive login credentials after scholarship approval - The Odyssey marketplace contains pre-approved vendors - Purchases through the marketplace are paid directly from your scholarship
Making Purchases: - Search by vendor name, category, or curriculum type - Many curriculum providers ship directly - Digital content is typically delivered via access codes
Reimbursement Process: For purchases outside the marketplace: 1. Save your receipt with clear item descriptions 2. Submit through the Odyssey reimbursement portal 3. Include educational justification if the item isn't obviously educational 4. Wait for review (typically 2-3 weeks)
Common Issues: - Purchases exceeding category caps (especially the 20% extracurricular limit) - Missing documentation - Items not clearly educational without explanation - Vendors not yet registered in the system
Understanding the Legal Challenge
In April 2025, a Utah judge ruled the Fits All Scholarship unconstitutional, citing concerns about public funds being directed to religious schools[2]. Here's what you need to know:
Current Status: - The state has appealed the ruling - The program continues operating during the appeal - Enrolled families continue receiving funds - New applications are being accepted
What Could Happen: - If upheld on appeal: The program could be shut down. Families would need to return to self-funding their homeschool. - If overturned: The program continues unchanged. - If modified: The legislature might restructure the program to address constitutional concerns.
What This Means for You: If you're risk-averse, understand that participating during litigation carries uncertainty. However, many families have decided the current funding is worth the risk of potential program changes.
The Utah State Legislature has shown strong support for school choice, and even if this particular program faces challenges, alternative funding mechanisms could emerge.
Utah Fits All Funding by Student Type
Important Considerations Before Accepting Funds
Beyond the legal uncertainty, Utah Fits All has several trade-offs worth considering:
Spending Oversight: Your purchases are tracked by the state and subject to audit. Some families prefer complete financial privacy in their homeschool choices.
Category Caps: The 20% limit on extracurriculars and PE may frustrate families who prioritize sports or arts. If your homeschool is heavily activity-based, the restriction could be limiting.
Program Evolution: Rules have already changed (the 20% cap was added in 2025, the platform switched from ClassWallet to Odyssey). Future changes are likely, and flexibility to adapt is required.
Age-Based Funding: Younger students receive less funding ($4,000 vs $6,000). Families with elementary-age children get less benefit than those with teenagers.
For most families, $4,000-$6,000 annually still represents meaningful support. But enter with realistic expectations about the program's requirements and current legal situation.
The Bottom Line
Utah's Fits All Scholarship offers homeschool families genuine financial support—$4,000 to $6,000 annually for curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and educational resources. Despite the pending legal challenge, the program continues operating and accepting new applications.
If you're comfortable with some uncertainty about the program's future, the current funding is substantial and worth pursuing. If you prefer stability, you might wait until the legal situation resolves—though that could take a year or more.
Applications for 2026-27 open in early 2026. Start by visiting schools.utah.gov/utahfitsallscholarship to create your account and monitor updates on both the application process and legal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Utah Homeschool Requirements
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