Wyoming Homeschool Funding & ESA Guide (2026)

Wyoming came tantalizingly close to offering universal school choice. The Steamboat Legacy Scholarship, passed in 2025, would have provided $7,000 annually to all K-12 students—including homeschoolers. Then came the lawsuit.

The Wyoming Education Association filed suit in June 2025, and the program has been frozen ever since. The Wyoming Supreme Court denied a stay in October 2025, meaning the program can't launch while litigation continues^[1]. For Wyoming families hoping to access these funds, the waiting game continues.

What Was the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship?

Before the lawsuit, here's what Wyoming families were expecting:

Program Structure: Universal ESA providing $7,000 per student annually, funded by a $30 million appropriation. The program would have covered private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, educational technology, and testing fees.

Homeschool Eligibility: Yes—homeschool families would have qualified, though with one key requirement: annual standardized testing. This was more oversight than Wyoming's traditional homeschool regulations require.

HB 199 Expansion: The 2025 legislature expanded the original program to universal eligibility and increased the award to $7,000, up from the original proposal.

Why Is the Program Blocked?

The Wyoming Education Association (WEA) filed a constitutional challenge in June 2025, arguing the program violates Wyoming's constitution. The specific legal arguments involve Wyoming's education funding provisions and uniformity requirements.

In October 2025, the Wyoming Supreme Court denied a request to stay the lower court injunction, meaning the program remains blocked while the case proceeds through the courts^[1]. This isn't a final ruling on the program's constitutionality—just a decision that the program can't operate during litigation.

Timeline uncertainty: Constitutional challenges can take months or years to fully resolve. The program may eventually launch, be modified, or be permanently struck down depending on court rulings.

What Would Homeschoolers Have Needed to Do?

If the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship launches (or when it launches), homeschool families would need to meet specific requirements:

Annual testing: Unlike Wyoming's traditional homeschool freedom, ESA participants would need annual standardized testing. This is a significant oversight increase for families accustomed to no state testing requirements.

Approved expenses: Funds could only be spent on qualifying educational expenses—curriculum, tutoring, testing fees, educational technology, and related costs.

Reporting: The program would require documentation of how funds were used, similar to ESA programs in other states.

Whether these trade-offs are worthwhile depends on your family's priorities. $7,000 annually is substantial, but so is Wyoming's traditionally hands-off approach to homeschooling.

Current Funding Alternatives

While the state program remains frozen, Wyoming families have several federal options:

• Coverdell ESA — Save up to $2,000 per year per child in a tax-advantaged account. Qualified withdrawals for curriculum, tutoring, computers, and educational supplies are tax-free. No state restrictions.^[2]
• 529 Plan — Wyoming doesn't have its own 529 plan (one of few states without one), but you can use any state's plan. Federal law allows up to $10,000 annually for K-12 private school tuition.
• Local homeschool co-ops — Wyoming has active homeschool communities that share costs for group classes, field trips, and specialized instruction.
• Curriculum scholarships — Publishers like Sonlight, BJU Press, and others offer need-based scholarships for homeschool curriculum.

Wyoming Homeschool Funding Status

What Happens Next?

The lawsuit's outcome will determine whether Wyoming families can access the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship:

If the program survives: Applications would open, and families could begin accessing $7,000 annually for educational expenses. The testing requirement would take effect.

If struck down: The legislature might attempt a revised program designed to satisfy constitutional requirements, though success isn't guaranteed.

If modified: Courts sometimes allow programs to proceed with modifications. The final structure could differ from the original design.

For now, the best approach is to plan around currently available options while monitoring legal developments. Organizations like HSLDA and Homeschoolers of Wyoming track these developments and can provide updates as the case progresses.

Wyoming Homeschool Regulations (Current)

Wyoming remains one of the most homeschool-friendly states regardless of ESA status. Current requirements are minimal:

- Submit curriculum to your local school board (not for approval, just notification) - No testing requirements - No required subjects (though a "basic academic educational program" is expected) - No teacher qualifications

This freedom is valuable. If the ESA launches with testing requirements, families will need to weigh $7,000 in funding against increased oversight. Some may prefer maintaining their current freedom.

The Bottom Line

Wyoming's Steamboat Legacy Scholarship offered real promise: $7,000 annually for homeschool families in a state known for educational freedom. The legal challenge has put those plans on hold indefinitely.

For now, Wyoming homeschoolers should work with federal options like Coverdell ESAs while monitoring the lawsuit's progress. The program may eventually launch, be modified, or be struck down—nobody can predict with certainty.

What's certain: Wyoming's minimal homeschool regulations make it an excellent state for home education regardless of funding status. The resources you need are available, and the state's supportive homeschool community can help fill gaps while we wait to see what the courts decide.