Unbundled education is reshaping how families think about school. Instead of enrolling in one institution that provides everything, families can now select individual pieces, core academics, enrichment classes, tutoring, therapies, and curriculum, and assemble them into a cohesive, customized education at home.
In South Carolina, the Education Savings Account (ESA) program, known as the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, makes this possible.
With ESA funding, you’re not limited to a single provider or delivery model. You can create a “school at home” experience built from carefully chosen educational components that fit your learner. Whether your child thrives in live online discussions, hands-on science kits, structured math instruction, creative writing workshops, or one-on-one tutoring, ESA funds help you combine those elements into a unified plan.
Unbundled education puts families in the role of designer. ESA funding helps you bring that design to life.
Understanding South Carolina’s ESTF for families schooling at home
South Carolina’s official ESA program, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF), offers over $7,000 annually to help families build an unbundled education experience at home. This scholarship program gives families the flexibility to invest in individual learning resources, like classes, curriculum, tutoring, and educational services, so they can design a personalized school-at-home path that isn’t confined to a one-size-fits-all model.
Rules and regulations for families using the ESTF program to school at home
Here are the specific requirements families choosing to school at home must understand to participate in this program:
1. Enrollment Status: To be eligible for ESTF funds, students must not be enrolled in a public school during the scholarship year. This includes traditional public schools and charter schools. Additionally, students cannot be enrolled under South Carolina’s traditional homeschooling options (Options 1, 2, or 3) as outlined in state law under Sections 59-65-40, 59-65-45, or 59-65-47 of the South Carolina Code.
2. Instructional Requirements: Parents must agree to provide academic instruction in the core subjects: English/language arts (including writing), mathematics, science, and social studies. Instruction can be delivered through various approved education service providers or curricula.
3. Use of Funds: ESTF funds can be used for:
- Tuition and fees for approved education service providers
- Textbooks, curriculum, and instructional materials
- Tutoring services approved by the South Carolina Department of Education
- Computer hardware and technological devices used primarily for educational needs
- Online courses from approved providers
- Fees for standardized tests, AP exams, and college entrance exams
- Educational therapies from licensed practitioners
- Contracted services from public school districts, including individual classes and extracurricular activities
- Transportation fees to and from eligible providers (up to $3,000 per year)
View the ESTF program participant handbook for more specifics.
4. Fund Management
All ESTF funds are managed through ClassWallet, a platform contracted by the South Carolina Department of Education. Parents must use ClassWallet to make purchases and payments to approved providers.
5. Assessment Requirements
Students receiving ESTF funds are required to participate in assessments as referenced in Section 59-8-150 of the South Carolina Code. If the student does not receive full-time instruction from an education service provider, parents must ensure assessments are administered in a similar manner through other means.
6. Annual Agreement
Parents must sign an annual agreement with the South Carolina Department of Education, affirming their commitment to comply with all program requirements, including instructional obligations, assessment participation, agreement not to homeschool under options 1, 2, or 3, and appropriate use of funds.
Choosing an unbundled, school-at-home pathway with ESTF in South Carolina
When families use South Carolina’s ESTF program to educate at home, they are participating in an unbundled education model, but it is important to understand how this differs from traditional homeschooling.
Families receiving ESTF funds cannot register under South Carolina’s homeschool Options 1, 2, or 3. Those pathways operate under separate legal structures and are not compatible with ESA participation.
Instead, ESTF families build a school-at-home experience within the program’s specific framework.
Here’s what that means:
- You are creating a home-based, unbundled education plan rather than enrolling in a single school.
- You are not legally registered as a homeschooler under traditional state homeschool statutes.
- You must provide instruction in English/language arts, math, science, and social studies.
- All educational services and materials must be purchased through ClassWallet from approved vendors.
- You must submit annual documentation of your learner's academic progress. For most students, this is standardized testing. For K5 - 2nd grade students and those with documented disabilities that speak to testing exemption, alternative documentation, such as portfolio work, must be submitted
This structure ensures accountability while still allowing families the flexibility to assemble a personalized education from approved providers.
Designing your unbundled education plan with ESTF
Unbundled education allows you to think differently about how learning happens. Instead of asking, “Which school should we choose?” families can ask, “Which combination of resources will help my child thrive?”
With ESTF funds, you can:
- Pair a structured core curriculum with live online classes
- Add tutoring for targeted support in specific subjects
- Incorporate hands-on kits, enrichment workshops, and creative electives
- Adjust your mix of providers as your learner grows
When building your plan, consider:
- Learning style: Does your learner respond best to discussion-based classes, independent study, visual instruction, or tactile projects?
- Level of structure: Do you want a comprehensive academic backbone with enrichment layered on top, or a modular, mix-and-match approach across subjects?
- Assessment plan: How will you monitor progress—through built-in assessments, standardized testing, project-based work, or outside evaluations?
Reminder: ESTF participation requires following program rules. Families cannot combine ESA funds with traditional homeschool registration or public school enrollment during the same year.
By staying within ESTF guidelines, you can design a cohesive, intentional school-at-home model that reflects your learners’ goals.
How to use and maximize ESA funds for unbundled education at home
ESA funding gives families purchasing power. Thoughtful planning helps ensure those funds create a balanced and sustainable educational experience.
How to get started
Apply through the ClassWallet portal.
Submit your application online with required documentation, including proof of residency, income, and guardianship.
Activate your ClassWallet account after approval.
Once approved, you’ll receive access to the secure platform where all ESTF transactions take place.
Map out your unbundled plan.
Outline core subjects first, then layer in enrichment, tutoring, or supplemental programs that align with your learner’s interests.
Purchase through approved providers.
Use ClassWallet to browse and pay for eligible services, including live online classes such as those offered through Outschool.
Staying organized in an unbundled model
An unbundled, school-at-home approach offers flexibility, but coordination matters.
- Define clear academic and enrichment goals before spending.
- Review the approved expense list carefully.
- Monitor your ClassWallet balance regularly.
- Reevaluate mid-year and adjust your provider mix as needed.
- Connect with other ESTF families to exchange ideas and best practices.
Intentional planning turns separate educational pieces into a cohesive whole.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Building an unbundled education plan at home raises important questions. Here are answers to the questions families commonly ask about South Carolina’s ESA program.
Who is eligible for ESTF funds?
Eligible families include those whose child previously attended public school or is entering kindergarten, provided income guidelines are met for the current school year.
Is unbundled education the same as homeschooling?
No. While both may involve learning at home, ESTF families do not register under South Carolina’s traditional homeschool laws. ESA participation is governed by a separate legal framework with its own requirements.
What kinds of providers can we combine?
Families can select from approved education service providers, curriculum vendors, tutors, online course platforms, therapists, and more—creating a customized combination that fulfills core subject requirements and enrichment goals.
How is spending tracked?
All purchases are made through ClassWallet, which automatically records and tracks transactions. Families can view balances and spending history at any time.
Can ESA funds support specialized learning needs?
Yes. Approved tutoring, licensed therapies, adaptive tools, and specialized instruction may qualify, allowing families to build a plan that reflects their learner’s unique strengths and challenges.
Empowering your unbundled education journey
South Carolina’s ESTF program gives families over $7,000 per eligible learner to intentionally design education.
Unbundled education shifts the model from selecting a single school to assembling a personalized learning ecosystem. Each chosen class, curriculum, or service becomes part of a larger, thoughtfully designed whole.
Explore ESA-eligible classes on Outschool and discover how unbundled education can help you create a flexible, engaging school-at-home experience tailored to your learner.
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