Idaho homeschool funding: What families need to know

Idaho families who've been searching for the Empowering Parents grant program have been finding a different answer lately: the program has ended. If you're figuring out what this means for your family — or you still have grant funds from a previous year and aren't sure what to do with them — this guide covers exactly that.

We'll walk through what happened, what existing grant holders can still access, and other ways Idaho families can fund a personalized learning plan for their kids.

What happened to Idaho's Empowering Parents program

Idaho's Empowering Parents program was a state-funded grant that gave families money to pay for educational resources outside the traditional public school system. For the families who received grants, it opened the door to tutoring, enrichment classes, music lessons, books, and more — all purchased through ClassWallet, the program's online marketplace.

In 2025, the Idaho Legislature passed Senate Bill 1142, which eliminated the program. No new applications will be accepted for the 2025-26 school year, and no future grant rounds are planned. This was a significant change for the thousands of Idaho families who had come to rely on the annual grant.

For families who hadn't yet received a grant, that path has closed. For families who received grants in 2023, 2024, or 2025, there's still time and money to work with.

If you still have Empowering Parents grant funds

Grant funds don't disappear when the program ends. Idaho law gives recipients three years from the date their grant was issued to spend their ClassWallet balance:

• 2023 grants expire in 2026
• 2024 grants expire in 2027
• 2025 grants expire in 2028

If you're unsure of your exact expiration date, log into your ClassWallet account — it's displayed there.

What you can still buy with your ClassWallet funds

Most purchases go through ClassWallet's Direct Pay feature, which connects Idaho families with 400+ vendors. Eligible goods and services include:

• Tutoring and academic support — including live online classes through Outschool
• Music lessons and instruments
• Driver's education
• Books and educational materials
• Speech therapy
• Swimming lessons
• Laptops and other learning technology

Home internet is the only item eligible for direct reimbursement through ClassWallet. For everything else, browse the Direct Pay section and pay vendors through the platform directly. The Empowering Parents website has a parent guide with screenshots that walks through the process step by step.

Building a learning plan without the grant

Whether your grant has already expired, your family never received one, or you're just planning ahead, you're not out of options. Idaho is one of the more flexible states for homeschooling — you don't need approval from a school district, you set your own curriculum, and there are no mandatory standardized tests. Our homeschooling in Idaho guide covers the legal basics and how to get started if you're new to it.

The bigger question for most families is how to pay for quality learning resources without a grant. Here are a few paths worth knowing.

Federal education savings accounts (Coverdell ESAs)

A Coverdell Education Savings Account is a federal tax-advantaged savings account you can use to pay for K–12 educational expenses, including tutoring, online classes, books, and supplies. Unlike state grant programs, a Coverdell is a savings account you fund yourself — but the money grows tax-free and comes out tax-free when spent on qualifying education expenses. Our guide on what an education savings account is is a solid place to start if you're new to the concept.

529 savings plans

529 plans are better known as college savings tools, but since 2018, families can also use up to $10,000 per year from a 529 for K–12 qualified expenses. Idaho offers its own plan (IDeal), and contributions may be state-tax deductible for Idaho residents. It's not as flexible as a grant, but for families thinking long-term, it can complement whatever else you're doing.

Use ClassWallet funds for Outschool classes — or pay per class without a grant

Outschool is approved and live on ClassWallet, which means Idaho families with remaining Empowering Parents grant funds can use them to book Outschool classes directly. Outschool offers thousands of live, online classes for kids ages 3–18 — from academic tutoring to art, coding, writing, and science. If your kid wants to try something, you can book one class and see what happens.

For families whose grant funds have already expired, or who never received a grant, there's no subscription required and no curriculum to buy. You pay only for the classes your kids actually want to take. Our Idaho graduation requirements guide can help you figure out which subjects to prioritize, especially for teens building toward a diploma.

Browse online classes for kids on Outschool

Homeschool co-ops and community resources

Idaho has a strong network of homeschool co-ops, particularly in the Treasure Valley, Eastern Idaho, and the Panhandle. Many offer group classes, field trips, and social programming at low or no cost. Searching "Idaho homeschool co-op [your county]" will surface active groups in your area. Some public libraries and community colleges also run programs for homeschooled kids — worth checking what your local district offers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for the Idaho Empowering Parents program in 2025-26?
No. Senate Bill 1142, signed into law in 2025, eliminated the program. New applications are not being accepted for the 2025-26 school year or beyond.

Do I have to spend my remaining grant funds by a certain date?
Yes. Funds expire three years from the date they were issued. Log into your ClassWallet account to see your exact expiration date. Grants issued in 2023 expire in 2026, 2024 grants expire in 2027, and 2025 grants expire in 2028.

What can I buy with remaining Idaho ClassWallet funds?
Most eligible purchases are made through the Direct Pay section of ClassWallet, which features 400+ vendors offering tutoring, music classes, books, speech therapy, driver's ed, and more. Home internet is the only item eligible for direct reimbursement.

Are there other state education funding programs in Idaho?
As of 2026, Idaho does not have a replacement program for Empowering Parents. Federal options like Coverdell ESAs and 529 savings plans are available to Idaho families regardless of state-level programs.

Is Outschool available through Idaho ClassWallet?
Yes. Outschool is approved and live on ClassWallet. Idaho families with remaining Empowering Parents grant funds can use them to book Outschool classes through the ClassWallet Direct Pay feature.

For the most up-to-date information on the Idaho Empowering Parents program and ClassWallet, visit the official site at empoweringparents.idaho.gov.