Homeschool benefits and savings in Fairbanks
Riders ages 6 to 18 pay the reduced MACS bus fare in Fairbanks: $0.75 a ride, $2.00 for a day pass, or $20.00 for a month, half the adult price. The fare is based on age, not school enrollment, so a homeschooled child qualifies; children 5 and under ride free. Other options include library educator cards and resources.
Fairbanks North Star Borough MACS youth fare
Who qualifies
Is 6 to 18 years old
The reduced fare covers youth ages 6 to 18. Riders 19 to 59 pay the adult fare.
Rides MACS buses
The fares apply to the Metropolitan Area Commuter System (MACS), the Fairbanks North Star Borough bus service.
What the fare costs
The borough's 2026-27 user fee schedule and MACS fare page list youth and adult prices.
- One ride
- $0.75 ($1.50)
- Day pass
- $2.00 ($3.00)
- Monthly pass
- $20.00 ($40.00)
- Summer pass, 3 months
- $30.00
- Children 5 and under
- Free
Drivers need exact change for cash fares.
How to ride
- Before you ride
Pick a fare
Pay $0.75 in exact change for single rides, or buy a day, monthly, or summer pass if your child rides often.
- In summer
Consider the summer pass
The $30.00 youth summer pass runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- At age 19
Move to adult fare
Riders 19 to 59 pay $1.50 a ride or $40.00 a month.
What it includes
Included
- MACS fixed-route bus rides
- Unlimited rides on a day or monthly pass
- Free rides for children 5 and under
Not included
- Van Tran paratransit at the youth rate
- Riders 19 and older
Who to contact about MACS fares
The borough's main line at 907 Terminal Street takes questions about MACS fares and routes, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library card
Who qualifies
Lives or owns property locally
Bring proof such as a current utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, vehicle registration, voter card, or mail from the last 30 days. A local Alaska ID with your address covers both identity and residency.
Brings photo ID
A Real ID, Alaska driver license or ID card, out-of-state license, US passport, military ID, tribal ID, or school ID all work.
Has a parent present
Children under 18 need a parent or legal guardian's signature, and the parent comes to the library with the child to apply.
What the card gives you
The limits come from the library's loan period and checkout limit table for personal accounts.
- Items out at once
- 75
- Holds at a time
- 10
- Books loan period
- 28 days
- Chromebook
- 1, for 7 days
- Mobile hotspot
- 1, for 7 days
- Replacement card
- $2.00
Electronic equipment, museum passes, and items with a hold are not renewed automatically, so plan to return Chromebooks and hotspots after seven days.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Gather ID and proof
Bring a photo ID and proof of borough residency or property ownership. Without a residency document, ask the library to mail you a postcard.
- At the library
Apply with your child
Visit either library location, fill out the short application, and sign for your child.
- Each checkout
Borrow and renew
Eligible items renew automatically on their due date, up to three times.
What it includes
Included
- Books, audiobooks, and music
- Non-fiction and feature DVDs
- Chromebooks and mobile hotspots
- Video games
- Digital resources
Not included
- Automatic renewal of equipment and museum passes
- A free replacement for a lost card
Who to contact about the card
The circulation desk answers questions about library cards, renewals, and account options.
907-459-1040 Library card page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Alaska
You do not have to file a homeschool notice.
Alaska sets these rules:
- Subjects: Alaska does not require specific subjects or a particular curriculum.
- Testing: Alaska does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Alaska does not require homeschool records.
- Teachers: Alaska does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Alaska homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Alaska
Questions parents ask
- How much does a month of MACS rides cost?
- A youth monthly pass is $20.00 for the calendar month, half the $40.00 adult price.
- Is there a cheaper MACS option for summer?
- Yes. The youth summer pass costs $30.00 and covers Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Can a homeschooled child get a full Fairbanks library card?
- Yes. Any borough resident can get a free card, and your child needs only your signature and your visit.
- Can we borrow a Chromebook or hotspot from the borough library?
- Yes. Each account can borrow one Chromebook and one mobile hotspot at a time, each for seven days.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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