Homeschool benefits: Mountain Line

Mountain Line, Flagstaff's bus system, charges riders ages 7-17 half the adult fare: $0.60 a ride, $1.25 for a day pass, $17 for a 30-day FlagPass, or $24 for a Summer Youth Pass. Eligibility depends only on age, so your homeschooled child qualifies by showing a government-issued ID with age or date of birth, or a Mountain Line Reduced Fare Program photo ID. Other options include college classes and scholarships and recreation and camp discounts.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Benefits in the Mountain Line service area

1. Flagstaff Mountain Line youth fare
2. Coconino County Comet Promise
3. Coconino County Parks program financial assistance

Flagstaff Mountain Line youth fare

Who qualifies

1. Is 7 to 17 years old

   The youth discount is for riders ages 7 through 17.

2. Shows proof of age

   Show the driver a government-issued ID that displays age or date of birth, a current-year school ID, or a Mountain Line Reduced Fare Program photo ID. A school ID is one option, not a requirement.

3. Or carries a Reduced Fare ID

   To get the Mountain Line photo ID, submit the Reduced Fare Program Application with a K-12 school photo ID or a government-issued photo ID as proof of your child's age.

What the youth fare costs

Mountain Line's fare table lists youth fares next to the adult fares of $1.25 a ride, $2.50 a day, and $34 for 30 days.

One-way ride

$0.60

Day pass, unlimited rides

$1.25

FlagPass 30-day pass

$17.00

Summer Youth Pass

$24.00

K-12 Student Pass, one semester

$49.00

K-12 Student Pass, one year

$119.00

Mountain Line does not say what proof the K-12 Student Pass needs, so ask the office whether a homeschooled student can buy one before you pay.

How to ride at the youth fare

1. Before the first ride

   Pick your proof of age

   Bring a government-issued ID that shows your child's age or date of birth, or apply for a Mountain Line Reduced Fare Program photo ID.

2. If you want the photo ID

   Apply by mail, in person, or fax

   Send the Reduced Fare Program Application and proof of age to 216 W Phoenix Ave, Flagstaff, bring it to the customer service desk weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or fax it to 928-779-6868. Mountain Line calls you with the decision and issues the card at its office.

3. Each ride or month

   Buy fares

   Pay exact cash on the bus or use the Transit app; 30-day passes are also sold at the Mountain Line office, Safeway stores, and two Flagstaff libraries.

4. Each June

   Get the summer pass

   The $24 Summer Youth Pass is valid June through mid-August.

5. At expiration

   Reapply for the ID

   The photo ID is valid through the date printed on it, and a replacement for a lost card that has not expired costs $3.

What it includes

Included

• Mountain Line fixed-route bus rides
• Day passes and 30-day passes at half price
• Fare capping in the Transit app

Not included

• Free transfers between buses
• Riders 18 and older at the youth rate

In the Transit app or with a FlagPass Cash card, your child never pays more than $1.25 in a day or $17 in a calendar month at the youth rate.

Who to contact about youth fares

Mountain Line eligibility staff answer questions about reduced fare IDs and the application.

eligibility@mountainline.az.gov 928-679-8911 Fares and passes

Coconino County Comet Promise

Who qualifies

1. Has a Coconino County connection

   Your student graduated from a Coconino County high school or homeschool program, earned a GED while living in the county, or has lived in Coconino County for at least 12 months before the semester begins. Your student can still qualify when the tuition classification shows out-of-county.

2. Files the FAFSA or CCC form

   Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year, or the CCC Alternative Aid Application if your student cannot complete the FAFSA.

3. Meets the income rule

   Household income must be $65,000 or less, and the Pell Grant must be missing or too small to cover tuition. Some students qualify automatically, including former foster youth up to age 26 and students experiencing homelessness.

4. Takes 6 or more credits

   Your student must seek a degree or certificate, enroll in at least 6 credits each semester, and meet CCC's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

What it is worth

CCC's resident rate for standard courses is $129 per credit hour for fall 2026, spring 2027, and summer 2027.

One class (3 credits)

$387

Minimum semester (6 credits)

$774

Full-time semester (12 credits)

$1,548

Semester at 15 credits

$1,935

Four semesters at 12 credits

$6,192

The $3 technology fee and $3 student activity fee per credit hour are separate from tuition, and specialty courses cost $5 to $722 more per credit hour, so ask Financial Aid whether a specialty rate counts as tuition the Promise pays.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before the semester

   Apply to CCC

   Complete the free admission application on CCC's Apply Now page and choose a certificate or degree program.

2. Before the semester

   File for aid

   Complete the FAFSA and your financial aid file, or the Comet Promise form if your parents cannot sign the FAFSA.

3. At registration

   Enroll in 6 or more credits

   Register for at least 6 college credits. Financial Aid and Veterans Services checks eligibility and awards the funds.

4. Each semester

   Watch your CCC email

   Updates on the award go to your student's CCC email, and Financial Aid monitors academic progress.

5. Up to four semesters

   Keep progress up

   Meet SAP standards and keep enrolling in 6 or more credits to use all four semesters.

What it pays for

Covered

• CCC tuition left after other aid
• Up to four semesters
• Part-time study at 6 or more credits

Not covered

• Books
• Housing
• Transportation
• Fees and other charges that are not tuition

Who pays first

1. Pell Grant
2. Other grants and scholarships
3. Comet Promise

Comet Promise is last-dollar aid: Pell, grants, and scholarships apply first, and the Promise pays the CCC tuition that remains.

Awards depend on each year's funding; when eligible students outnumber funds, CCC gives priority to first-generation students or those with significant financial need, students with public service or civic activity, and students from rural or remote parts of the county.

Who to contact

Financial Aid and Veterans Services verifies Comet Promise eligibility, awards the funds, and answers questions, Monday through Friday (Wednesday from 10 a.m.).

finaid@coconino.edu 928-226-4219 Comet Promise page

Coconino County Parks program financial assistance

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Coconino County

   Assistance is offered to residents within Coconino County.

2. Enrolls a child in a program

   The assistance applies to youth enrolling in county recreation programs.

3. Sends the application packet

   Fill in the Program Financial Assistance Guidelines and Application and attach copies of the eligibility documents it lists.

4. Applies while funds last

   Assistance is given based on available funds, which the Friends of Coconino County Parks help provide.

What it is worth

The limits come from Coconino County Parks and Recreation's Program Financial Assistance page.

Most recreation programs

Up to 50% off

Yearly cap per household

$140

Facility rentals

Not eligible

Out-of-area and overnight trips

Not eligible

League registrations

Not eligible

The cap is per household, not per child, so with several children you may reach $140 quickly; ask the coordinator how much of the cap you have used.

From applying to using it

1. Before you register

   Read the guidelines

   Download the Program Financial Assistance Guidelines and Application from the county's Program Financial Assistance page.

2. When you apply

   Send the packet

   Email it to coordinator Joshua Stringham, mail it to 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, or drop it off weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3. After approval

   Enroll your child

   Use the assistance toward an eligible county recreation program, such as a clinic or class.

4. Each year

   Track the cap

   Once your household has received $140 in a year, further programs are full price.

What it pays for

Covered

• Most county recreation programs
• Youth enrolling in programs

Not covered

• Facility rentals
• Out-of-area trips
• Overnight trips
• League registrations

Coconino County Parks and Recreation and the Friends of Coconino County Parks fund the assistance, and limited funds are why each household is capped at $140 a year.

Who to contact

Parks and Recreation staff answer questions and help families fill out the confidential application.

jstringham@coconino.az.gov 928-679-8000 Program Financial Assistance page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Arizona

Within 30 days of starting, file an affidavit of intent and a certified birth certificate or other authorized ID with the county superintendent. The ID rule exempts homeless pupils. Within 30 days, notify the superintendent if you stop or file a new affidavit if you resume.

Arizona sets these rules:

• Subjects: Reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science required.
• Testing: Arizona does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Arizona does not prescribe routine academic portfolios or attendance reports; required identity documentation is filed with the county superintendent.
• Teachers: Arizona does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Arizona also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.

• The Empowerment Scholarship Account pays about 90% of the state funding your child's district or charter school would have received, for curriculum, tutoring, and other approved expenses. Using it is a separate path from homeschooling under state law.
• TheHomeschoolingCompany is an approved vendor for it.

Read the Arizona homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Arizona

Find benefits for your ZIP code