Homeschool benefits and savings in Sacramento

The City of Sacramento's Youth Program Scholarship Fund covers registration and membership fees for eligible city programs, including swim lessons, Summer Oasis day camps, Jr. NBA, and NFL Flag Football, for a full calendar year. Youth ages 0-24 qualify when the household or applicant is enrolled in WIC (the Women, Infants, and Children program), CalFresh, CalWORKs, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or Medi-Cal, and applications for 2027 opened September 16, 2026. Other options include transit fare savings.

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

Sacramento Youth Program Scholarship Fund

Who qualifies

1. Is 24 or younger

   The fund serves youth ages 0-24 and their families with financial need.

2. Is enrolled in a benefit program

   Submit a current Notice of Action Letter showing your household or your child is enrolled in WIC, CalFresh, CalWORKs, TANF, or Medi-Cal.

3. Has an ActiveNet account

   Create or confirm an active City of Sacramento ActiveNet account, which you use to register for programs once approved.

4. Reapplies every year

   Each scholarship covers one calendar year, and eligibility must be established again every year.

What it is worth

The scholarship covers registration and membership fees for the eligible YPCE (Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment) programs the city lists.

Swim lessons, Junior Lifeguard camps, swim teams

Fees covered

Summer Oasis day camps

Fees covered

Jr. NBA, NFL Flag Football, Skate Pass

Fees covered

Kids' Night Out, R.E.C. camp, Teen Scene

Fees covered

Community center Wellness Room membership

Fees covered

Approval does not guarantee a spot, and your child must be approved and registered before the activity begins, so apply well before registration opens for the season you want.

From applying to keeping it

1. From September 16, 2026

   Apply for 2027

   The application for scholarships valid January 1 through December 31, 2027 is open. Apply online or email the application and documents to YPSF@cityofsacramento.org.

2. Within 21 days

   Get your status

   A staff member emails you your household's scholarship status and how to register for eligible programs.

3. On registration day

   Register for programs

   Register through ActiveNet before the activity starts. For 2026, registration opened November 12, 2025 for winter and spring, April 8, 2026 for summer, and July 29, 2026 for fall and winter.

4. Each September

   Reapply

   The 2028 application opens September 16, 2027 for scholarships valid all of 2028.

What it pays for

Covered

• Program registration fees
• Membership fees
• Aquatics, day camps, and youth sports

Not covered

• Programs not on the eligible list
• Activities that start before approval and registration
• Households without WIC, CalFresh, CalWORKs, TANF, or Medi-Cal enrollment

Households that do not qualify for the scholarship can apply for the city's separate Financial Hardship Fee Waiver.

Who to contact

YPSF staff process applications and tell you how to register; call the phone number for help setting up your ActiveNet account.

YPSF@cityofsacramento.org 916-808-6060 YPSF online application

SacRT RydeFreeRT

Who qualifies

1. Is in grades TK-12

   RydeFreeRT is for students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. It does not cover people over 18 who are pursuing a GED.

2. Lives in the service area

   If your child lives or goes to school within the SacRT service area, they qualify. A homeschooled child qualifies through your home address.

3. Carries a valid card

   Your child must show a valid RydeFreeRT card, currently the one valid June 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

What free rides save

SacRT's posted fares for students in grades TK-12 and for basic riders ages 19-61 are what a rider without RydeFreeRT pays.

Student single ride

$1.25

Student daily pass

$3.50

Student monthly pass

$20.00

Basic single ride, ages 19-61

$2.50

Basic monthly pass, ages 19-61

$100.00

With a RydeFreeRT card

Free

SacRT renews the program each year depending on funding, so check for a new card before the current one expires June 30, 2027.

How to get the card

1. Any time of year

   Pick up a card

   Schools hand out cards before summer break, but a homeschooled student can get one any time at the SacRT Customer Service and Sales Center, 1225 R Street, or at a Sacramento County public library.

2. Every ride

   Show the card

   Show the card to the operator when boarding a bus, or when asked for fare on light rail.

3. By June 30, 2027

   Watch for the next card

   The current card expires June 30, 2027. SacRT issues new cards each year when funding renews the program.

What it includes

Included

• SacRT fixed-route buses
• SacRT light rail
• Rides during school breaks and weekends
• Trips for any purpose, not only school

Not included

• People over 18 pursuing a GED
• Youth outside the SacRT service area, except foster or homeless youth

Partner jurisdictions and school districts help fund RydeFreeRT, and SacRT renews it each year depending on funding.

Good to know

• RydeFreeRT works outside school hours

  RydeFreeRT works all day, any day, all year during regular SacRT service hours, including school breaks.

Who to contact about RydeFreeRT

The Customer Service and Sales Center at 1225 R Street, next to the 13th Street light rail station, hands out RydeFreeRT cards and answers fare questions.

916-321-2877 RydeFreeRT page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in California

For the home-based private-school pathway, file the Private School Affidavit during the October 1–15 annual filing period. New schools may use the online filing system during its separate August 1–June 30 opening window. Other legal pathways have their own rules.

California sets these rules:

• Subjects: The private-school pathway must provide instruction in English in the branches of study required for public schools; the parent chooses the materials and course sequence.
• Testing: California does not impose a statewide standardized-testing requirement on private-school students.
• Records: Private schools must keep the records required by California law, including attendance and faculty information.
• Teachers: Private-school instructors must be capable of teaching; California does not issue a separate homeschool-parent credential.

Read the California homeschooling guide See statewide programs in California

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