Homeschool benefits and savings in Salida and Chaffee County
The Salida Recreation Scholarship pays up to $100 per person each quarter toward Camp Friday, swim lessons, leagues, Aquatic Day passes, and drop-in and session programs at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. Chaffee County households qualify with proof of a need-based assistance program such as SNAP, Medicaid, CHP+, WIC, or LIHEAP.
Who qualifies
Lives in Chaffee County
Prove residency with a utility bill, pay stub, bank statement, insurance policy, or a letter on a nonprofit agency's letterhead.
Uses a need-based program
Show participation in a federal or state need-based program, such as free or reduced lunch, SNAP, SSI, SSD, WIC, Section 8 or public housing, Medicaid or CHP+, foster care, LIHEAP, the Medicare Savings Program, or TANF.
Applies before registration closes
Submit at least one week before the program's registration closes. Applications without proof are not considered.
What it is worth
Salida offers up to $100 per individual for each calendar quarter.
- One person, one quarter
- Up to $100
- One person, all four quarters
- Up to $400
- Family of four, one quarter
- Up to $400
- Fourth quarter, Oct. 1-Dec. 31
- Up to $100 each
- Fees paid before approval
- Not covered
Scholarships are not retroactive, so apply and get approved before you pay for a program.
From applying to using it
- Before you apply
Gather two proofs
Have proof of a need-based assistance program and proof of Chaffee County residency ready.
- 1 week before registration closes
Submit the application
Use the online form, email it to Ryan Wiegman, or drop off or mail it to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, at least one week before registration closes.
- Each quarter
Use the new amount
Quarters run January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December, with up to $100 per person in each.
What it pays for
Covered
- Camp Friday
- Swim lessons
- League participation
- Aquatic Day passes
Not covered
- Fees paid before the scholarship is approved
- Applications without proof of assistance
Who to contact
Ryan Wiegman at the Aquatic Center, 410 W. Rainbow Blvd, takes scholarship applications and answers questions about them.
ryan.wiegman@cityofsalida.com 719-539-6738 Online application
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Colorado
Give written notice to a Colorado school district 14 days before starting and each year the program continues. Notice is not required before age 6; instruction need not begin until age 7 or continue after age 16.
Colorado sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide at least 172 days of instruction averaging four instructional contact hours daily, covering reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular instruction in the U.S. Constitution.
- Testing: Academic evaluation in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11: standardized test or evaluation by a qualified person.
- Records: Permanently keep attendance, test or evaluation results, and required immunization records; produce them on 14 days’ written notice when the superintendent has probable cause to believe the program is noncompliant.
- Teachers: Instruction is provided by a parent or legal guardian, or an adult relative designated by the parent; no teaching license is required.
Read the Colorado homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Colorado
Questions parents ask
- Can a homeschool family get the Salida scholarship?
- Yes. You qualify through any government need-based program, not through school. Free or reduced lunch is only one example; SNAP, Medicaid, CHP+, WIC, and LIHEAP also count.
- Can I get money back for a class I already paid for?
- No. Salida does not award scholarships retroactively.
- We live in Buena Vista. Can we apply?
- Yes. The proof of residency asked for is Chaffee County residency, not Salida city limits.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Camps and local activities give your child new interests to explore. Their discoveries can shape the examples and questions they study at home.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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