Homeschool benefits and savings in North Port
North Port's youth recreation scholarship pays for two recreation or aquatic programs across the Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall seasons, two weeks of summer camp, or Learn to Swim lessons. Children 17 and under living in North Port qualify if household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, about $49,500 for a family of four, with no school enrollment rule.
Who qualifies
Is 17 or younger
The scholarship is for North Port residents age 17 and under.
Lives in North Port
A parent or guardian provides current proof of North Port residency.
Meets the income limit
Yearly gross household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Swims below Level 3, for lessons
For Learn to Swim, your child must swim below the American Red Cross Level 3 exit skills.
What it is worth
The limit is 150% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, which are $21,640 for two people and rise $5,680 for each added person.
- 2 people
- $32,460
- 3 people
- $40,980
- 4 people
- $49,500
- 5 people
- $58,020
- 6 people
- $66,540
The city does not publish a dollar value for each scholarship, so ask Social Services whether it covers the full program fee for the class you want.
From applying to keeping it
- Any time
Apply online
Fill out the city's online scholarship form. Social Services at 941-429-3700 can help with the application.
- After review
Committee decides
A Scholarship Committee reviews applications confidentially and awards them first come, first served while funding lasts.
- Within 2 weeks of approval
Get notified
Parks and Recreation holds a tentative space and must notify you within two weeks of approval.
- Within 2 weeks of notice
Register your child
Register for the funded program within two weeks of the notice, or the space and funds can go to another child.
What it pays for
Covered
- Recreation programs
- Aquatic programs
- Summer camp weeks
- Learn to Swim instruction
Not covered
- Youth age 18 and older
- Families living outside North Port
- Funds for a cancelled or missed program
Awards depend on available funding, and donations to the North Port Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Program pay for them.
Who to contact
North Port Social Services answers scholarship questions and helps families complete the application.
941-429-3700 Youth scholarships page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Florida
You must file the initial written notice with the county superintendent within 30 days of starting. You must file a termination notice and the annual evaluation within 30 days of ending the program.
Florida sets these rules:
- Subjects: Parent-directed instruction; Florida law does not prescribe a specific curriculum for a home education program.
- Testing: Provide an annual educational evaluation using one statutory method; a portfolio review is one option, and an alternate method requires agreement with the district superintendent.
- Records: Keep a portfolio with an activities log made as instruction occurs, reading-material titles, and work samples. Preserve it for two years and make it available for inspection on 15 days’ written notice.
- Teachers: Florida does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Florida also has two education savings accounts that home-educated students can use.
- The Personalized Education Program funds a Florida K-12 student's approved education costs through a scholarship organization, with income and priority rules. It is separate from registering a home education program with your district.
- The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities funds approved education and disability costs for a student with a qualifying disability, including one in a registered home education program. The award depends on the disability and its services.
Read the Florida homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Florida
Questions parents ask
- Can a homeschooled child get a North Port youth scholarship?
- Yes. The scholarship depends on age, North Port residency, and household income. It has no school enrollment requirement.
- How much is each North Port youth scholarship worth?
- No dollar amount is published. The city describes the award by what it covers: two recreation or aquatic programs, two weeks of summer camp, or eligible Learn to Swim instruction.
- Is there an application deadline?
- No. Scholarships go first come, first served while funding is available, so apply before the program season you want.
- What happens if the program is cancelled or my child cannot attend?
- The scholarship money goes back into the program balance for other children.
- Is our information kept private?
- Yes. The city says a Scholarship Committee reviews applications and handles all information confidentially.
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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