Homeschool benefits and savings in Meridian

Meridian Parks and Recreation's Care Enough To Share program pays up to 80% of an activity or membership fee, capped at $250 per child each year in 2026. Children up to age 18 who live within Meridian city limits qualify, homeschooled or not, if the family receives free or reduced lunch, food stamps, Medicaid, energy assistance, or similar aid.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Meridian city limits

   Your home address must be inside Meridian city limits, and your proof of need must show that address.

2. Receives public assistance

   Check at least one: free or reduced school lunch, food stamps, Medicaid, energy assistance, or other aid such as Social Security, disability, cash, or housing assistance.

3. Sends current proof of need

   The document must name each registrant, show your address, and be dated in the current calendar year. For Medicaid, send every page of the benefit award letter from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, not the ID card.

4. Applies once a calendar year

   Submit the application at least once per calendar year, and keep your documentation current to keep receiving assistance.

What it is worth

In 2026, Meridian covers up to 80% of each fee, with a maximum of $250 per child for the year.

$50 class

Up to $40

$100 class

Up to $80

$200 membership

Up to $160

$312.50 or more in fees

$250 cap

Three children, full year

Up to $750

You pay the remaining 20% or more plus tax when you register, and your child's spot is not held until that payment is made.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Get your proof of need

   Find a current-year benefit letter that lists your children's names and your Meridian address.

2. Two weeks before the program

   Apply online

   Submit the application with your documents at least two weeks before the program starts, or two weeks before the Activity Guide is released, whichever comes first.

3. After approval

   Register and pay your share

   Sign up online, by phone, or in person, and pay the remaining fee and tax at registration. Assistance applies only to new registrations made after approval.

4. During the year

   Add activities early

   Requests for activities, memberships, or sessions not on your application have the same two-week deadline.

5. Each January

   Apply again

   The $250 limit resets each calendar year, so send a new application with current documents.

What it pays for

Covered

• Meridian Parks and Recreation activity fees
• Membership fees

Not covered

• The remaining 20% of each fee
• Sales tax
• Registrations made before approval
• Families outside Meridian city limits

Good to know

• Homeschooled children can get assistance

  The program asks for your child's age, your Meridian address, and proof of public assistance. It has no school enrollment requirement.

• Assistance does not cover past payments

  Assistance is not retroactive. It applies only to new activity or membership registrations made after you are approved.

Who to contact

Meridian Parks and Recreation answers questions about the Care Enough To Share application and accepts large document files by email.

recreation@meridiancity.org 208-888-3579 Online application

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Idaho

You do not have to file a homeschool notice.

Idaho sets these rules:

• Subjects: Homeschool parents in Idaho must provide instruction in subjects commonly taught in public schools.
• Testing: Idaho does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Idaho does not require homeschool records.
• Teachers: Idaho does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Idaho homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Idaho

Find benefits for your ZIP code