Homeschool benefits and savings in Ames

Ames Parks and Recreation pays half of the registration fee for youth sports, swim lessons, camps, and other listed programs, up to $60 per child each calendar year, for Ames residents ages 4-13 who meet income guidelines. Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) certifies your income and issues the form you bring to registration.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Ames

   Your family lives within Ames city limits, or you are a nonresident who owns a business or property in the city and pays Ames property taxes.

2. Is 4 to 13 years old

   Program scholarships are for youth ages 4 to 13.

3. Meets MICA income guidelines

   Your family income must meet guidelines set by Mid-Iowa Community Action, which certifies eligibility and completes the scholarship form.

What it is worth

The examples apply Ames' 50% scholarship share and $60 yearly cap per child to sample registration fees.

$40 program

$20

$80 program

$40

$120 program

$60

$200 program

$60 (yearly cap)

Seasonal swim pass

50% of the fee

Once a child has used $60 in a calendar year, later registrations that year are at full price, so put the scholarship toward the program that matters most.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you register

   Get certified by MICA

   Contact Mid-Iowa Community Action at 230 SE 16th St., Ames, or 515-956-3333. MICA staff complete the scholarship certification form.

2. At registration

   Pay your half

   Submit your 50% of the registration fee with the MICA certification form to the Ames Community Center.

3. Summer

   Use it for a swim pass

   For a seasonal swimming pass, the head of household pays 50% of the pass fee with the MICA form, and all pass members must live in the same household.

4. Each January

   Recertify

   A new scholarship form must be completed by MICA each calendar year.

What it pays for

Covered

• Basketball, soccer, volleyball, and T-ball
• Dance, gymnastics, and tae kwon do
• Golf and tennis
• Group swim lessons

Not covered

• The family's 50% share
• Assistance above $60 per child each year
• Programs not on the qualifying list

Good to know

• Homeschooled children can apply

  The scholarship depends on Ames residency, age 4 to 13, and family income certified by MICA, and the city lists no school enrollment requirement.

• Apply through MICA first

  MICA staff certify your income and complete the form, and you bring that form with your share of the fee when you register at the Community Center.

• Many youth sports, camps, and swim passes count

  The scholarship covers basketball, dance, golf, gymnastics, soccer, group swim lessons, T-ball, tae kwon do, tennis, youth summer camp, and volleyball, plus seasonal swimming passes.

Who to contact

Mid-Iowa Community Action explains the income guidelines and completes the scholarship certification form.

515-956-3333 Ames scholarship information

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Iowa

You do not have to file a homeschool notice for independent private instruction.

Iowa sets these rules:

• Subjects: IPI must cover mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies at all grade levels. CPI must provide at least 148 days of instruction annually, with attendance on at least 37 days each school quarter; its other rules depend on the option.
• Testing: No standardized testing required for independent option.
• Records: IPI must provide specified instructor, location, authority, and student information on written request; CPI reporting and record rules depend on the option.
• Teachers: Iowa does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Iowa homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Iowa

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