Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in Maine
3 statewide programs in Maine offer education services or help with specific costs. Eligibility and deadlines differ; check the program for your child's age and enrollment route.
Maine Aspirations early college
Registered Maine home-instruction students can receive subsidized college tuition through Aspirations, with an 18-credit lifetime limit starting with the class of 2027. For 2026-27, apply through ExplorEC or OnCourse before your college’s deadline; eligibility is counted by application timestamp.
Eligibility and program rules
Maine home instruction
Your student must live in Maine and meet the state’s home-instruction requirements.
Secondary instruction
Your student must have reached at least the first semester of secondary instruction.
Eligible college coursework
Courses must be credit-bearing and transcribed by the college. Meet prerequisites and obtain required approvals.
Can we apply for spring 2027?
Possibly. Apply by the chosen college’s course deadline and confirm available credits and seats.
Are books and transportation covered?
No. Aspirations does not cover books, materials, additional student fees or transportation.
What happens after 18 credits?
You pay. The college informs your family before registration when you exceed the applicable lifetime cap.
What it is worth
These caps apply starting with the class of 2027.
- Standard Aspirations route
- 18 credits
- Approved MCCS CTE pathway
- 24 credits
There is no fixed dollar award; tuition support depends on the enrolled courses.
From applying to keeping it
- Before your 2026-27 college deadline
Apply in the portal
Process enrollment through ExplorEC or OnCourse.
- Before registration
Check remaining credits
From the class of 2027, the lifetime cap is 18 credits, plus 6 approved CTE pathway credits at MCCS.
- Each semester
Stay within course limits
Fall and spring allow three courses each; summer allows two that do not meet in the same shortened session.
- When changing enrollment
Use the portal
Drops, withdrawals and roster changes must go through the same portal.
What it pays for
Covered
- Eligible college-course tuition
Not covered
- Books and materials
- Additional student fees
- Transportation
- Audited or remedial courses
Who to contact
Ask your campus about courses, portal enrollment and remaining eligibility.
207-624-6600 Program information
Maine homeschool public-school participation
Maine home-instruction students can request public-school classes, activities, available textbooks and approved facility use, without receiving a cash grant. For 2026-27, make the required written requests to your local school; approval cannot be unreasonably withheld for the participation routes specified in law.
Eligibility and program rules
Eligible local student
Your child must meet Maine’s home-instruction rules and otherwise qualify to attend the school unit.
Shared school standards
Your child must meet applicable academic, attendance, conduct and activity eligibility requirements.
Must we provide transportation?
Yes, for classes, unless an existing school route can take your child at no extra cost. Activities follow the school's activity transportation policy.
Can my child borrow textbooks?
Yes, subject to availability, for up to one year.
Can a school refuse all participation automatically?
No. Class, audit and co-curricular approval may not be unreasonably withheld; applicable eligibility rules still apply.
From applying to keeping it
- Before a 2026-27 class
Apply in writing
Request written approval from the superintendent or designee.
- Before an activity
Follow its request process
Apply to the principal for co-curricular activities; meet tryout and eligibility rules for extracurricular activities.
- During participation
Meet school requirements
Complete required classwork and arrange transport unless existing school transport adds no expense.
- Within one year of borrowing
Return textbooks
Reimburse the unit for lost, damaged or unreturned books and consumable supplies.
What it pays for
Covered
- Selected public-school classes
- Activity participation and tryouts
- Available textbooks and library books
- Approved facility use
- Applicable special-education services
Not covered
- A parent cash subsidy
- Automatic additional class transportation
Who to contact
Send class requests to the superintendent and activity requests to the school principal.
Maine conditional tuition authorization for home-education students
If your resident school unit does not teach your child’s grade, you can request permission for classes or activities in another unit, including CTE. There is no statewide award: local policy decides whether you or the resident unit pays, so obtain that decision before enrolling for 2026-27.
Eligibility and program rules
Missing grade instruction
Your local public school unit must not provide academic instruction for the relevant grade.
Equivalent instruction
Your child must be in an approved equivalent-instruction program.
Receiving-school rules
Meet the receiving school’s co-curricular and extracurricular eligibility requirements.
Is there a fixed scholarship amount?
No. The statute does not set an individual award.
Can we apply directly to any school?
No. First request authorization from your resident unit to apply to the other unit.
Can my child play interscholastic sports at two receiving units?
No. A tuitioned homeschool student taking classes in more than one receiving unit is ineligible for interscholastic activities at any unit.
From applying to keeping it
- Before applying for 2026-27
Request authorization
Ask your resident school unit for permission to apply to another unit.
- Before accepting a place
Resolve tuition
Get the local policy decision identifying who is responsible for tuition.
- During attendance
Follow receiving-school rules
Meet its participation requirements. Classes at multiple receiving units prevent interscholastic participation.
What it pays for
Covered
- Authorized classes in another school unit
- Authorized career and technical education
- Eligible activities
Not covered
- Guaranteed district-paid tuition
- A statewide cash stipend
Who to contact
Ask for authorization and the local tuition-payment policy.
Local help in Maine
The local programs we have checked across the state cover college and dual credit, school services, library resources, recreation, grants and scholarships, transportation, and other services. Each local program sets its own rules for who qualifies. Search your ZIP code to see the ones that serve your address.
The state's homeschool rules
You must submit the initial notice to the resident school unit and education commissioner within 10 calendar days of starting. You must submit annual continuation notice and assessment by September 1. Maine’s online portal serves both recipients; paper notices go to the resident superintendent for forwarding.
- Subjects: At least 175 instructional days annually covering English/language arts, math, science, social studies, PE, health, library skills, and fine arts. Include Maine studies in one grade from 6–12 and demonstrate computer proficiency in one grade from 7–12.
- Testing: Annual assessment required, with a test or an accepted progress review; submit the result with the September 1 continuation notice.
- Records: Retain copies of filed notices and annual assessments until the home instruction program ends; make them available to the commissioner on request.
- Teachers: No state teaching credential required for the home instructor. Some assessment-review options require a Maine-certified teacher or administrator.
Read the Maine homeschooling guide
Questions parents ask
- Can a registered homeschool student qualify for Aspirations?
- Yes. Maine expressly includes home-instruction students who meet its legal requirements.
- Is Aspirations money paid to our family?
- No. The subsidy supports eligible college coursework, rather than a parent cash award.
- Does taking public-school classes end our homeschool status?
- No. Section 5021 is written for students receiving home instruction, so your child stays homeschooled while taking part.
- Will completed public-school classes earn credit for a home-instruction student?
- Yes. Your child receives credit when they meet the same academic standards as other students.
- Can a homeschooled student use a conditional tuition authorization?
- Yes. Section 5023 covers approved equivalent instruction when the resident unit lacks grade-level instruction.
- Must the resident unit pay under a conditional tuition authorization?
- Not necessarily. Local policy can assign tuition to the student, parent or resident unit.
The coursework alongside these programs
Use them where your child qualifies. We teach the courses and grade the work, starting at your child’s level.
$149/month per child after the trial.