Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in Maryland
Children age 12 and under ride MTA Local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway free, including homeschooled children. You can use the age-based fare now without an application, pass or student ID; MARC Train and Commuter Bus only extend free travel through age 6.
Who qualifies
Age controls eligibility
The free core-service fare applies to all children age 12 and under, without a school-enrollment condition.
Choose the right service
The free age limit is lower on MARC Train and Commuter Bus.
From applying to keeping it
- Before each trip
Check age and service
Use the age limit for the MTA service you plan to ride.
- When boarding
Use the free child fare
Children 12 and under do not need a pass, app or student ID on Local Bus, Light Rail or Metro.
- After the age cutoff
Check the next fare
Do not assume the separate school-issued student-fare programs apply to independent homeschool students.
What it pays for
Covered
- Eligible child rides on MTA Local Bus
- Eligible child rides on Light Rail and Metro
- MARC and Commuter Bus rides through age 6
Not covered
- Parent travel reimbursement
- Automatic free MARC travel for ages 7-12
- Curriculum purchases
Who to contact
Use the fare pages to confirm the service and age rule for your trip.
Local help in Maryland
The local programs we have checked across the state cover college and dual credit, transportation, library resources, recreation, grants and scholarships, and testing and assessments. 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 prescribed consent form to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting. District-supervised families verify continuation before each school year and report status changes. A qualifying nonpublic supervisor reports continuing enrollment and status changes to the district.
- Subjects: Provide regular, thorough instruction of sufficient duration in English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and PE. A qualifying nonpublic-supervised program must provide regular, thorough instruction in the usual public-school studies.
- Testing: State standardized testing is voluntary. District-supervised programs have portfolio reviews at semester ends, with no more than three reviews per school year.
- Records: For district supervision, keep instructional materials and work samples demonstrating required instruction; college report cards or transcripts may substitute for those courses. Qualifying nonpublic supervision follows COMAR’s separate requirements.
- Teachers: No state teaching credential required for the parent providing home instruction.
Read the Maryland homeschooling guide
Questions parents ask
- Can a homeschooled child ride MTA free?
- Yes. Core-service eligibility is based on age, not school enrollment.
- Is MARC free for a 10-year-old?
- No. MARC’s free child fare is for age 6 and under.
- Will MTA reimburse our car trips?
- No. This benefit is a transit fare saving.
The coursework alongside this program
Use it 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.