Homeschool benefits: Bemidji Public School District

Bemidji Area Schools offered up to $138.43 per eligible homeschool student for approved instructional-material purchases in 2026-27. Its purchase window and reimbursement filing deadline both ended October 1, 2026, and the district explicitly rejects purchases or documentation outside those limits.

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

Who qualifies

1. Registers a district homeschool

   Your homeschool must operate within the district and file the required registration or continuation documentation. Students in online or virtual schools cannot enroll as homeschool students or receive this reimbursement.

2. Enrolled by September 15, 2026

   The student must have been enrolled in the homeschool on or before that date to qualify for the 2026-27 aid program.

3. Bought materials within the window

   Only eligible purchases from July 1 through October 1, 2026 qualify. Materials must be secular, neutral, nonideological, designed primarily for individual use, and available to benefit Minnesota public-school pupils.

4. Submitted both forms by October 1

   File the Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students and the Homeschool Instructional Materials Reimbursement Request with purchase documents or receipts. Late documents are ineligible.

What it is worth

Bemidji's current page reimburses eligible receipt amounts up to its published 2026-27 $138.43 per-pupil rate.

$50 in eligible purchases

$50

$100 in eligible purchases

$100

$138.43 in eligible purchases

$138.43

$200 in eligible purchases

$138.43 cap

From applying to keeping it

1. On or before September 15, 2026

   Establish eligible enrollment

   The student must be enrolled in your homeschool by this date.

2. July 1-October 1, 2026

   Make eligible purchases

   Keep corresponding purchase documentation and receipts for the instructional-material items.

3. By October 1, 2026

   Submit aid and reimbursement forms

   Send both required forms and purchase evidence to the Registration Office. The deadline has passed.

4. After October 1, 2026

   Do not assume late eligibility

   The district says out-of-window purchases and late forms or documents do not qualify for this cycle.

What it pays for

Covered

• Eligible textbooks
• Standardized tests
• Individualized instructional materials
• Eligible software and educational technology

Not covered

• Out-of-window purchases
• Late forms and documentation
• General classroom supplies
• Wall charts and reference materials
• Online-school student reimbursement

Who to contact

The Registration Office accepts homeschool forms and answers questions about aid eligibility.

registrar@isd31.net 218-333-3100 Homeschool aid information

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Minnesota

You must file the initial report by October 1 of the first instructional year after the child turns seven, or after establishing a new resident district. You must file within 15 days of withdrawing a child seven or older from public school, or of moving out of a district. You must file annual continuation letters by October 1 for the required ages.

Minnesota sets these rules:

• Subjects: Teach reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, and PE. Instruction and materials are in English unless the statutory language-program exception applies.
• Testing: Annual nationally normed achievement test for ages 7–16, plus certain 16–17-year-olds first reported after age 16. Agree on the test, administration, and location with the superintendent. State-recognized accredited instruction is exempt.
• Records: Unless the accreditation exemption applies, keep schedules, materials, assessment methods, and proof of testing. Keep immunization or exemption records for five years after adulthood. File immunization statements by October 1 of the first homeschool year and grade 7.
• Teachers: A parent may teach without a degree if the assessment requirements are met. Other instructors need a qualifying license, licensed supervision, bachelor’s degree, or recognized accredited-school route.

Read the Minnesota homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Minnesota

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