Homeschool benefits: Chisago Lakes School District
Chisago Lakes School District reimburses registered homeschool families for secular textbooks, instructional materials, and standardized tests bought between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, up to the state's 2026-27 rate of $138.43 per student. Your child had to be enrolled as a homeschool student by September 15, 2026, with the aid form received by October 1, 2026.
Who qualifies
Enrolled by September 15
Your child must be enrolled with Chisago Lakes School District as a homeschool family on or before September 15, 2026.
Filed the aid form
The Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students (form ED-01650-38) had to reach the District Office by October 1, 2026. Chisago Lakes does not accept forms or requests after that date.
Is fully registered
Send the Full Report (new families) or Letter of Intent to Continue, immunization records, and testing information. Families missing required information are reported as not compliant to the state in November.
Buys eligible materials
Items must be secular, neutral, and nonideological, meant for your child's individual use, and available to Minnesota public school students.
What it is worth
The Minnesota Department of Education's 2026-27 rate memo, posted on the Chisago Lakes homeschool page, sets $138.43 per pupil for textbooks, standardized tests, and individualized instructional materials.
- One full-time student
- $138.43
- Two full-time students
- $276.86
- Three full-time students
- $415.29
- Four full-time students
- $553.72
- 2025-26 rate, for comparison
- $132.98
The state may adjust the rate around October 15 once it knows the final appropriation and participation, so ask the District Office for the final 2026-27 amount.
From filing to reimbursement
- By September 15
Enroll and request aid
Register your homeschool with Chisago Lakes and sign the request for materials, which the state requires by September 15.
- By October 1
Send the aid form
The Student Report for Aids must be received at the District Office, 29678 Karmel Ave, Chisago City, by October 1.
- July 1 to June 30
Buy and keep receipts
Purchases dated July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 count for this school year.
- By June 30, 2027
Turn in receipts
Receipts must reach the District Office by June 30, 2027 for reimbursement.
- Each fall
File again
Watch for the district's fall letter, then send your Letter of Intent and a new aid form for the next year.
What it pays for
Covered
- Textbooks, workbooks, and e-books
- Manipulatives, flashcards, games, and learning kits
- Instructional software and educational technology
- Band and choral sheet music
- Standardized tests and scoring services
Not covered
- Paper, notebooks, pencils, and other consumable supplies
- Wall maps and wall charts
- Library books and reference materials
- Instructional equipment and teacher aids
- Religious materials
The state program is written as a loan of materials to your child, so items must be designed for your child's individual use in a secular course.
Who to contact
The director of teaching and learning answers questions about homeschool registration and reimbursement for materials and tests.
sschmidt@isd2144.org 651-213-2005 Homeschool 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
Questions parents ask
- We started homeschooling in October. Can we get Chisago Lakes aid this year?
- No. The state does not reimburse requests made after September 15, and Chisago Lakes accepts no aid forms after October 1. Enroll by September 15, 2027 to claim aid for 2027-28.
- Will Chisago Lakes reimburse curriculum from a faith-based publisher?
- Only if the item itself is secular, neutral, and nonideological. Material that could be used for religious instruction is not eligible.
- Do I need a separate curriculum form?
- No. The curriculum instruction form is optional. The required pieces are your registration, immunizations, testing information, and, for reimbursement, the aid form.
- Does the district cover health or counseling services too?
- Yes, through the same state form. You can request district health services and secondary guidance and counseling, which the state funds at $89.75 and $376.69 per pupil for 2026-27, paid to the district.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
TheHomeschoolingCompany offers one subject or a full curriculum. Check the program’s purchasing rules before using funds to pay for a plan.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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