Homeschool benefits: Litchfield Public School District
Litchfield Public Schools (Independent School District 465) reimburses homeschool families for curriculum, testing, and textbooks through Minnesota's nonpublic aid when you return the ED-01650 form by October 1 and bring original receipts. The district page still lists $79.13 per student, while the state's 2026-27 rate is $138.43, so ask the district office which amount it pays.
Who qualifies
Registered with Litchfield
File the Initial Full Report in your first year, or a Letter of Intent to Continue each year after, by October 1 with immunization information for children reaching ages 7 and 12.
Returned the ED-01650 form
Fill out the state Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students (ED-01650) and return it to the School District Office no later than October 1.
Requested by September 15
The state counts only students enrolled in your homeschool and requested in writing by September 15.
Keeps original receipts
The District Office needs original receipts to reimburse you.
What it is worth
The Minnesota Department of Education's 2026-27 rate memo sets $138.43 per pupil for textbooks, standardized tests, and individualized instructional materials.
- One student
- $138.43
- Two students
- $276.86
- Three students
- $415.29
- Four students
- $553.72
- Litchfield's posted rate, one student
- $79.13
Litchfield's page gives an older $79.13 figure and no receipt deadline, so ask the superintendent's office for the 2026-27 amount and the last day to turn in receipts.
From filing to reimbursement
- By October 1
File your reports
Send your Full Report or Letter of Intent and the ED-01650 aid form to the School District Office by mail, fax, or email.
- During the year
Buy and keep receipts
Keep original receipts for curriculum, testing, and textbooks.
- When you claim
Turn in originals
Bring or mail your original receipts to the District Office, 307 E 6th St., Suite 100, Litchfield, MN 55355. Tax is removed from the amount.
- Each year
File again
Return a new ED-01650 form by October 1 every school year.
What it pays for
Covered
- Curriculum
- Testing
- Textbooks
- Health services, by separate request
Not covered
- Sales tax
- Purchases without original receipts
Litchfield's page also lists supplies, but state rules exclude consumable supplies, so ask the district office before you claim them.
Who to contact
The administrative assistant to the superintendent receives homeschool reports and answers questions about reimbursement.
kdollerschell@isd465.org 320-693-2444 Home schools in ISD 465
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
- How much will Litchfield pay back?
- It is unclear. The page lists $79.13 per student, an older figure, while the state set $138.43 per pupil for 2026-27, so confirm Litchfield's amount before you spend.
- Can I email my Litchfield reports?
- Yes. Litchfield accepts reports by mail, fax, or email, and it accepts formats other than the state forms.
- Do I still have to send calendars and report cards?
- No. Homeschools no longer send them to Litchfield, but you must keep class schedules, copies of materials, and test results at home.
- Can we request district health services too?
- Yes. You can send optional paperwork with your reports to request state aid for nonpublic school health services.
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.
Find benefits for your ZIP code