Homeschool benefits and savings in West St. Paul
Access to Rec gives qualifying West St. Paul households a $75, $150, or $200 scholarship to spend on city recreation programs and events during the calendar year. Awards depend on household size and income, and any resident household can apply online, including homeschool families.
Who qualifies
Lives in West St. Paul
Access to Rec is for West St. Paul residents, and the application asks for your West St. Paul address.
Meets the income limits
Eligibility and the award amount depend on household size and annual income, using HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) income limits for Dakota County.
Proves address and income
After you apply, staff email a secure link to upload proof such as SNAP or Medical Assistance, income-based Social Security, or your most recent 1040 tax return.
Chooses eligible programs
The scholarship pays for city fee-based programs and events, not for the excluded categories listed on the application.
What the scholarship gives you
The Access to Rec application lists three household award levels set by household size and income.
- Highest award level
- $200 per household
- Middle award level
- $150 per household
- Lowest award level
- $75 per household
- Tax on adult programs
- 8.625%, not covered
- Programs $10 or under
- Not eligible
The city's yearly $1,000 allocation was fully committed by early May 2026, and the council approved using the Parks Scholarship Fund balance for the rest of 2026, so ask whether funds remain before you plan on an award.
How to get a scholarship
- To apply
Fill out the online form
Enter each adult in the household, your address, your annual household income, and the type of proof you will send.
- After you apply
Upload your proof
Use the secure link staff email you to upload proof of address and income.
- After approval
Register for programs
Use the household award on eligible fee-based city programs and events.
- By December 31
Use it this year
Awards cover programs and events in one calendar year, January through December.
What it includes
Included
- West St. Paul fee-based recreation programs
- City recreation events
- Youth programs, which are not taxed
Not included
- Adult athletic leagues
- Contracted programs such as Music Together and Tech Academy
- Pool passes, field trips, facility rentals, adult athletic leagues, contracted programs, and programs costing $10 or less are not scholarship eligible.
- Programs costing $10 or less
- Sales tax on adult programs
About $1,000 a year of levy funds goes to the program, plus any balance in the Parks Scholarship Fund, and awards stop when those resources run out.
Who to contact about Access to Rec
Parks and Recreation runs Access to Rec and answers questions about programs, registration, and scholarships.
recreation@wspmn.gov 651-552-4150 Access to Rec application
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
- Is there Access to Rec money left for 2026?
- Possibly. The yearly allocation was committed by early May 2026, and in May the city council approved drawing on the Parks Scholarship Fund for the rest of 2026, up to what the fund holds.
- Can we use Access to Rec for swim passes or field trips?
- No.
- Does Access to Rec cover sales tax on adult programs?
- No. The 8.625% tax on adult programs is not covered.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Camps and local activities give your child new interests to explore. Their discoveries can shape the examples and questions they study at home.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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