Homeschool benefits and savings in Lincoln

The Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln gives free admission to school groups, including homeschool groups, that book a preregistered educational field trip program for at least 10 students. Other groups pay regular admission of $4 per student and $7 per adult plus tax, and 2026-27 field trip registration has not opened yet. Other options include recreation and camp discounts and transit fare savings.

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

Benefits in Lincoln

1. Nebraska History Museum homeschool field trips
2. Lincoln Parks scholarship
3. Lincoln StarTran low-income pass

Nebraska History Museum homeschool field trips

Who qualifies

1. Is a homeschool group

   Free field trips are for school groups, and the museum names public, private, and homeschool groups.

2. Brings at least 10 students

   Every group needs at least ten students. Each program also has a maximum, from 75 to 100 students.

3. Books a preregistered program

   Only groups in preregistered educational programs get in free. Self-guided groups pay regular admission.

4. Brings enough chaperones

   You need one adult chaperone for every 10 students, and chaperones take part in the activities.

What a visit costs

The Nebraska History Museum's field trip and Homeschool Days pages list these prices.

Preregistered field trip program

Free

Self-guided group, per student

$4 plus tax

Self-guided group, per adult

$7 plus tax

Homeschool Day, per child 5 and up

$4 plus tax

Homeschool Day, per adult

$7 plus tax

Children 4 and under

Free

The museum says many of its field trips are not designed for homeschool students and points families to its monthly Homeschool Days, which are not free.

How to book a field trip

1. Now

   Sign up for notice

   Registration for 2026-27 field trips is closed for now. Fill out the form on the museum field trips page to hear when it opens.

2. At least one week ahead

   Request a program

   Request a field trip on the museum's website. Tours are booked first come, first served.

3. Day of the trip

   Arrive on time

   A group 15 minutes late may get a shorter or different program, and the museum may cancel a group that is later than that.

4. If plans change

   Tell the educators

   Email the education staff to reschedule, or call the front desk to cancel on the day.

What it includes

Included

• Museum admission for the registered group
• Educator-led programs such as Curious Curators and Nebraskans
• Scavenger hunt programs for grades K-6

Not included

• Self-guided visits
• Groups under 10 students
• Homeschool Days events

Programs include Chronologically Nebraska for grades 7-12, Curious Curators for grades 3-6, Exhibit Explorers for grades K-6, and Nebraskans for grades 3-5.

Who to contact about field trips

The museum's educators book field trips, handle rescheduling, and answer questions about Homeschool Days.

HN.MuseumEducation@nebraska.gov 402-471-4782 Museum field trips

Lincoln Parks scholarship

Who qualifies

1. Household income under the limit

   Your gross yearly household income must be at or below 100% of area median income (AMI) for Lincoln and Lancaster County for your household size.

2. Enrolls in youth recreation

   The scholarships help with the fees for Lincoln Parks and Recreation youth programs, which you can find in the online program catalog.

3. Hit a sudden hardship

   A need-based scholarship is for families facing temporary or unexpected circumstances. It is reviewed after a referral from the Center Supervisor at your child's program location.

4. Child care subsidy for some programs

   The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) child care subsidy can cover part or all of the fees for Before School, After School, Kids Day Off, and Summer Day Camp at five centers.

Income limits

Lincoln Parks and Recreation sets the income-based scholarship limits at 100% of area median income for Lincoln and Lancaster County.

2 people

$86,000

3 people

$96,800

4 people

$107,500

5 people

$116,100

6 people

$124,700

8 people

$141,900

The page does not say how much of a program fee the scholarship covers, so ask Parks and Recreation what your child's program would cost after the scholarship.

How to apply

1. Before you apply

   Pick a program

   Look up the program and its regular fee in the Lincoln Parks and Recreation online catalog.

2. When you are ready

   Apply online

   Fill out the 2026 LPR Youth Income-based Scholarship Application linked from the scholarships page.

3. If your situation changes

   Ask for a need-based review

   Talk to the Center Supervisor at the program location, who can refer your family for a need-based scholarship.

4. For child care programs

   Apply for the DHHS subsidy

   Apply through iServe Nebraska if your child attends Before or After School Recreation, Kids Day Off, or Summer Day Camp at Air Park, Belmont, Calvert, Everett, or McPhee.

What it pays for

Covered

• Youth recreation program fees
• Before and After School Recreation at five centers, through the child care subsidy
• Kids Day Off and Summer Day Camp at those centers

Not covered

• Child care subsidy at other locations

The child care subsidy is tied to the location: it applies only at Air Park Community Center, Belmont Recreation Center, Calvert Recreation Center, Everett, and McPhee.

Who to contact

The Parks and Recreation office at 3131 O Street, Suite 300, answers questions about programs and scholarships, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

parks@lincoln.ne.gov 402-441-7847 Scholarships page

Lincoln StarTran low-income pass

Who qualifies

1. Household income under the limit

   StarTran uses 200% of the 2025 federal poverty guidelines: $31,300 for one person, $42,300 for two, and $11,000 more for each added person.

2. Shows photo ID with birth date

   Bring photo identification that shows the rider's date of birth each time you buy the pass.

3. Buys one pass per 31 days

   Each person can buy only one low-income pass in any 31-day period.

4. Brings last month's pass

   After your first purchase, bring the previous month's pass along with the photo ID.

What the pass saves

StarTran's passes and fares page lists these prices for Lincoln buses.

Low Income 31 Consecutive Day Pass

$8.00

Regular 31 Consecutive Day Pass

$17.00

Low Income Paratransit 31 Day Pass

$16.00

Regular cash fare

$1.25

Day Pass

$2.50

20 Ride Pass

$23.00

StarTran's low-income page does not list a minimum age or say whether a child needs a separate photo ID, so ask StarTran before your teen tries to buy a pass alone.

How to get the pass

1. Before you go

   Check your income

   Compare your gross yearly household income with StarTran's table for your household size.

2. At a sales site

   Buy the pass

   Bring photo ID to one of eight sites, such as StarTran at 710 J Street or Community Action Partnership at 210 O Street.

3. For 31 days

   Ride as often as you like

   The pass covers unlimited rides for 31 consecutive days, and transfers are free.

4. Each month

   Buy the next pass

   Return to a sales site with your photo ID and last month's pass.

What it includes

Included

• Unlimited StarTran bus rides for 31 consecutive days
• Free transfers
• A $16 low-income paratransit pass for paratransit riders

Not included

• A second low-income pass in the same 31 days
• Purchase without photo ID

Who to contact about the pass

StarTran's office at 710 J Street sells low-income passes and answers questions about them, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

402-476-1234 Low-income pass page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Nebraska

You must file the annual exempt-school election and assurances with NDE by July 15. For a midyear start, file promptly and begin after NDE receives it. NDE advises waiting for that receipt before withdrawing. Include identity documents in your first filing. Report address and enrollment changes. An active abuse-investigation notice blocks withdrawal and new elections for 14 days after receipt or until further agency notice, whichever comes first.

Nebraska sets these rules:

• Subjects: Provide basic skills in language arts, math, science, social studies, and health, with 1,032 instructional hours annually for K–8 and 1,080 for grades 9–12. Midyear hours may be prorated. Curriculum details are no longer filed with NDE.
• Testing: Nebraska does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: NDE does not require progress reports or a prescribed portfolio. Keep immunization or exemption evidence unless you filed for religious reasons.
• Teachers: No formal education credential is required; assure that instructional monitors are qualified for the five basic subjects. Instructors and monitors cannot have convictions for the felony offenses specified in §79-1601(5)(b).

Read the Nebraska homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Nebraska

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