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Homeschool benefits and savings in Las Vegas Valley and Southern Nevada

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) charges youth ages 6-17 half fare on residential bus routes: $1 a ride, $2.50 for 24 hours, or $32.50 for 30 days, instead of $2, $5, and $65. A homeschooled child qualifies by age with a birth certificate and an RTC Reduced Fare ID card, which you apply for in person. Other options include recreation and camp discounts, college classes and scholarships, and library educator cards and resources.

By , founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed .

Benefits in Las Vegas Valley and Southern Nevada

  1. RTC Southern Nevada reduced fare
  2. Clark County Parks and Recreation financial assistance
  3. College of Southern Nevada Nevada Promise
  4. College of Southern Nevada homeschool dual enrollment
  5. Las Vegas-Clark County Library District homeschool homework centers
  6. Clark County Wetlands Park homeschool self-guided field trips

RTC Southern Nevada reduced fare

Who qualifies

  1. Is 6 to 17 years old

    RTC offers reduced fares to youth ages 6-17 and to K-12 students. Children 5 and under ride free with a responsible person.

  2. Shows proof of age

    Bring a birth certificate, driver's license, or Department of Motor Vehicles photo ID card. Students can instead show a current school student ID card, which a homeschooled child usually does not have.

  3. Has an RTC Reduced Fare ID

    Apply in person at the Bonneville Transit Center or the RTC administration building. Youth and student ID cards are not processed online.

  4. Has a rideRTC account

    Set up an account on the rideRTC web portal or app first, and choose the app or a reloadable tap card when you apply.

What the fare saves

RTC's fares page lists regular and reduced prices for residential routes side by side.

Single ride
$1 ($2)
2-hour pass
$1.50 ($3)
24-hour pass
$2.50 ($5)
7-day pass
$10 ($20)
15-day pass
$17 ($34)
30-day pass
$32.50 ($65)

Strip and All Access routes cost more, with a $2 reduced single ride and a $4 reduced 24-hour pass, and 15-day and 30-day passes start counting the day you buy them.

How to get reduced fares

  1. Before you apply

    Set up rideRTC

    Create a rideRTC account and decide whether your child will ride with the app or a reloadable tap card. You give the account's email address on the application.

  2. In person

    Get the Reduced Fare ID

    Bring your child's birth certificate or ID to the Bonneville Transit Center, 101 E. Bonneville Avenue, or the customer care window at 600 S. Grand Central Parkway, Suite 350, Las Vegas.

  3. After you get the card

    Link it in the app

    In rideRTC, open Profile, then My Discounts, and enter the Reduced Pass ID number from the card to buy reduced passes.

  4. Each ride

    Show and tap

    Show the ID card to the operator, pay, and tap the card on the validator, or scan your phone if the card is linked to the app.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Who to contact about reduced fares

RTC Customer Service answers questions about Reduced Fare ID cards and boarding with them, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

702-228-7433 Reduced fare page

Clark County Parks and Recreation financial assistance

Who qualifies

  1. Lives in Clark County

    An adult, parent, or legal guardian living in Clark County applies, and the assistance covers them and the dependents living in the home.

  2. Shows proof of public aid

    Send current-year proof of eligibility for a listed program, such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, TANF, SSI, Social Security Disability, NV Energy Assistance, or the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

  3. Has a household account

    Create a Clark County Parks and Recreation household account before applying, since approved assistance is applied to that account.

  4. Applies before enrolling

    The application must be approved before your child enrolls in the class or program.

What it is worth

Clark County pays 50% of each eligible program fee, up to $200 per person from January 1 through December 31.

Share of each eligible fee paid
50%
Most per person each year
$200
Yearly fees that reach the cap
$400
Family of four, all covered
Up to $800
Assistance year
Jan. 1-Dec. 31

Household members are generally added only at the next yearly application, unless a person joins through a documented legal placement, so list every child when you apply.

From applying to keeping it

  1. Before you apply

    Open a household account

    Set up your Clark County Parks and Recreation household account online.

  2. From December 1

    Apply for the year

    Submit the application online through Adobe Sign or in person at any Clark County Parks and Recreation center, with current proof of aid.

  3. 14 days before a program

    Wait for approval

    Approved applicants get a welcome email or a call from site staff. The department does not take status calls for online applications.

  4. During the session

    Keep attending

    Missing 25% or more of a session's classes drops your child from the program and forfeits that award.

  5. Each year

    Reapply

    Assistance ends December 31. Submit a new application with up-to-date proof for the next year.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

For Day Camp or Safekey fees, the county directs you to apply through the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services instead.

Assistance depends on available funding, and the county can add or remove programs from the list.

Who to contact

Parks and Recreation staff answer questions about financial assistance applications and eligible programs.

CCParks@ClarkCountyNV.gov 702-455-8200 Financial Assistance Program

College of Southern Nevada Nevada Promise

Who qualifies

  1. Passes an equivalency exam

    CSN says homeschool students must complete the GED, HiSET, or TASC by June 15, 2027, and the equivalency route requires finishing it before age 20. The page lists no homeschool diploma route.

  2. Is a Nevada resident

    Residency follows the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents rules in Title 4, chapter 15 of its handbook.

  3. Has no college degree yet

    Students who already hold an associate or bachelor's degree are not eligible.

  4. Enrolls in 12 credits

    Your student must start in fall 2027 with at least 12 credits in an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or eligible certificate program, unless an appeal for fewer is approved.

What it is worth

CSN charges Nevada residents $136.25 per lower-division credit in registration fees for fall 2026 and spring 2027, and the Promise pays what grants leave unpaid.

One 3-credit class
$408.75
Full-time semester (12 credits)
$1,635
Semester at 15 credits
$2,043.75
One year at 12 credits a semester
$3,270
Three years at 12 credits a semester
$9,810

CSN lists an $11.50 per credit technology fee as a separate line, so ask the Promise office whether the scholarship pays it, and expect rates for fall 2027 to be set later.

From applying to keeping it

  1. By Oct. 31, 2026

    Apply for the Promise

    Submit the Nevada Promise application, open since August 1. CSN asks students not to use a Clark County School District or iCloud email address. Then apply to CSN for fall 2027 as a degree-seeking student.

  2. By March 1, 2027

    Finish the required steps

    Turn in the Mentoring Support Authorization Form, complete CSN's online New Student Orientation, and attend Nevada Promise Training.

  3. By April 1, 2027

    File for financial aid

    Submit the 2027-2028 FAFSA or a Non-FAFSA Filer Declaration.

  4. By May 1, 2027

    Log 8 service hours

    Community service done between May 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027 counts. Mentor assignments go out by the same date.

  5. June 15 to Aug. 1, 2027

    Pass the exam and register

    Complete the GED, HiSET, or TASC by June 15, meet your mentor by July 1, and finalize your fall schedule by August 1.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

Who pays first

  1. Pell Grant and other aid
  2. Nevada Promise Scholarship

It is a last-dollar scholarship: grants such as the Pell Grant apply first, and the Promise pays only the tuition and mandatory fees still owed.

Who to contact

The Nevada Promise office at CSN answers questions about eligibility, deadlines, mentoring, and appeals for fewer than 12 credits.

promise@csn.edu 702-651-7500 Nevada Promise at CSN

College of Southern Nevada homeschool dual enrollment

Who qualifies

  1. Is 16 or older

    Any eligible Nevada high school or homeschool student age 16 or older may apply independently. A younger student needs case-by-case approval through CSN's petition for gifted and talented minors.

  2. Homeschools in Nevada

    Dual enrollment is open to students enrolled in a high school or homeschool program in the State of Nevada. CSN lists no separate requirements for homeschool students.

  3. Holds a 2.5 GPA

    CSN asks for a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and may grant exceptions in consultation with the school district or charter school.

  4. Places into English and math

    English and math courses need ACT or SAT scores from the past two years, or CSN placement results: ALEKS for math and a self-guided survey for English, both taken remotely.

What a class costs

CSN charges dual enrollment students $92 per credit plus an $11.50 technology fee for 2026-27, against $136.25 plus $11.50 per credit at the regular Nevada resident lower-division rate for fall 2026 and spring 2027.

One credit
$103.50
One 3-credit class
$310.50
Same class at the regular rate
$443.25
Two 3-credit classes
$621
30-credit certificate of achievement
$3,105
60-credit associate degree
$6,210

The discounted rate does not apply to summer courses, and some courses add special course fees on top of the per-credit price.

From applying to enrolling

  1. Before you apply

    Line up placement scores

    If your student will take English or math, gather ACT or SAT scores from the past two years. Ordering scores from ACT or SAT can take about four weeks.

  2. To start

    Apply to CSN

    Complete the CSN Admissions Application for High School and Early College Programs. There is no application fee.

  3. 3-5 days later

    Activate the student account

    Your student receives a Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) ID, validates the CSN account with it, and creates a password for GoCSN.

  4. Before registering

    Finish orientation and placement

    Complete the virtual New Student Orientation in GoCSN and submit placement results for English or math.

  5. Each term

    Enroll through MyCSN

    Register for courses taught at a CSN campus, a CSN center, or online, and pay the dual enrollment rate for fall and spring courses.

Where the discount applies

Discounted

Not discounted

The discount replaces the regular per-credit registration fee; the technology fee and any special course fees are still charged.

Who to contact

The Dual Credit Office answers questions about dual enrollment eligibility, applications, and placement for high school and homeschool students.

DualCredit@csn.edu 702-651-3179 Dual credit contacts

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District homeschool homework centers

Who qualifies

  1. Is 3 to 18 years old

    The centers serve students ages 3-18, caregivers, homeschool programs, and tutors working on homework, assignments, projects, and research.

  2. Reserves ahead as a group

    Homeschool groups must reserve the center in advance through the library's online reservation system.

  3. Books one block a day

    Each homeschool group can reserve one time block per day: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

  4. Follows the center guidelines

    Groups that skip a reservation without telling the library, or do not follow center guidelines, can lose reservation privileges.

What the center gives you

The terms come from the library district's Homework Help Centers page, which lists the homeschool time blocks and the printing allowance.

Free printed educational pages
10 per student per day
Reserved blocks per group
1 per day
Homeschool block times
10-12 or 12-2
Days with homeschool blocks
Mon.-Thu.
Participating branches
4

The page does not say whether you need a library card or how many students a group can bring, so ask the branch when you reserve.

How to reserve a visit

  1. Before you go

    Pick a branch

    Choose Centennial Hills, East Las Vegas, Rainbow, or West Las Vegas Library.

  2. In advance

    Reserve a time block

    Book one block for your group through that branch's online reservation page.

  3. At the center

    Use the materials

    Students can use the computers, workbooks, reference books, games, and supplies, and print up to 10 educational pages each.

  4. If plans change

    Cancel with notice

    Tell the library when you cannot come, so your group keeps its reservation privileges.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Who to contact about the centers

The library district's main line and contact form answer questions about Homework Help Centers, and each branch can answer questions about its own center.

702-734-7323 Contact form

Clark County Wetlands Park homeschool self-guided field trips

Who qualifies

  1. Is a homeschool student group

    Self-guided Dragonfly trips are open to homeschool groups, private schools, Clark County School District (CCSD) classes, and other student groups. The page lists no grade range for them.

  2. Brings 60 students or fewer

    The park holds a firm limit of 60 students per day. You can request several dates on one form if your group is larger.

  3. Sends trained chaperones

    One teacher, aide, or chaperone for every 30 students must attend an advance training class. You pick the training date on the same request form.

  4. Books through the online form

    The park does not take field trip reservations by email or phone.

What the trip includes

The terms come from Wetlands Park's 2026-2027 field trip page, which lists the self-guided, virtual, and private tour options side by side.

Self-guided Dragonfly trip
No fee listed
Students per day
60
Trained adults required
1 per 30 students
Virtual field trip for home schools
$25
15-minute video for use at home
No fee
Private group tour
Fee, up to 40 people

The page does not state a price for private tours or a length for the self-guided visit, so ask staff before you plan the rest of the day.

How to book the trip

  1. Before you request

    Gather your group details

    The form asks for grade levels, the number of classes, students per class, and the names, emails, and phone numbers of the adults in charge.

  2. Since Aug. 19, 2026

    Submit the request form

    Requests for the 2026-2027 school year are open through the self-guided field trip form, and you can list several dates on one form.

  3. Nov. 7 or Jan. 9

    Attend chaperone training

    Both remaining sessions run Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Choose one on the request form.

  4. Trip day

    Visit on a Wednesday

    Park staff give your students an introduction, then your chaperones lead them through the Nature Preserve and Exhibit Gallery. Trips are outdoors, weather permitting.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Park staff open the visit, and your own trained chaperones lead the students for the rest of the trip.

Who to contact about field trips

Wetlands Park staff answer questions about field trip requests, chaperone training, and the park's education programs.

wetlands@clarkcountynv.gov 702-455-7522 Field trip request forms

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Nevada

You must file a notice of intent and an educational plan with the resident district superintendent before starting, or within 10 days of formal public-school withdrawal or 30 days of establishing Nevada residency. Refile within 30 days of a parent or child name/address change; no annual renewal is required.

Nevada sets these rules:

Read the Nevada homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Nevada

Questions parents ask

My child is homeschooled and has no student ID. Can they still get RTC reduced fares?
Yes. Youth ages 6-17 qualify by age, and RTC accepts a birth certificate or a Department of Motor Vehicles ID as proof when you apply for the Reduced Fare ID card.
Can a homeschool family apply for Clark County Parks assistance?
Yes. Eligibility depends on living in Clark County and proving you qualified for a listed aid program such as SNAP or Medicaid, not on school enrollment.
Can a homeschool graduate get Nevada Promise at CSN?
Yes, through a high school equivalency exam. CSN's page says homeschool students must complete the GED, HiSET, or TASC by June 15, 2027, before age 20, along with every other Promise step.
My student is 15. Can they start CSN dual enrollment early?
Possibly. Students under 16 need case-by-case approval: you send CSN a parent letter, two letters of support on letterhead, the latest transcript and test scores, and the course list to gifted.minor@csn.edu or the Charleston Campus D Building. Registration stays blocked until the petition is approved or your student turns 16.
Which library branches have a Homework Help Center?
Centennial Hills Library (702-507-6100), East Las Vegas Library (702-507-3500), Rainbow Library (702-507-3710), and West Las Vegas Library (702-507-3980).
Does the self-guided Wetlands Park trip cost anything?
No fee is listed for self-guided Dragonfly trips, though virtual trips cost home schools $25. Ask staff to confirm there is no charge when they confirm your date.

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