Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in Washington
Washington College Bound can cover public-college tuition or equivalent aid, with 2026-27 combined College Bound and Washington College Grant maximums of $13,703 at UW or $5,595 at community colleges. Homeschool families must contact the program in grades 7, 8, or newly income-eligible grade 9; it is not a late college-senior signup.
Who qualifies
Sign up in the eligible grades
Contact College Bound if homeschooled in grade 7 or 8, or newly income-eligible in grade 9.
Meet the signup income rule
The 2026-27 signup table uses $61,050 gross annual income for a family of four; the college income limit for the same family is $90,500.
Graduate and submit records
Send a homeschool transcript with graduation date and final GPA for verification.
Meet college requirements
Attend within one year of graduation, meet residency and income rules, and file FAFSA or WASFA annually.
Meet the grade standard when needed
A 2.0 high-school GPA applies to direct four-year-college entry; community and technical colleges have no College Bound high-school GPA requirement.
What it is worth
WSAC labels these as College Bound combined with Washington College Grant for three quarters or two semesters.
- University of Washington
- $13,703
- Washington State University
- $13,200
- Public community and technical college
- $5,595
These are maximums, not a separate College Bound award added on top of a full WA Grant.
From applying to keeping it
- During eligible middle-school grades in 2026-27
Contact College Bound
Homeschool families request signup rather than relying on public-school auto-enrollment.
- During senior year
File financial aid
Use FAFSA or WASFA for the college year.
- After homeschool graduation
Send verification
Provide the transcript showing graduation and final GPA.
- Within one year of graduation
Begin college
Meet the first enrollment deadline and choose a participating Washington college to receive funds.
- Each college year
Renew financial aid
Income and award eligibility are reviewed annually; 2027-28 FAFSA and WASFA are open.
What it pays for
Covered
- Eligible college tuition support
- Program-covered fees and book support
Not covered
- K-12 curriculum payments
- Late signup outside the permitted grade window
Who to contact
Contact the program directly for homeschool signup and graduation verification.
collegebound@wsac.wa.gov 888-535-0747, option 1 Read College Bound homeschool steps
Local help in Washington
The local programs we have checked across the state cover grants and scholarships, recreation, transportation, college and dual credit, school services, other services, and library resources. Each local program sets its own rules for who qualifies. Search your ZIP code to see the ones that serve your address.
The state's homeschool rules
You must file a declaration of intent by September 15 for the school year, or within two weeks after the start of a public-school quarter or term for a later start.
- Subjects: Teach occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and art and music appreciation. Provide hours equivalent to the annual program hours per grade for approved private schools under RCW 28A.195.010 and .040.
- Testing: Each year, obtain a state-board-approved standardized test administered by a qualified person or a written assessment by a Washington-certificated person currently working in education.
- Records: Keep annual test or assessment results permanently, along with immunization records. Forward required records if your child transfers to a public or approved private school.
- Teachers: The parent needs 45 college quarter credits or the semester equivalent, a home-instruction course at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institute, supervision by a certificated teacher, or the superintendent’s finding of sufficient qualifications. Teacher supervision includes planned objectives, an average of at least one contact hour per week with the child each month, and progress evaluation; the teacher may supervise no more than 30 children.
Read the Washington homeschooling guide
Questions parents ask
- Can a senior join College Bound for the first time?
- Not through the ordinary homeschool signup window. Ask WSAC to check an existing enrollment or any applicable exception.
- Are the dollar amounts just College Bound?
- No. The published 2026-27 maximums combine College Bound with Washington College Grant and assume the stated full-year enrollment.
- Does homeschool graduation need extra paperwork?
- Yes. WSAC does not automatically receive homeschool graduation information; send the required transcript for verification.
- Do we file FAFSA or WASFA every year?
- Yes. Annual financial-aid applications and income checks determine college funding.
- Is a 2.0 homeschool GPA always needed?
- No. The high-school 2.0 requirement applies to direct four-year-college entry, not community or technical college attendance.
The coursework alongside this program
Use it where your child qualifies. We teach the courses and grade the work, starting at your child’s level.
$149/month per child after the trial.