Homeschool benefits and savings in Bellingham
The Bellingham Parks fee waiver gives each qualifying household member $200 a calendar year toward Parks & Recreation and Arne Hanna Aquatic Center programs. Bellingham residents qualify through income under 185% of the federal poverty level or benefits such as SNAP, TANF, or SSI, so a homeschool family does not need a school lunch letter.
Who qualifies
Lives in Bellingham city limits
Provide proof of a physical address within the city; PO boxes are not accepted. Unhoused applicants can apply and should contact the department for help.
Meets one eligibility criterion
Qualifying routes are household income under 185% of the federal poverty level, free or reduced school lunch, SNAP or Basic Food, TANF, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), foster care, or DSHS respite care.
Has recent proof
Documents must be dated within the last six months. For the income route, send your last three earnings statements, or a recent W-2 or caseworker letter instead.
What the fee waiver is worth
Each approved household member receives up to $200 for the calendar year, January through December.
- One person
- $200
- Two people
- $400
- Three people
- $600
- Four people
- $800
- Unused balance after December 31
- Expires
Not every program accepts the waiver: ineligible programs are marked in the class description or at registration, and funds cannot be applied to past charges.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Gather documents
Collect proof of your Bellingham address and one eligibility document dated within the last six months.
- Any time, or from November 1
Return the form
Submit the 2026 Fee Scholarship Eligibility Form to the Admin Office at 2221 Pacific St or the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center at 1114 Potter Street. Applications for the next calendar year open November 1.
- After approval
Register for programs
Use the waiver when you register for eligible Parks & Recreation or aquatic center programs. It cannot be applied to charges made before approval.
- By December 31
Use the year's funds
The waiver is good for the calendar year, so spend it on programs before it expires.
What it pays for
Covered
- Selected Parks & Recreation programs
- Every qualifying member of the household
Not covered
- Programs marked ineligible for scholarships
- Charges made before approval
- PO box addresses as proof of residency
Who to contact
The Parks & Recreation Admin Office reviews fee waiver applications and helps families who need support applying.
Parks@cob.org 360-778-7000 Fee waiver page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Washington
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.
Washington sets these rules:
- 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 See statewide programs in Washington
Questions parents ask
- Does each child get Bellingham's $200?
- Yes. Once approved, each household member listed on the form can receive up to $200 for the calendar year, including the adult account holder if they request funds.
- What documents do we need for the Bellingham fee waiver?
- Proof of a physical Bellingham address, since PO boxes are not accepted, and one eligibility document dated within the last six months, such as your last three earnings statements, a recent W-2, or a caseworker letter.
- Is the $50 summer camp coupon still available?
- Not that the department has said. The code was offered for summer 2026 youth camps only, could be used twice per child, and stacked with the fee waiver, so ask whether it returns for summer 2027.
- When should we apply for 2027?
- From November 1, when the department starts taking applications for the following calendar year. You can also apply any time during the year.
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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