According to the National Home Education Research Institute, over 2.5 million students were homeschooled in the US in 2019, and that number continues to climb. If you’re one of the growing number of people who are considering homeschooling your children, you may be wondering about the price, and if there’s a great way to receive help with these bills. In this article, we’ll highlight many of the costs that come with homeschooling and the ways in which you can raise money to cover them.
Costs to consider
While there’s limited research on the average cost of homeschooling in the US, anecdotal evidence from national homeschooling organizations suggests that costs may range from $300 to $3,000 per year and per student, depending on a number of factors. Before you begin a home education program, it’s important to account for the following expenses.
Curricula
While there’s a wide range of homeschool curriculum available, not all of them are marked at the same price. Depending on your child’s needs and your educational goals, you may opt to buy a homeschool curriculum from an accredited institution, which can cost $300 to $1000 on average. Alternatively, you may choose to design your own homeschool curriculum using personalized resources. Regardless of what you choose to do, it’s important to consider your finances, do your research, and spend within your family’s means.
School supplies
As your child’s primary educator, you’ll be responsible for purchasing all of their homeschool supplies. While supplies can be relatively inexpensive, the price can add up, especially if your curriculum requires expensive technology and software. For your convenience, here’s a list of common homeschool supplies and their average cost per year:
- Textbooks, chapter books, and workbooks: $200
- School supplies, like notebooks, pens, and calculators: $75
- Project materials, like markers, poster boards, and art supplies: $100
- Teaching materials, like planners, whiteboards, and supply organizers: $100
- Technology and software: $200
- Memberships and subscriptions to learning resources: $200
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to save money on these supplies. Instead of buying new supplies, consider buying them secondhand or borrowing them from your local library. If neither of those options are available to you, you can research stores that offer discounts to homeschoolers.
Field trips
Field trips are an important part of any curriculum, and for homeschooled students, this is especially true. They allow children to experience opportunities outside of the home, giving them the opportunity to learn new things. Private school students and high school students take many trips throughout the school year, and access to outside resources is also important for homeschool students.
On average, families spend about $220 per year on field trips. But depending on the type and frequency of field trips you take with your child, they don’t have to break your bank. For example, many museums and nature facilities offer educational programs to home school students. Contact your local homeschool co-operative to learn more about cost-effective field trip opportunities.
Extracurricular activities
It’s important for all children to participate in extracurricular activities, but it’s especially meaningful for those who are homeschooled. Extracurriculars allow homeschooled children to explore their creativity, meet new friends, and discover their passions. Many popular extracurriculars include:
- Sports
- Competitive academics
- Visual and performing arts
- Volunteer work and community service
- Clubs and special interest groups
- Political organizations
- Paid work
- Cultural, religious, and identity groups
- Writing and journalism
- Scouting
While the prices of these extracurricular programs vary greatly, in many cases, your child can participate for. By law, homeschooled children are entitled to participate in their district’s public school’s extracurricular activities. It’s important to note, however, that you may be required to purchase items associated with your child’s extracurricular activities, like sports equipment or special art supplies.
Hidden costs
Home education programs can come with a slew of hidden costs that first-time homeschoolers might not expect. Those include, but are not limited to:
- Assessment fees, if required by your state
- Gas money for field trips and other outings
- Tutoring expenses, if necessary
- Increased grocery bill due to eating more meals at home
- Higher utility costs due to spending more time at home
- Lost income due to a parent or guardian’s full-time commitment to homeschooling
Learn how to raise money
Your friends, family, and even strangers who are financially secure want to support you and your child’s education, and crowdfunding offers them a great way to do just that. Through an online fundraiser, you can raise money and transfer the funds directly to your bank account, allowing you to quickly cover your costs.
Find the right crowdfunding platform for homeschool fundraising
With so many crowdfunding websites to choose from, you might be wondering which platform is right for you. As you compare the top crowdfunding sites, consider the following factors to guide you in your selection:
- Fees, including both platform fees and payment processing fees
- Customer support options
- Accessibility to funds and limitations on withdrawals and deposits
- Fundraiser sharing capabilities
- Ease of use and website design
We’re a little biased, but when it comes to fundraising for the costs of homeschool, GoFundMe’s crowdfunding platform is likely your best option. Unlike other crowdfunding sites, we offer fundraising, and you can withdraw funds the minute you start receiving donations. To learn more about the different crowdfunding platforms and how they compare,
Start a homeschool fundraiser
With a compelling online fundraiser, you can inspire your community to support your homeschooling journey and donate to your cause. To engage your supporters, get creative with your fundraiser; tell a unique story, and consider hosting an innovative fundraising event. To gain more insight on how to create a successful fundraiser, check out these helpful fundraising tips and ideas.
Share your fundraiser
The key to running a successful fundraiser is to share it far and wide with your social networks. Share your fundraiser on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and encourage your followers to do the same. Alternatively, you can share your campaign without social media and reach out to potential donors via emails, text messages, and in-person conversations.
Launch your fundraiser today
There are a number of reasons why you may choose to homeschool your children, but one thing is for certain: the costs can add up. If you’re looking for some financial help with your homeschooling expenses, consider starting an online fundraiser.
