Alaska School Choice Options
Alaska does not have a state education savings account or voucher program. Instead, families have two main options. First, public correspondence programs let students learn at home through a school district. Many of these programs give each student a yearly allotment for school costs. Each district sets its own program and allotment amount. Second, Alaska joined the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. Starting January 1, 2027, taxpayers can give to approved scholarship groups and earn a federal credit of up to $1,700. However, families who homeschool under the homeschool statute are not enrolled in a correspondence program. So they do not receive allotments.
Day to day, correspondence allotments are spent through the district program, not paid to families as cash. You can use them for educational services and materials tied to a course of study the district approves. In 2025, the Alaska Supreme Court kept the allotment law in place. Still, the court did not decide whether allotments may pay private school tuition. The new scholarship groups may serve homeschool students, depending on each group. Also, the state approved its first 20 scholarship groups in October 2026. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Alaska school districts may run correspondence study programs, which are district-supported public school options at home (Alaska DEED). The law lets districts give an allotment of public funds for each correspondence student. Families can use it for educational services and materials from public, private, or religious organizations, tied to a course of study the district approves (Alaska Supreme Court, State v. Alexander).
Each district program and its allotment amount vary (Alaska State Library). Ask the program for its current amount.
Students who enroll in a district or statewide correspondence program. You may choose your own district’s program or a statewide program run by another district. The AK Virtual School is another statewide option (Alaska State Library).
Homeschoolers: In Alaska, “homeschooling” means schooling with no district affiliation (Alaska DEED). Families who homeschool under the homeschool statute do not receive allotments. Correspondence students are public school students.
Contact the correspondence program directly. DEED keeps a Correspondence School Directory. Enrollment dates are set by each program.
Allotments may buy nonsectarian educational services and materials connected to a district-approved course of study (State v. Alexander). The parties in that case agreed that uses like books, computers, art supplies, martial arts classes, and pottery lessons can be allowed. Each district approves specific purchases.
In 2024, a superior court ruled the allotment statutes (AS 14.03.300-.310) unconstitutional. On March 28, 2025, the Alaska Supreme Court explained its reversal of that ruling. The court held that striking the statutes entirely was legal error, because many uses of allotments are valid. It did not decide whether paying private school tuition with allotments is constitutional, and it sent the case back to the superior court (State v. Alexander, S-19083).
Each school district runs its own program. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development oversees correspondence schools; see Correspondence Schools. DEED main phone: 907-465-2800.
Alaska elected to take part in the federal scholarship tax credit (Internal Revenue Code section 25F) beginning in tax year 2027 (Alaska DEED: Scholarship Granting Organizations). Starting January 1, 2027, individual taxpayers may give to an approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) and receive a federal income tax credit of up to $1,700. SGOs must spend at least 90% of their income on scholarships for eligible K-12 students (Office of the Governor).
Homeschoolers: The governor’s office says the program may support students in public, charter, private, religious, and home schools, depending on the student and the SGO. Each SGO sets its own scholarship program. Federal rules were still proposed as of October 2026, so check with an SGO before you plan on a scholarship.
The state approved its first 20 SGOs in October 2026 and lists them on the DEED SGO page.
Alaska has no state-funded ESA or voucher. The Alaska Performance Scholarship is for college, not K-12.
- Alaska DEED: Correspondence Schools and Correspondence School Directory
- Alaska State Libraries: Alaska Homeschooling Resources
- State v. Alexander, Alaska Supreme Court, March 28, 2025
- Alaska DEED: Scholarship Granting Organization Application and approved list
- Office of the Governor: Alaska Opens Applications for K-12 Scholarship Granting Organizations
Last reviewed: October 31, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
- October 31, 2026
- Judicial action: Covered the 2025 Alaska Supreme Court decision keeping correspondence allotments in place (State v. Alexander).
- Regulatory action: Added Alaska’s opt-in to the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit and the first 20 approved scholarship groups (DEED SGO page).
- Editorial/clarification: Replaced the coming-soon placeholder with a full guide, sources, and a last-reviewed date.