Kansas School Choice Options
Kansas families should know about two scholarship programs. However, neither pays homeschool costs directly today. First, the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship gives up to $8,000 a year for tuition at an accredited private school. Students qualify based on family income and recent public school enrollment. A homeschool is a nonaccredited private school, so it is not a qualifying school. Second, Kansas opted into the new federal scholarship tax credit in 2026. Donors may claim up to $1,700, or $3,400 for joint filers, starting January 1, 2027. The scholarships go to families below 300 percent of the local median income.
Day to day, the biggest benefit for homeschoolers is public school access. You may enroll part-time in district classes and programs. In addition, your child may join public school activities run by the state activities association, including sports. You pay the same fees as other students. Also, a 2026 law lets private schools invite homeschoolers into their activities. Watch for rules from Kansas scholarship groups as the federal program starts. We will update this page as details come out. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Scholarship granting organizations give scholarships of up to $8,000 per school year to cover tuition, fees, and expenses at a qualified school, plus school-provided transportation if any. Donors receive a Kansas tax credit of 75 percent of their contribution, with a $10 million statewide cap per tax year (Kansas Department of Revenue; KLRD Briefing Book 2026).
An eligible student lives in Kansas, has family income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and either was enrolled in a Kansas public school in kindergarten through grade 8 the prior year or is young enough to be starting school. Prior scholarship recipients stay eligible until graduation or age 21 (Kansas Department of Revenue; KLRD).
Homeschoolers: A qualified school must be a nonpublic school accredited by the state board or a recognized accrediting agency (or working in good faith toward accreditation) that has notified the state board it will participate (Kansas Department of Revenue; KLRD). Kansas homeschools are nonaccredited private schools, so the scholarship cannot be used for homeschooling (HSLDA).
Kansas lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto to pass Senate Bill 361, opting Kansas into the federal scholarship tax credit (Beacon: Kansas education laws: What’s new in 2026; Kansas Legislature: SB 361). Kansas appears on the IRS list of participating states as of October 22, 2026 (IRS: FSTC Participating States).
Starting January 1, 2027, individual donors may claim a federal credit of up to $1,700 ($3,400 if filing jointly) for cash gifts to scholarship granting organizations (IRS). The Beacon reports the scholarships can go to families earning less than 300 percent of the local median income (Beacon). Check with each scholarship organization about which expenses it will cover.
Districts must allow nonaccredited private school students to enroll part-time in courses, programs, or services (HSLDA). Homeschool students may also join KSHSAA activities, including most sports, music, drama, and debate, at their resident school, paying the same fees as other students (K.S.A. 72-7121; Kansas Reflector). Under 2026 Senate Bill 382, nonpublic schools may also allow homeschoolers to take part in their KSHSAA activities (SB 382; KSHSAA).
We found no Kansas program that pays homeschool expenses directly. See our Kansas Homeschool Laws page for legal requirements.
- Kansas Department of Revenue: Low Income Students Scholarship; KLRD Briefing Book 2026
- IRS: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Participating States (as of October 22, 2026); Kansas Legislature: SB 361; Beacon: Kansas education laws 2026
- K.S.A. 72-7121; SB 382; KSHSAA; HSLDA: Public School Access in Kansas; KSDE: NAPS registration
Last reviewed: November 7, 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.