California Homeschool Charter Funds calculator for 2026-27
California has no ESA. Instead, homeschool students who enroll in a public independent-study charter get yearly educational funds from that charter. See typical amounts by grade and the new rules coming July 1, 2027. Free, no sign-up.
Figures last checked Oct 29, 2026.
Calculator
How Homeschool Charter Funds amounts work in 2026-27
- Private school: not eligible. California has no ESA or voucher for private school. Charter funds go only to students enrolled in a public independent-study (homeschool) charter. Choose Homeschool to see the amounts.
- Homeschool, pre-K: Ask your charter. Charters set their own funds for transitional kindergarten (TK). Many treat TK like kindergarten.
- Homeschool, grades K-5: $2,200 to $2,800 per child. Each charter sets its own funds. This is the typical range for elementary students in 2025-26, from a third-party guide.
- Homeschool, grades 6-8: $2,600 to $3,200 per child. Each charter sets its own funds. This is the typical range for middle school students in 2025-26, from a third-party guide.
- Homeschool, grades 9-12: $2,800 to $3,800 per child. Each charter sets its own funds. This is the typical range for high school students in 2025-26, from a third-party guide.
When the money arrives
- Homeschool: Your charter decides when funds are released, often in fall and spring halves, and sets its own order cutoff. Most purchases go through the charter's approved vendors.
Good to know
- Deadline By July 1, 2027 every charter has to adopt a vendor approval policy. From then on charters can't reimburse parents (except under an IEP or a legal settlement), buy season passes to theme parks or pay for religious materials (Education Code 51827).
- Amounts are typical 2025-26 ranges from a third-party guide. Your charter sets its own 2026-27 amount, so check your school's funding page.
- Computers, tablets and other non-consumable items usually go back to the charter if your child withdraws.
- Independent-study students turn in work samples each learning period and take the state tests: CAASPP in grades 3-8 and 11, and science (CAST) in grades 5, 8 and once in high school.
Last checked Oct 29, 2026. Official program site: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (Ed. Code 51827). Your award notice is final.
Keeping receipts? The California Charter Funds Tracker logs every purchase against your deposits and shows what's left, in Google Sheets or Excel.