Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in Illinois

Illinois has no homeschool tax credit or deduction, and the Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program - which funded private school scholarships - sunset at the end of 2023 with no replacement enacted.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

State programs and eligibility rules

Illinois K-12 Education Expense Credit

Illinois permits a credit for qualifying home-school expenses when the child and parent meet the state residency and compulsory-attendance requirements.

Amount language: 25% of qualified expenses over $250, up to $750 per household

Illinois homeschool driver education access and fee waiver

Illinois law and State Board rules expressly allow a student enrolled in a home school to request driver education from a public school district or nonpublic school when the student meets the course requirements.

Amount language: Resident homeschool students may take an eligible public-school driver education course; the district may charge up to $50, or up to $250 after a public hearing, and must waive the fee for students unable to pay

Local districts, towns, cities, and counties

Choose the local page that matches the resident district or municipality. The finder can also resolve ZIP/ZCTA candidates before you verify the exact address.

Current local route signals

Peoria Promise homeschool tuition reimbursement

Amount or support: Out-of-pocket tuition reimbursement at Illinois Central College for up to 64 credit hours; the dollar amount uses a calculated benefit percentage. Eligible homeschool graduates who reside in Peoria, West Peoria, or Peoria Heights for the required period may apply after completing FAFSA and the program's college-preparatory transcript and age requirements.

Peoria Promise eligibility · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Warrenville Park District scholarship

Amount or support: Up to $400 per person per year for eligible Warrenville Park District programs. Warrenville residents, including homeschool households, may request income-qualified Park District scholarship assistance.

Warrenville Park District scholarships · Last reviewed 2026-08-24.

Elgin Youth Scholarship Fund

Amount or support: Up to $125 per qualified youth. Elgin youth ages 5-17 who meet current residency and financial-need rules may apply. No school-enrollment gate is listed.

Elgin Youth Scholarship Fund · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Southwestern Illinois College District 522 scholarship

Amount or support: Tuition coverage for transcripted classes under current scholarship rules. SWIC expressly includes qualifying homeschool graduates age 16 or older who meet the current GPA and dual-credit requirements.

SWIC top scholarship · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Kishwaukee College homeschool graduate scholarships

Amount or support: $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters for President's Scholar awards, or $500 per semester for College Scholar awards. Kishwaukee College evaluates in-district homeschool graduates after transcript review for its academic awards.

Kishwaukee College scholarships · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Elgin Community College homeschool trustee scholarships

Amount or support: $2,000 per year for up to two years for Top 10 Percent, or $1,000 per year for up to two years for Top 20 Percent awards; tuition, fees, and books covered under posted terms. Elgin Community College evaluates homeschool graduates by ACT or equivalent criteria for its trustee scholarship routes.

Elgin Community College trustee scholarship policy · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Wheaton College Acker Academy home-education scholarship

Amount or support: Approximately $1,500 as a one-time freshman award. Wheaton's Acker Academy award is for first-year graduates of a long-term home-education program who meet the academic and service requirements.

Wheaton College homeschool applicants · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Metra homeschool student fare

Amount or support: Reduced one-way, 10-ride, and monthly fares for eligible full-time K-12 homeschooled students; exact savings depend on zones and ticket type. Metra's published fare policy accepts a signed or notarized homeschool letter for full-time K-12 homeschool students; college students are excluded from this category.

Metra fares and fare policy · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Illinois Cards for Kids homeschool library fee waiver

Amount or support: Participating public library's nonresident card fee waived for an income-eligible homeschool student; the normal fee varies by library. Illinois public-library rules expressly allow an income-eligible homeschool student to receive a Cards for Kids nonresident card without paying the nonresident fee, after the library reviews household size and annualized household income.

Illinois Administrative Code Cards for Kids rule · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Chicago Public Schools homeschool materials and course access

Amount or support: Grade-level curriculum materials and textbooks may be requested; fees may apply unless waived; no parent cash. Chicago residents who homeschool may request curriculum materials, curricular courses, extracurriculars, athletics, science-fair participation, and driver's education under CPS policy.

Chicago Public Schools homeschool policy · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

St. Charles District 303 homeschool shared-time classes

Amount or support: Part-time district classes on a space-available basis; standard registration or activity fees may apply. District-resident homeschool students may attend part-time classes under the current District 303 clarification.

St. Charles District 303 homeschool clarification · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Chicago Public Schools homeschool materials, courses, activities, driver education, and IDEA services

Amount or support: Neighborhood schools may provide requested grade-level curriculum materials and textbooks, subject to fees or an approved fee waiver; homeschool students may also request curricular courses, extracurricular activities, driver education, and proportionate-share special-education services. Chicago Public Schools policy 601.6 expressly provides educational assistance to homeschool families, allows requests for curriculum materials and textbooks, permits approved curricular and extracurricular participation, and identifies IDEA proportionate-share services for homeschooled students with disabilities.

Chicago Public Schools Board Policy 601.6 Homeschooling · Last reviewed 2026-08-25.

Before you apply

1. Confirm whether the route is independent homeschooling, public enrollment, private-school enrollment, a charter program, or another restricted program.
2. Ask the administrator what proof of residency, filing, enrollment, age, grade, disability, or income is required.
3. Confirm the current award year, deadline, approved expenses, provider restrictions, and whether funds flow to the family or to the program.
4. Keep receipts, approvals, and the original official instructions with the learning records you use at home.

Use the ZIP-based funding finder for a local scan, then read the official source before relying on any result. Review Illinois homeschool requirements separately from funding eligibility.