The Homeschool Fund
Scholarships built for Christian homeschool families.
The Homeschool Fund gives scholarships to Christian homeschool families, kindergarten through 12th grade. Starting January 1, 2027, the new Education Freedom Tax Credit lets you direct up to $1,700 of the taxes you already owe to a homeschool scholarship, dollar for dollar. You can also give a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.
Scroll down to see how it works, run the numbers with our tax credit calculator, and find the next step for donors, families and churches. ↓
Tax-credit gifts open January 1, 2027
Pledge your 2027 gift now, or give a tax-deductible gift today. Pledge · Give today
Who it’s for
One fund, three ways in.
Donors
I want to give
Starting January 1, 2027, give up to $1,700 ($3,400 for a married couple) and take it off your federal taxes, dollar for dollar. Or give a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.
Families
I homeschool my children
Scholarships for curriculum, online classes, tutorials and co-ops, tutoring, testing and more, K–12. Households at or below 300% of their area’s median income qualify, which is most families.
Churches & co-ops
I lead a church or co-op
Help the homeschool families you serve hear about scholarships, and tell your members how they can give.
How it works
From your tax bill to a family’s schoolwork.
Give
Give up to $1,700 to the Homeschool Fund ($3,400 for a married couple who each give) on or after January 1, 2027, and mark it as a tax-credit gift.
Get your letter
We send your acknowledgment letter, with your donor number, by January 31 of the following year.
Claim the credit
Claim it on IRS Form 8525 with your federal return. Your tax goes down by the amount of your gift, up to the tax you owe.
Families receive scholarships
Our Scholarship Committee awards scholarships by published rules. At least 90% of tax-credit gifts go to scholarships.
The numbers
A credit, not a deduction.
A deduction lowers the income you’re taxed on. A credit lowers the tax itself, so every dollar of your gift comes off what you owe.
- Deduction: a $1,700 gift saves about $408 if you’re in the 24% bracket.
- Credit: a $1,700 gift cuts your federal tax by $1,700, if you owe at least that much.
- Example: you owe $5,000. You give $1,700 to the Homeschool Fund. Now you owe $3,300.
Married couples: each spouse can give up to $1,700, for up to $3,400 on a joint return.
The credit can’t be more than the tax you owe, but any unused credit carries forward for up to five years. It was created by Section 25F of the tax code, enacted July 4, 2025.
Tax Credit Calculator
| Your federal tax bill | $5,000 |
| Tax credit | −$1,700 |
| You still owe | $3,300 |
An estimate, not tax advice. The credit is nonrefundable: it can’t be more than the tax you owe, but any unused credit carries forward for up to five years. Please consult your tax advisor.
100%
Dollar-for-dollar credit, up to $1,700 per person
5 years
Unused credit carries forward
300%
Of area median income: the family income limit
90%+
Of tax-credit gifts go to scholarships
Questions
What donors ask first.
Does giving cost me anything?
If you owe at least as much federal tax as you give, your gift comes back to you as a credit, so your net cost can be $0. The credit can’t be more than the tax you owe; any unused part carries forward for up to five years.
Is this government money?
No. A private citizen gives to a private charity, and the charity gives scholarships to private families. The money never passes through a government account, and the tax credit adds no new federal rules for how you teach your children.
Can I choose which student receives my gift?
No. Gifts can’t be directed to a particular child or family. Our Scholarship Committee awards scholarships by published rules.
Information only, not advice. This page explains the Education Freedom Tax Credit in general terms. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules can change, final Treasury regulations are still to come, and every situation is different, so please talk with your tax advisor before you give. We are not affiliated with the IRS or the U.S. Treasury. Terms of Use
Learn more
Plain-language explanations.
The Education Freedom Tax Credit, Explained
What the new law does, who can give, and how scholarships reach families.
How a Tax Credit Works
Credits, deductions and refunds, with simple examples.
How awards are made
Who qualifies, how applications are reviewed and how funds are paid.
Private charity, not government money. Scholarships come from private gifts to a Christian ministry. Families apply to us, not to a government agency. The tax credit adds no new federal rules for how you teach your children.
We’re registering in as many participating states as we can. Where we serve
The Homeschool Fund is a program of The Nehemiah Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity serving Christian education since 1986. At least 90% of tax-credit gifts go to scholarships.