Homeschool funding & ESAs in Missouri
Missouri offers an education savings account (ESA) that homeschooling families can use, plus the scholarships, grants, and tax-credit options below.
Missouri ESA program
MOScholars Empowerment Scholarship Account
Tax-credit-funded ESA usable at home via the "Family Paced Education" designation; entry gate (a prior public-school semester or entering K/1) plus income at or below 300% of the free/reduced-lunch level, or an IEP.
Runs through: State-approved platform (Odyssey)
Official program & application →Missouri's MOScholars, organized — and honest about the trade.
Missouri's MOScholars ESA runs through the state's approved platform with each purchase pre-approved, so the platform holds your receipts. The ESA Wallet adds an independent backup, checks eligibility before you buy, and rolls spend up by category against your award.
- Independent backup of every approved purchase
- Eligibility check before you buy
- Spend tracked per child against your award
MOScholars families enroll as a 'Family Paced Education' program — a separate status from a traditional Missouri home school — and grade-3+ students take an annual test regular homeschoolers don't.
Scholarships, grants & tax credits
MOScholars (Empowerment Scholarship Accounts)
Tax-credit-funded ESA usable at home via the "Family Paced Education" designation (annual norm-referenced testing required). Entry gate: enrolled in public school for at least one semester in the last 12 months, or entering K/1st. Income at or below 300% of the free/reduced-lunch level, or an IEP.
ACT Today! Grant
For U.S. families of a child with an autism diagnosis (priority to household income under $100k). Covers ABA therapy, speech/OT, assistive and communication technology, safety equipment, and social-skills programs.
Dyslexia Services Foundation Grant
For low-income U.S. children with dyslexia who cannot otherwise afford treatment (need shown via free/reduced lunch, Medicaid, or SNAP). Funds research-based dyslexia tutoring, paid directly to clinicians.
HSLDA Compassion Curriculum Grant
For HSLDA members with significant financial need (legal custody of a child 6-19, homeschooling 3+ months). Covers curriculum, books, co-op tuition, testing, tutoring, and school technology.
HSLDA Disaster Relief Grant
For homeschooling families (child 6-19) with physical disaster damage in the past 18 months. Covers emergency needs plus replacement curriculum and materials. First-time applicants need not be HSLDA members.
MyGOAL Autism Grant
For the primary caregiver of a child under 18 with autism, with demonstrated financial need. Covers therapies plus educational, enrichment, and socialization activities not covered elsewhere.
Our Military Kids Grant
For children (1-18) of deployed National Guard/Reserve members (60+ days) or of post-9/11 combat-injured service members and veterans. Funds enrichment activities: tutoring, sports, arts, camps, and STEM.
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Grant
For U.S. children aged 16 or under with commercial (non-public) health insurance, subject to income guidelines. Covers medical needs not paid by insurance — therapies, assistive devices, and equipment.
Funding programs change often. About Time organizes receipts and checks likely eligibility — it does not file or submit on your behalf. Confirm amounts, eligibility, and deadlines with each program before you rely on them.