Maryland ESA, Voucher & Scholarship Programs for Homeschoolers

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Maryland has LIMITED state-funded programs for homeschoolers. This guide covers the BOOST scholarship program, proposed ESA legislation, and what financial aid is (and isn’t) available to Maryland homeschooling families.

Key Takeaways

Maryland does NOT have an ESA or voucher program for homeschoolers (as of 2026)
BOOST Scholarship: $9 million program—but ONLY for private school tuition, NOT available to homeschoolers
Proposed HB 1204: Would create a Maryland ESA—NOT yet enacted; status is uncertain
No other state-funded scholarship programs exist for homeschoolers
Federal Coverdell ESA and Maryland 529 are the main savings vehicles (covered in previous article)

BOOST Scholarship Program

What Is BOOST?

BOOST (Better Opportunities for Outcomes and Savings Today) is Maryland’s only significant state-funded education funding program—but it does NOT apply to homeschoolers.

Program Details:

Budget: $9 million/year
Students served: ~3,000 students (estimated)
Eligible schools: PRIVATE SCHOOLS ONLY
Funding amount: Approximately $3,000 per student/year (varies)

Who’s Eligible

K–12 students attending private schools
Families meeting income requirements (typically 2–3x poverty level)
Not available to homeschoolers

Why Not Homeschoolers?

BOOST is designed for private school tuition. Since homeschooling is parent-directed (not a traditional school), it doesn’t fit the program structure. Homeschooling families cannot use BOOST funds for curriculum or educational costs.

If You’re Considering Private School

If you qualify for BOOST, it may make private school affordable. However, homeschooling remains an option worth comparing on cost.

Proposed HB 1204: Maryland Education Savings Account (ESA)

Maryland has proposed, but NOT enacted, legislation that would create an ESA program.

What Is HB 1204?

Bill Name: Education Savings Account Program Status (2026): Under consideration; NOT yet law Sponsor: Various education reform advocates

Proposed Features

If enacted, HB 1204 would likely include:

Eligible Students:

K–12 students (including homeschoolers)
Students with disabilities (potentially priority)
Possibly income-based eligibility

Account Funding:

State-funded deposits into individual education savings accounts
Estimated $6,000–$7,000 per student/year (based on similar state programs)

Eligible Uses:

Homeschool curriculum and supplies
Tutoring and educational services
Therapy services (speech, occupational, physical)
Online courses and programs
Private school tuition
Education-related expenses

Account Control:

Parents direct how funds are used
Unused funds roll over year to year
Greater flexibility than BOOST

Why HB 1204 Matters for Homeschoolers

If enacted, an ESA would be transformative:

$6,000–$7,000/year could cover substantial curriculum costs
Flexible uses including curriculum, co-ops, tutoring, online programs
Account ownership with roll-over potential
No program restrictions on school type

Current Status

As of March 2026:

HB 1204 has been proposed but not enacted
Legislative support is developing but not yet majority
Education advocacy groups (MACHE, HSLDA, others) are monitoring
Likely timeline: Could be 2–3 years before passage (if passed at all)

How to Monitor HB 1204

MACHE: Monitor their website/email for legislative updates
HSLDA: Maryland chapter sends alerts about pending legislation
Maryland General Assembly: mgahouse.maryland.gov and msa.maryland.gov track bills
Local homeschool leaders: Ask in your co-op or Facebook groups about updates

Other Scholarship Programs (Not Homeschool-Specific)

Maryland has scholarships, but most are NOT homeschool-specific:

Merit Scholarships (University-Based)

College scholarships available to homeschoolers:

University of Maryland: Merit scholarships (homeschool applicants accepted)
Johns Hopkins: Merit scholarships (homeschool applicants accepted)
Towson University: Merit scholarships for Maryland residents
Other Maryland universities: Merit scholarships available regardless of school type

Who qualifies: College-bound homeschoolers with strong SAT/ACT scores and portfolios

Amount: Varies; can be partial or full tuition

Federal Aid (College Level)

Federal Pell Grant: For low-income college students (post-secondary only)
Federal Student Loans: For college (not K–12)
Federal Work-Study: For college students

Military/Military-Connected Scholarships

Department of Defense Education Benefits: For children of active-duty/retired military
Yellow Ribbon Program: For GI Bill beneficiaries’ families
Military OneSource: Free counseling and educational support

Who qualifies: Military-connected families (homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers)

Comparison: Maryland’s Funding Landscape

What This Means for Maryland Homeschoolers

Bottom line: You cannot count on state-funded scholarships or vouchers. Plan for homeschool costs as out-of-pocket expenses.

However:

Use 529 plan: Claim $2,500/year Maryland state tax deduction
Use Coverdell ESA: Tax-free growth on $2,000/year (federal)
Monitor HB 1204: If passed, could provide $6,000+/year
Save strategically: Use tax-advantaged accounts to offset costs
Plan for college: Merit scholarships available for strong students

States WITH ESA/Voucher Programs (For Reference)

While Maryland doesn’t have an ESA (yet), these states do:

Many states have created ESAs specifically because homeschoolers and private school families wanted education flexibility. Maryland is considering following suit.

How HB 1204 Could Help Maryland Homeschoolers

Example Scenario (if HB 1204 passes):

Maria homeschools her two children in Maryland. Current annual costs:

Abeka curriculum: $2,400 (both children)
Co-op classes: $800
Supplies: $300
Total: $3,500/year

If HB 1204 passes and provides $6,500/year per student:

ESA funding: $13,000/year (both children)
Actual costs: $3,500/year
Surplus: $9,500/year (rolls over or can be used for college savings, therapies, etc.)

This would make Maryland homeschooling significantly more affordable and flexible.

What You CAN Do Now

While waiting for potential ESA legislation:

Maximize 529: Contribute $2,500/year per child, claim state tax deduction
Use Coverdell ESA: Contribute $2,000/year per child, grow tax-free
Leverage free resources: Smithsonian DC, Maryland libraries, 4-H
Join co-ops with sliding scale fees: Some offer financial aid
Watch for HSLDA/MACHE updates: Stay informed about legislative changes
Budget realistically: Don’t wait for ESA; plan for current costs
Explore hybrid private school: If BOOST eligible, consider whether private school + curriculum is affordable with scholarship

Advocating for Maryland ESA

If you’re interested in supporting ESA legislation:

Contact MACHE: They actively advocate for homeschool-friendly legislation
Contact state legislators: Email representatives supporting education freedom
Follow HSLDA updates: National organization monitors state legislative trends
Join local homeschool groups: Collective advocacy is stronger
Attend MACHE convention: Network with other advocates and hear legislative updates

Internal Links

Bottom Line

As of 2026, Maryland does NOT have direct financial aid or voucher programs for homeschoolers. BOOST is private school only. HB 1204 (ESA) is proposed but not yet law.

This doesn’t mean homeschooling is unaffordable—many Maryland families homeschool for $1,000–$2,000/year using strategic choices and free resources. It means YOU are responsible for planning and budgeting rather than relying on state funding.

Stay informed about HB 1204. If passed, it would be a game-changer for Maryland homeschoolers. Until then, use the tax advantages available (529 deduction, Coverdell growth) and leverage Maryland’s exceptional free resources (Smithsonian DC, libraries, state parks) to make homeschooling affordable.