Home School Foundation - Financial Support for Homeschoolers by Jennifer Smeltser

 For many homeschool families, the school bell signaling the beginning of a new school semester has already sounded. Children are flipping the pages through textbooks and eagerly soaking up the knowledge promised by the continuation of the school year. There are also many families who have prayed to continue homeschooling their children and for various reasons - expense, death of a parent or other reason see that dream slowly fading away. Despite that, they remain committed in prayer to continue educating their children as they believe they have been called by God.
 
The Home School Foundation, created in 1994 by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) as a non-profit 501(c)(3), has stepped up to fulfill the need of "giving...the heart of homeschooling". It carries a vision to
be used by God to address the financial challenges homeschooling families experience as well as being a blessing to the homeschool community as a whole. Their mission is to be a blessing to homeschoolers and to support the cause of homeschooling.

With the help of donors, The Home School Foundation is able to support a variety of funds that were established for families who desire to continue homeschooling and are threatened to have to stop as a result of situations their family has experienced. There are several funds available to families which include the following:
 
Widows/Widowers Fund
Assistance is available to parents who want to continue homeschooling their children after the death of a spouse. Financial support is offered towards emergency help and curriculum scholarships so that homeschooling may continue in the home.
 
Children of Single Parents Fund
Assistance is available to Christian single parents who are "training their children in the Lord" and are committed to homeschooling. Financial support is for a temporary period, but if granted after a very selective review process, can be of great assistance for a parent trying to do it all by themselves.
 
Special Needs Children's Fund
Assistance is available to HSLDA families that have been members of HSLDA for at least six months. Financial support is offered toward equipment, special therapies, specialized material and testing.
 
Kids Curriculum Fund
Assistance is available to HSLDA families who have been members of HSLDA for at least six months and are currently homeschooling their children. Financial support is for purchasing basic and needed curriculum for the school year. If you have a need for this support, but are not currently an HSLDA member, contact HSLDA to learn of how you may benefit from this fund.

You can learn more about all of the offered funds through The Home School Foundation. If your family is experiencing a difficult financial time and would like to continue home educating, you may apply to receive assistance through one of the funds. 

 Jennifer Smeltser writes for HomeLife Academy. HomeLife Academy is an official private school serving thousands of home educators. For more of Jennifer's articles, visit the Homeschool Roster.