Education funding in the District of Columbia
2 programs in the District of Columbia. Each links to the program’s official sources.
D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program
Not open to homeschoolers From official sources October 7, 2026 Applications open
No. The scholarship can only be used at a participating private school in the District of Columbia, so it does not pay for homeschooling.
Dates and status: Applications for the 2027-28 school year are open. For 2026-27, scholarships are up to $10,000 for elementary and middle school and up to $15,000 for high school. Scholarships must be renewed every year.
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (Educational Choice for Children Act) - state participation
Program doesn’t say whether homeschoolers qualify From official sources October 7, 2026
Scholarships under the federal credit pay for "qualified elementary and secondary education expenses," which federal law ties to a student's enrollment or attendance "at a public, private, or religious school." The law does not mention homeschooling, so whether homeschool costs qualify is not settled in the official text.
Dates and status: Federal law lets the District of Columbia opt in, but D.C. is not on the IRS list of jurisdictions that have elected to participate for 2027 (list as of September 14, 2026; page updated September 16, 2026). No official decision from the Mayor or D.C. government was found. An election could still be made, so this could change.