Education funding in Maine
2 programs in Maine. Each links to the program’s official sources.
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (Educational Choice for Children Act) - state opt-in
Program doesn’t say whether homeschoolers qualify From official sources October 7, 2026
Federal law ties eligible expenses to "qualified elementary or secondary education" expenses under section 530(b)(3)(A) of the tax code, and the IRS and Treasury say guidance clarifying which expenses and schools qualify is still coming. Official sources do not yet say whether homeschool expenses qualify.
Dates and status: Maine is not on the IRS list of states that made an advance election to participate for 2027 (list as of September 14, 2026), so scholarships through this federal program are not currently available to Maine families. No official Maine opt-in or opt-out decision was found on state government websites; a participating state must give Treasury its list of scholarship organizations by January 1 each year (for 2027, by February 15, 2027).
Town Tuitioning Program (tuition paid by school units that do not operate a school)
Not open to homeschoolers From official sources October 7, 2026
No. Tuition is paid to a public school or an approved private school of the parent's choice that accepts the student. Maine's home instruction guidance says parents bear all costs of home instruction.
Dates and status: Available only where the town or school unit does not run (or contract for) a school at the child's grade level; families should ask their superintendent. 2026-2027 public tuition rates are to be calculated in December 2026.