How much does homeschooling cost in Canada?

There's no federal homeschooling grant, and most provinces don't fund homeschooling families. The main exceptions we found are:

• Alberta: families can choose a home education program supervised by a willing school board or accredited funded private school, and those programs are eligible for funding from Alberta Education. A notification-only (unsupervised) program receives no funding.
• Saskatchewan: there is no province-wide grant to families, but some school divisions reimburse home-based education costs from their own budgets, with their own limits, deadlines and receipt rules.
• British Columbia: registered homeschoolers receive no funding. Families who want publicly funded resources often choose an online learning school instead — but that is enrolment in a school following the BC curriculum, not homeschooling.

Elsewhere, assume you are paying your own way, and ask your school board or division what, if anything, it offers — such as textbook loans or access to resources.

In a supervised program, Alberta's funding is shared between the supervising school authority and the family. Older official forms describe a 50/50 split: half goes to the school authority to support the student, and half is available to the parent for eligible materials and services, usually reimbursed against receipts.

The 2023/24 declaration form listed the parent portion as up to $901 per student in Grades 1–12 and $450.50 for Kindergarten (ECS). Families can transfer unclaimed parent funds to the school authority using a declaration form due by August 31.

Timing matters: the alberta.ca page says students are not eligible for funding if their home education program is accepted after September 29. Check the current amount and rules with your supervising board, because figures can change from year to year.

For most families, the largest cost of homeschooling isn't books — it's the income a parent gives up or reduces to teach. Before you start, look honestly at your budget with one income, or with reduced hours.

Families make this work in different ways: one parent works part-time or from home, parents split teaching across the week, a grandparent helps out, or older children work more independently while a parent works. Our guide to homeschooling while working has practical schedules.

Government family benefits such as the Canada child benefit are based on family income and children's ages, not on whether a child attends school. If a child has a disability, the child disability benefit is paid with the Canada child benefit to families with a child who qualifies for the disability tax credit.

Costs vary so much that a single "average" figure isn't very useful. Instead, think in categories:

• Core curriculum: a math program and reading or language arts resources are the main must-haves. Many families spend most of their budget here.
• Books: your public library can cover a large share of reading, especially if you place holds ahead of time.
• Science and hands-on materials: basic kits, a microscope or lab supplies for older students.
• Activities: sports, music lessons, swimming, art classes and co-op fees often cost more than curriculum.
• Outings: museum and science centre memberships, park passes and field trips. Family or annual passes usually pay off quickly.
• Technology: a computer, internet access and a printer, plus any subscriptions.
• High school courses and exams: online or correspondence courses for credits, and any testing fees.

Set a rough annual budget for each category and review it after the first term.

Costs often rise in the teenage years, when students want credits toward a provincial diploma or need specialist teaching in senior math and sciences.

• Ontario: homeschooled students under 18 can take courses with TVO's Independent Learning Centre (ILC) if they upload their board's response to the annual homeschool letter; check the ILC for current fees.
• British Columbia: registered homeschoolers in Grades 10–12 can take online learning courses while staying registered as homeschoolers, and public online courses are generally free for eligible BC students.
• Prince Edward Island: the notice of intent form notes that using provincial curriculum materials can involve a small fee per child.

Ask what courses cost before you commit to a high school plan, and see our homeschool high school guide for the options in more detail.

In general, everyday homeschooling costs such as curriculum, books and supplies aren't tax deductible in Canada.

One narrow exception is worth knowing about if your child has a learning disability or mental impairment. The Income Tax Act lists tutoring as an eligible medical expense where a medical practitioner certifies in writing that the person needs it because of their condition, the tutoring is supplementary to the person's primary education, and the tutor is in the business of tutoring and not related to the student. How this applies when parents provide the primary education at home isn't spelled out in what we found, so talk to the Canada Revenue Agency or a tax professional before you claim.

Before buying anything, try what's free:

• Your public library: books, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and often free programs, museum passes and maker spaces.
• Provincial online resources: for example, TVO Learn offers free Ontario curriculum-linked resources for Kindergarten to Grade 12, which any family can use.
• Second-hand curriculum: homeschool groups often hold curriculum swaps and used-book sales.
• Nature and community: parks, trails, community centres and local events cost little and teach a lot.

Our resource directory lists Canadian free and low-cost options by category.