The Indiana Choice Scholarship is a school voucher program that helps families pay for private school. It offers state funding to eligible students and is the largest program of its kind in the U.S.
As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is the Indiana choice scholarship?
The Indiana Choice Scholarship Program is the biggest school voucher program in the U.S. It helps families pay for private school with state funds. For the 2024-25 school year, the average scholarship was $6,536 per student. This amount comes from either 90% of what a local public school spends or the full private school tuition—whichever is lower. In 2024-25, nearly $500 million was used, helping over 76,000 students at 373 schools. This funding is important, especially for homeschool families to understand.
Important clarification for homeschoolers
A key point often missed in school choice talks: the Indiana Choice Scholarship is meant only for private schools. If you’re homeschooling, this program won’t help you. You can’t use these funds for curriculum, tutoring, or any homeschool costs. The money goes directly to private school tuition. If you’re a homeschooler in Indiana, check out INESA (Indiana Education Scholarship Account). It’s a program for special needs students and their siblings, covering approved educational expenses, not just private school tuition.
Major change coming in 2026
In May 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1001. This law removes all income limits from the Choice Scholarship program. Starting July 2026, any family in Indiana can apply, regardless of income. This makes Indiana the 17th state to offer universal private school choice. It’s a big change that will likely increase participation. Remember, this change only affects private school eligibility, not homeschooling.
The bottom line
The Indiana Choice Scholarship is a great funding source—averaging $6,500 per student—but it’s only for private school tuition. If you're thinking about homeschooling in Indiana, this program won't assist with your costs. Look into INESA for special needs students or consider other options. For those weighing private school vs. other choices, the 2026 eligibility expansion makes the Indiana Choice Scholarship worth a look, no matter your income.
