Nebraska Homeschool Laws and Funding (2026-27)

What Nebraska’s law requires

The law that allows it: Under Section 79-1601, parents may educate their child at home by electing not to meet state approval or accreditation requirements. Nebraska calls these exempt schools.

“may educate their child at home by electing not to meet State approval or accreditation requirements (Section 79-1601 R.R.S.)” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School [Home School] Program

Section 79-1601 says the election takes effect when the Commissioner of Education receives a statement signed by a parent, legal guardian or educational decisionmaker of each student.

“an election pursuant to such subsections shall be effective when a statement is received by the Commissioner of Education signed by a parent, legal guardian, or educational decisionmaker of each student” Nebraska Revised Statute 79-1601 (schools that elect not to meet accreditation or approval)
Telling the state or district: The department says the filing deadline is July 15 of each year the school will operate, online or on paper.

“The deadline is July 15 of each year the school will be in operation” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year

The department, not the parent, notifies the resident public school district of the filing.

“NDE will provide the official notification to your resident public school district” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year
What and how long to teach: The law requires a sequential program of instruction leading to basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and health.

“maintain a sequential program of instruction designed to lead to basic skills in the language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health” Nebraska Revised Statute 79-1601 (schools that elect not to meet accreditation or approval)

The department says the minimum is 1,032 hours a year for elementary grades (K to 8) and 1,080 hours for secondary grades (9 to 12).

“The minimum hours of instruction are 1032 for elementary grades (K-8) and 1080 hours for secondary grades (9-12).” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year
Testing or evaluation: The department says standardized testing is not required of exempt school students.

“Such testing is not required of exempt school students.” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year
Records to keep: The department says record keeping is not addressed in Rule 13 and that it does not collect grades or require progress reports, though it advises keeping attendance and a transcript.

“NDE does not collect grades or require progress reports; the exempt school parent representative is responsible for their own recordkeeping.” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year
Who may teach: People teaching in an exempt school do not have to hold a teaching certificate.

“shall not be required to meet the certification requirements prescribed in sections 79-801 to 79-815” Nebraska Revised Statute 79-1601 (schools that elect not to meet accreditation or approval)

The department says there are no formal educational qualifications for the person teaching.

“There are no formal educational qualifications.” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year

The law bars anyone convicted of certain listed felony offenses from monitoring or providing instruction at an exempt school.

“Individuals monitoring or providing instruction at a school which elects not to meet state accreditation or approval requirements shall not have been convicted of any felony offense” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School [Home School] Program
Ages the law covers: The department says filing is required for a child age 7 up to age 18; a 6 year old can instead have entry delayed to age 7 by an affidavit filed with the school district.

“is required to file for exempt status with the NDE for a child who is age 7 up to age 18” Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year

The state’s own page for families: Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt School [Home School] Program.

State money for homeschoolers in Nebraska

We have not found an official source saying a Nebraska program pays homeschooled students.

Programs that do not pay homeschoolers

Nebraska Department of Education. The department says no funding is available through it for exempt schools. (Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year)

Rule 4 Textbook Loan Program. Exempt schools cannot take part in the state's textbook loan program. (Nebraska Department of Education, Exempt (Home) School FAQs, 2026/27 school year)

School choice in Nebraska Private schools in Nebraska

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: Nebraska next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in Nebraska?

The department says the filing deadline is July 15 of each year the school will operate, online or on paper. The department, not the parent, notifies the resident public school district of the filing.

Do homeschoolers in Nebraska have to take tests?

The department says standardized testing is not required of exempt school students.

Can a homeschooler in Nebraska get state money?

We have not found an official source saying a Nebraska program pays homeschooled students. The department says no funding is available through it for exempt schools. Exempt schools cannot take part in the state's textbook loan program.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

Homeschooling in Nebraska: what the law requires and who pays

What Nebraska’s law requires

State money for homeschoolers in Nebraska

Programs that do not pay homeschoolers

Questions parents ask

Homeschool law in other states