Where to Find Free or Low-Cost Tutoring for Your Child

Many parents have concerns if they see their child struggling in school. However, conventional tutoring services aren’t always accessible to individuals with lower incomes. Luckily, there are alternatives to some of the tutoring centers you may see advertised on television. In fact, some are quite affordable or may even be free.

If you are interested in finding low-cost tutoring options for your child, here are some places to start.

The School
Even though there are no laws mandating schools offer low-income families access to free tutoring programs, many do. This can include afterschool programs that offer homework help options or one-on-one sessions with teachers or classroom aides to help ensure children are fully grasping the materials. In some cases, there are fees associated with the services. However, they may be more affordable than private tutoring, and there may be funds available to offset the cost for low-income families.

To gain access to these offerings, you may need to speak directly with your child’s teacher of the school administrators to see what is available and if there are any eligibility requirements for the program.

 
Local Organizations
There is a range of local organizations that may provide access to free or low-cost tutoring options for low-income families. If you attend religious services, then it can be wise to speak with the organization’s leadership to see if tutoring is available or if they have a program to help offset the costs of private tutoring.

Other civic organizations may have tutors available, such as the local YMCA. In some cases, students must be referred by their school for assistance, but it may allow your child to have access to free or low-cost tutoring options that may otherwise be unavailable.

For children with certain learning challenges, such as dyslexia, area non-profits focused on those diagnosed with the condition may provide tutoring services to assist struggling students. The exact eligibility requirements may vary, but they can be ideal when your child has a specific learning disability and would be best served by a tutor familiar with the condition.

Study Groups
Sometimes the easiest way to help your child get the assistance they need is through study groups. These can be formed with other students in the class, allowing them to help each other, or more formally with an outside tutor. In cases where a tutor is hired, parents can split the cost of the service between them, allowing everyone to have access to the tutor without the cost traditionally associated with private tutoring.

This approach can also be ideal if certain parents are capable of assisting students in specific subjects, but not overall. Then parents can spread out the duties based on their areas of expertise, providing homework help and guidance on specific subjects while other parents cover areas with which they are less familiar.

While it can take time to coordinate tutoring services when you need to find free or low-cost options, it is often worth the effort. Begin exploring what your community has to offer, and you may be surprised by the number of options that are actually available.

 
Additional Free Resource For Students
As education is the foundation of creating a literate and productive society, it’s important for everyone to get a fair go. Fortunately in the US there are numerous services available to help all kids have the chance to a good education. Below are numerous links to information on how to get aid in school supplies for low income families.

- Learn about different programs that provide a range of free school supplies

- See how your family may be able to get a free computer or laptop

- For teenagers and young adults, learn where you can get loans for students and in addition to loans learn about financial aid and grants.