Maryland families have more options for funding math tutoring than many realize.
Today, we'll cover the BOOST scholarship, expanded 529 savings plans, and several other funding paths, along with what each covers, what the eligibility requirements are, and what to check before moving forward.
Families considering Mathnasium or any supplemental math support will find this a practical starting point for building a plan.
The Maryland Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) scholarship is a state-funded program that provides income-based awards to eligible K-12 students attending participating nonpublic schools.
To qualify, a student and household must meet the following criteria:
Students must meet the BOOST program’s income thresholds, which are based on free and reduced‑price meals eligibility as defined by the Maryland State Department of Education for the applicable year
Students must be enrolled or accepted at a participating nonpublic school for the upcoming school year
Pre-K students are not eligible
Priority goes to returning recipients and siblings of current recipients
Demand consistently exceeds available funding, so not every eligible applicant receives an award
BOOST opens each spring for the upcoming school year.
The 2026-2027 parent application window closed on May 8, 2026. For the next cycle, families should watch the official BOOST page for updated dates, typically released in late winter. The BOOST Program Information Guide contains full eligibility and application details.
Before applying, parents need to understand one important boundary about what BOOST funds can be used for.
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BOOST funds help eligible families pay tuition at participating nonpublic schools. The program does not pay standalone tutoring centers like Mathnasium directly.
The scholarship can still affect a household budget in a practical way. For example, families who receive assistance with private-school tuition may have more room for supplemental math support.
For families looking for a more direct path to funding qualified tutoring expenses, a recent change to federal law opened a new possibility worth exploring.
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A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged education savings account that many families already use to save for future educational expenses.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, expanded 529 education savings plans to include qualified K-12 tutoring expenses, which gives Maryland families a potential federal tax-advantaged path to fund supplemental math instruction.
Here is what the expansion confirms under federal law:
The annual K-12 withdrawal limit is up to $10,000 per student for 2025, rising to $20,000 starting with the 2026 tax year
For your tutoring costs to qualify under current 529 rules, you’ll need to choose a tutor who meets specific criteria: they can’t be related to your child, and they typically must be a licensed teacher, a current or former K–12 teacher, or a verified subject‑matter expert in the topic.
A 529 plan may cover qualified tutoring expenses at a center like Mathnasium if the expense qualifies, but this depends on whether the specific program and instructor meet federal criteria.
One important Maryland-specific caution applies here. While the federal tax benefit is established under the new law, Maryland's state tax treatment of these expanded 529 distributions has not been confirmed from a Maryland-specific primary source as of this writing.
Parents should consult a Maryland CPA or tax advisor before assuming their state return will match the federal treatment.
For families who do not yet have a 529 account, Maryland residents can deduct up to $2,500 per beneficiary per year in contributions to a Maryland College Investment Plan from their state income tax, as described in the Maryland 529 plan materials.
Now, let’s compare the main differences between BOOST and a 529 plan.
| Financial Feature | Maryland BOOST Scholarship | 529 Education Savings Plan |
| Funding Source | State-funded scholarship program | Tax-advantaged family savings account |
| Direct Tutoring Coverage | No. It supports participating nonpublic school tuition | May cover qualified tutoring if the tutoring expense qualifies under federal rules |
| Annual Limit | Award amount varies by eligibility and available funding | Annual withdrawal limits apply under federal rules |
| Eligibility Control | Income- and school-enrollment requirements apply | No income requirements to open an account |
| Long-Term Use | For the eligible school year only | Funds can remain in the account for future education uses, subject to plan rules |
Several other funding paths may also be available depending on a family's circumstances.
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Beyond BOOST and 529 plans, Maryland families have additional options to explore before paying full out-of-pocket tutoring costs.
Maryland has formula funding in place to support tutoring for learners who are struggling with math through local school districts. Parents can contact their child's school directly to ask whether high-impact tutoring is available and whether their child qualifies.
This option is school-administered and does not involve Mathnasium directly.
Families can contribute up to $2,000 per year per child to a Coverdell ESA. Withdrawals for qualified K-12 educational expenses, including tutoring that meets federal eligibility criteria, are tax-free at the federal level. Income limits apply, and parents should confirm current rules with a tax advisor.
In specific circumstances where a child has a documented learning difference and a physician prescribes tutoring as medically necessary, FSA or HSA funds may cover tutoring costs. This applies to a narrow set of situations and requires formal documentation.
Parents should confirm eligibility with their benefits administrator before assuming coverage.
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Many families combine more than one funding source when building a tutoring budget. The following checklist summarizes the most important details for each option.
| Funding Route | What It Covers | Current Status | Next Step |
| Maryland BOOST Scholarship | Private-school tuition only | 2026-2027 cycle closed. Watch for the next cycle in early spring | Check the official BOOST page for updated dates |
| 529 Plan expanded via One Big Beautiful Bill Act | Qualified tutoring, subject to federal limits | Active under federal law. Maryland state tax treatment is unconfirmed | Confirm tutor qualifications with Mathnasium of California MD, then consult a Maryland CPA |
| Maryland 529 State Deduction | Up to $2,500 per beneficiary per year deducted from Maryland state income tax on contributions | Active now | Open or contribute to a Maryland College Investment Plan |
| Coverdell ESA | Qualified K-12 educational expenses including tutoring, up to $2,000 per year | Active now. Income limits apply | Confirm eligibility with a tax advisor |
| FSA or HSA | Rare medical-necessity cases | Active now. Requires physician documentation | Request a formal assessment and submit documentation to your benefits administrator |
Whatever funding path applies, the practical starting point is understanding exactly where a child stands mathematically.
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At Mathnasium, we believe families should have as much clarity about a student's needs as they do about the cost of support. Both are important parts of a successful math plan.
Mathnasium is a math-only learning center dedicated to helping K-12 students of all skill levels excel in math.
Parents who explore funding options for tutoring often have the same question: “How will that support help my child make meaningful progress in math?”
The answer depends on the student. Some need help strengthening foundational skills, while others are ready for additional support or challenge.
Rather than placing every student into the same program, we tailor instruction to each child's individual needs. That personalized approach helps families make informed decisions about the type and level of support their child needs.
We do this through the Mathnasium Method™, our proprietary teaching approach. Here is how it works:
Assessment and Personalized Learning Plans: Each student starts with a diagnostic assessment that identifies current skills, strengths, and gaps. From those findings, we build a personalized learning plan tailored to their goals, whether that means closing learning gaps, strengthening foundational skills, or preparing for more advanced math.
Teaching for Understanding: Our specially trained tutors use natural language and a mix of verbal, visual, mental, tactile, and written techniques to help students understand concepts before moving on to new material.
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: We allow time for productive struggle so students can rely on their own reasoning. When we step in, we make sure to show both the how and the why behind the answer. Over time, this helps students build their own problem-solving skills and critical thinking tools.
An Engaging and Fun Learning Environment: Sessions include games, earned rewards, and consistent celebration of progress. Students build confidence alongside fluency, and many develop a more positive relationship with math over time.
Our approach delivers measurable results:
94% of parents report improvement in their child's math skills and understanding
93% of parents report an improved attitude toward math after attending Mathnasium
90% of students saw improvement in their school grades
With over 1,100 learning centers across North America, there is likely a Mathnasium close to you.
Families across California MD and and nearby areas, including Leonardtown, Hollywood, and Wildwood, trust Mathnasium of California MD to help their children build real math confidence at every level.
If you are ready to find out exactly where your child stands and what support they need, our team is ready to help.
📅 Schedule a Free Assessment at Mathnasium of California MD
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Mathnasium of California MD is a math-only learning center for K-12 students in California, MD. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students both in center and online to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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