Related: Applying to college as a homeschooler guide
Jump ahead to…
- University-specific scholarships & grants
- How to win scholarships for homeschoolers
- Resources for homeschoolers
- Frequently asked questions
- Other scholarship pages to explore
University-specific scholarships & grants
Nyack College Homeschool Grant
- Eligibility: Freshman and transfer Nyack College students who are homeschool graduates
- Amount: Up to $2,000/yr.
- Deadline: Ongoing
THSC’s Patrick Henry College Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas homeschool graduates applying to Patrick Henry College (PHC)
- Amount: Between $1,000 and $3,000
- Deadline: March 1st of each year
GCU Evan C. Gary Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Homeschooled GCU students pursuing engineering, science, or pre-medicine. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 31 of each year
Homeschoolers at UW Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in or accepted to the University of Washington who received a homeschool high school diploma
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 31 of year
Bryan College Homeschool Grant
- Eligibility: Bryan College students who were homeschooled for at least the last two years of high school
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: Automatically applied upon acceptance
Central Christian College Scholarship
- Eligibility: Homeschool graduates attending the Central Christian College of Kansas
- Amount: 50% of tuition costs
- Deadline: Applied upon acceptance
How to win scholarships for homeschoolers
As you can see, there are many scholarships designed exclusively for homeschooled students. However, don’t be afraid to broaden your scholarship search to include more general awards that are not specific to homeschoolers. You’ll probably still be eligible for these scholarships, and you can even use your homeschooled background to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Scholarship committees review thousands of applications (which tend to blend together after a while) so your unique status as a homeschooled student could be an advantage.
Another great way to make sure your application gets noticed is to write a strong essay. Scholarship committees rely on essay submissions to understand who you are as a person, what you’re passionate about, and what you aim to accomplish. Fortunately, we have a variety of guides that will walk you through the process of writing a top-notch essay:
- How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)
- How to end a scholarship essay
- How to write a 250 word essay
- How to write a 500 word essay
- How to write an essay about yourself
- Overview of common scholarship essay prompts
- How to write a winning scholarship essay
Resources for homeschoolers
College Board College Planning for Homeschoolers
This page on College Board’s website includes a helpful overview of applying to college as a homeschooler, including tips on navigating standardized testing and AP exams. At the bottom of the page, there is a handy FAQ section that links to additional resources for homeschooled students.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an excellent place to gather information on applying to college as a homeschooled student. Read their overview, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and standardized test scores.
Also see: What to include on a homeschooled high school transcript (with template!)
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for homeschoolers
Can homeschooled students qualify for need-based financial aid?
Absolutely! Homeschoolers can and should complete financial aid applications like the FAFSA and the CSS Profile (as always, check with the colleges you are applying to for more details about their financial aid application requirements).
Need-based financial aid can include everything from Pell Grants to federal student loans to work study so you definitely don’t want to miss out!
Can you get into college if you’re homeschooled?
Certainly! Most colleges don’t even require a high school diploma from homeschooled students – typically a detailed portfolio of one’s coursework and standardized tests will suffice. Application processes differ by college, however, so make sure to reach out to specific colleges with questions that come up when applying.
Is the number of homeschoolers increasing?
In a normal year, around 3% of American school-aged children are homeschooled. However, with COVID-19 restrictions causing many children to attend school virtually, some experts expect an increase in the number of homeschooled students soon, due to a possible newfound liking for working from home.
Other scholarship pages to explore
- Top scholarships for high school seniors
- Top scholarships for women
- Top STEM scholarships
- Top easy scholarships
- Top scholarships for minority students
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