Homeschooled high school graduates have specific scholarship options for college.
According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), there were 2.04 million homeschool students in the U. S. in 2010. College-bound students have choices in scholarships and grants earmarked exclusively for homeschooled high school graduates. Organizational affiliations, mission or ministry training, academic excellence and minimum GPA are examples of some specific award designations. These awards are available in selected homeschool-specific colleges, universities and states.
Virginia
Awarded for financial need, academic excellence and outstanding leadership, the Patrick Henry College Scholarship funds tuition to Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia. The college aims specifically to attract homeschoolers, and does not accept federal student loans. The scholarship is for Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) member families. Founded in 1983, HSLDA upholds the constitutional right of parents to guide the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Established in 1994, the foundation is the non-profit arm of HSLDA. Freshmen attending Patrick Henry College as full-time students, homeschooled through high school, are eligible for the scholarship. In 2010, freshman scholarships ranged between $1,000 and $2,000.
North Carolina, Indiana
In North Carolina, the Apologia Mission offers the North Carolinians for Home Education Award for Mission/Ministry Training. The award applies to homeschooled students in North Carolina whose goal is to train for ministry or missionary work. In 2011, the value of the scholarship was $1,000, renewable for up to four years. The Apologia Mission is the non-profit affiliate of Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.
The Apologia Mission also funds the Apologia Award for Academic Excellence, for homeschooled-students living in the State of Indiana. Only academic merit is a consideration for this award, valued at $2,000 in 2011, and renewable for up to four years. The Indiana Foundation For Homeschooling administers the award.
Illinois
Highland Community College in Northwest Illinois offers a Home School Scholarship for homeschool graduates who wish to earn an associate degree while enrolled full-time at the college. Administered by the Highland Community College Foundation, the scholarship applies to any field of study and has no residence requirement. A minimum 3.0 GPA is a prerequisite.
California
William Jessup College in Rocklin, California was the first private, four-year university in greater Sacramento. The college offers a competitive Homeschool Scholarship. A first-time freshman who completed all four years of high school in a homeschool program is eligible to apply. The scholarship is renewable annually, subject to the recipient maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. In 2011, the value of the scholarship was $5,000 per year.
Tags: high school, Apologia Mission, four years, Henry College, North Carolina, Patrick Henry