It can be difficult transitioning from homeschooling to a college or university, especially when the costs are higher than they have been. Private and federal student aid and scholarships for homeschoolers are available to help homeschoolers achieve higher education.
Most colleges offer a scholarship program for enrolled students and those who received home education, encouraging homeschoolers to further their education at an accredited university or trade school program. These opportunities can help homeschooling families support their students in attending their dream school.
We reviewed several well-known scholarship platforms, including national sites like Bold.org. Each platform was closely evaluated for its features, particularly those that cater to the unique educational paths of homeschoolers, such as flexibility in scholarship requirements concerning traditional transcripts and GPA metrics. We also consulted with educational experts who specialize in homeschooling to understand better the challenges these students face in accessing scholarship opportunities and which features of the platforms are most beneficial.
Through this detailed and rigorous process, Bold.org stood out as the top choice. It excelled in offering a diverse range of scholarships accessible to homeschooled students and provided a user-friendly interface and strong privacy protections. Below you’ll find a curated list of scholarships for home school students.
Are you ready to showcase your academic achievement and win scholarship awards? Apply for scholarships now!
Types of Scholarships for Homeschoolers
Homeschooled students have access to a broad range of scholarships tailored to their unique educational backgrounds. These include:
Merit-Based Scholarships: These are awarded based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, or creative talents. Test scores and GPA are the most common ways to assess merit, but merit-based scholarships are not always limited to academic excellence.
Community Service Scholarships: For students who demonstrate significant involvement and leadership in community service projects or within their community.
Hobby or Special Interest Scholarships: For students with specific hobbies or interests such as music, art, science, or writing.
Faith-Based Scholarships: Offered by religious organizations to students who actively participate in their faith community.
Scholarships for Specific Majors or Careers: For college students who intend to pursue particular fields of study in higher education.
Need-Based Scholarships: Need-based or financial scholarships are a form of aid for undergraduate or graduate students who require financial assistance to pursue higher education. Financial scholarships are independent of merit scholarships.
Athletic Scholarships: An athletic scholarship is an opportunity awarded to a student-athlete. These are typically university-specific scholarships awarded based on the student’s athletic abilities and how they can contribute to a team. A coach decides who receives scholarships and how much they are awarded, whether the student is homeschooled or from high school.
Location-Based Scholarships: Local scholarships are a great way to help homeschoolers pay for school. Scholarship providers like to see people from their community succeed, so they often offer local scholarships only to residents of a particular geographic region. These scholarships for a homeschooled student can be measured through community service or community outreach, even though a Christian service is like a missions program.
Texas homeschool graduates applying for scholarships will benefit from these specific Texas scholarships. Apply today!
How to Find Homeschooler Scholarships
Finding scholarships for homeschoolers involves several strategies:
- Online Scholarship Databases: Use reputable sites like Bold.org to filter scholarships that are open to homeschoolers.
- Local Homeschool Networks and Associations: Many local and state homeschool associations offer scholarships or have listings of local scholarship resources.
- Colleges and Universities: Many institutions offer scholarships that are accessible to homeschooled students, especially those that actively recruit homeschoolers.
- Community Organizations and Businesses: Look for scholarships offered by local businesses, civic groups, and organizations based on residence, community service, or other criteria.
It’s also essential to conduct additional research to ensure any website or scholarship you discover is legit and accepted by the school or university you want to attend or are currently attending. You could also contact your school’s financial aid office to see if they offer any relevant internal scholarships.
How to Apply for Homeschooler Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather Documentation: Compile all necessary documentation, including transcripts, standardized test scores, proof of homeschooling status, and any other required paperwork.
- Research Scholarships: Identify scholarships for which you are eligible and that align with your achievements and interests.
- Prepare Your Applications: Tailor each application to the specific scholarship. Write personalized essays, gather tailored recommendations, and ensure all application components reflect your strengths and qualifications.
- Adhere to Deadlines: Organize scholarship deadlines using a calendar or planner to ensure no deadline is missed.
- Submit Applications: Review each application for completeness and accuracy before submitting.
Tips For Winning a Homeschooler Scholarship
Brushing up on some best practices can enhance your chance of securing top homeschooler scholarships. Here are several of our favorite tips:
Tip 1: Stay Active
Platforms like Bold.org constantly update their scholarship listings. By creating a robust profile and staying active, you can be among the first candidates to know about new scholarship opportunities tailored to your background and educational goals.
Tip 2: Showcase Your Homeschool Experience
Highlight how homeschooling has prepared you academically and personally, emphasizing self-directed learning, diverse educational experiences, and any unique projects or pursuits.
Tip 3: Seek Recommendations Early
Obtain letters of recommendation from a variety of sources who can speak to your abilities, character, and educational experience, such as tutors, community leaders, or mentors in areas of your interest.
Tip 4: Apply for Several Scholarships
As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, scholarship opportunities are vast for homeschoolers. There are a variety of scholarships, such as essay contests, grants, loans, government-funded scholarships, and more. The more applications you submit, the higher your odds of success.
Tip 5: Refine Your Writing Skills
Many scholarships require personal essays for an applicant to be considered. Scholarship selection committees use these writing samples to get to know you better and discover what makes you unique. Knowing how to impress the judges with these skills can make you stand out and potentially win the award.
Tip 6: Review the Selection Criteria
To avoid missing out on an opportunity, make a checklist of the required documents for each scholarship program you wish to apply to. This list can include:
- Test scores (either from standardized tests or from academic tests during the school year)
- Homeschool transcript
- Letters of recommendation
- Homeschool high school diploma (or proof of home education)
- Language certifications
- Financial need (some scholarships have specific income eligibility guidelines)
- Any college credit amassed through a program while attending post-secondary education.
Tip 7: Try Your Best
Hard work pays off, and you need to be willing to go the extra mile to reach your goals. There are countless other applicants with similar skills and accomplishments as you, so you need to prove what makes you stand out and what makes you worthy of being declared the winner.
Tip 8: Be Thorough and Professional
Treat your scholarship applications with the same level of seriousness as your college applications. Ensure that your applications are meticulously completed and free of errors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooler Scholarships
Do Colleges Favor Homeschoolers?
Colleges and universities evaluate homeschoolers based on the same criteria as other applicants. While homeschooling itself isn’t a deciding factor, homeschoolers’ unique experiences and self-directed learning can be appealing. Moreover, many institutions, such as Stanford, explain their admissions policies for homeschoolers and have admitted them in the past.
How Do I Add Homeschool to My FAFSA?
When completing the FAFSA, homeschoolers should be able to select an option that indicates they have a “homeschool high school diploma.” It’s essential to adhere to the eligibility requirements and have the necessary documentation, such as proof of home education, ready when applying.
Does Harvard Accept Homeschoolers?
Yes, Harvard accepts homeschoolers who meet their admissions requirements, and the same criteria are used for other students. All applicants must submit a transcript (whether created by a family member or an agency) and letters of recommendation in addition to any relevant information they wish to include.
How Many Homeschooler Scholarships Can You Get?
Homeschooled children can receive multiple scholarships as there is no limit to how many scholarships a student can be awarded. Getting a “full-ride” (which means your entire tuition is paid off in scholarships or by the university) is possible for homeschooled students, depending on the available programs and their qualifications.
Can Homeschoolers Qualify for State-Funded Scholarships?
Yes, many state-funded college scholarships are available to homeschool students, especially those that are merit-based. Check your state’s Department of Education website for specific eligibility requirements.
What Is the Craig Dickinson Memorial Scholarship?
The Craig Dickinson Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 to a student who has excelled in their chosen path of education. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who were home-educated for at least the last two years.
During your high school career and even during your college studies, it’s important to think about scholarship opportunities. Applying early helps you get a head start. Apply today!
Paulla Estes
Paulla Estes, holding a B.A. in English Literature from George Mason University, showcases her expertise in writing and communication through her influential articles for Scholarship Institute. She focuses on creating review articles and recommendations that guide students in exploring educational funding.
