Homeschool Scholarships

With the sudden turn of events at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people transitioned from their offices to working from home. Simultaneously, students across the world began taking their on-site classes online. For the students who’ve grown to prefer the off-campus style of learning, home school scholarships may appeal to you. With 4.5 to 5 million students being homeschooled as of March 2021 from grades K-12, it’s no surprise that home school scholarships are in demand,

For the students who were homeschooled before the pandemic, the search for scholarships may be a bit more extensive. Many homeschoolers don’t have access to the benefits of on-campus high school counseling resources, so the search for opportunities may not come as easy as it does for the average in-school high school student. Luckily, whichever side of homeschooling you’re on, we’ve created a list of scholarship opportunities geared towards this unique side of education.

Note: This article provides a basic description for each of the listed scholarships. Please see the scholarship provider’s website for full application and eligibility requirements. This is a list to help you get started. This list does not include all scholarships available for homeschooled students.

Sonlight Scholarship

A Christian-based scholarship available to homeschooled students, the Sonlight scholarship is awarded to students who have bought a minimum of five (5) full Sonlight Curriculum programs. In addition, Sonlight applicants must meet “Green” or “Blue” Criteria, which influences the emphasis on certain factors like academic standing, spiritual mindedness, acts of kindness, etc. Visit the scholarship website to read more about the Sonlight Scholarship program.

Amount: $1,000 to $5,000 per year up to four years

Student Excellence Scholarship

Awarded to 100 Wisconsin high school graduates annually, the Student Excellence Scholarship is a competitive scholarship available for students of all backgrounds of education, including homeschooled students. Applicants must be residents of the State of Wisconsin and plan to attend a private or public university, college, or trade school. Read more about this scholarship opportunity on the scholarship website.

Amount: $10,000

Emmett Comer Scholarship

Created to honor Emmett Comer, a homeschool leader of Washington state, the Emmett Comer Scholarship is offered to Washington residents who are members of the Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) and planning to attend college. Students must submit an essay on how homeschooling has benefitted their life and education. Learn more on the scholarship resource page about this homeschool scholarship opportunity.

Amount: Up to $1,000

Zell Miller Scholarship

The Zell Miller scholarship is available for Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement who plan to attend a Zell Miller Scholarship eligible college or university. This scholarship is available for both in-school and homeschooled students. Learn more about the eligibility requirements, application process, and eligible schools on the scholarship website.

Amount: Varies by institution

HOPE Scholarship

This merit-based scholarship is for Georgia residents with a strong academic record who plan to attend a HOPE Scholarship eligible institution, and Georgians who complete a Home Study Program may qualify for this award. Homeschoolers could earn the scholarship as an entering freshman or retroactively after completing 30 semester hours of college courses. Learn more about the HOPE Scholarship on the scholarship website.

Amount: Varies by institution

NCHE Scholarship

The North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) Scholarship Program has been assisting homeschool graduates since 1988. It is for legal, full-time North Carolina homeschool students who are members of NCHE. There are several scholarship categories available, and applicants will be considered for all scholarships they qualify for; however, scholarship recipients can only earn one award each. For more information on the NCHE Scholarship and its qualifications, visit the scholarship website.

Amount: Varies

HSLDA Quarterly Contests

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) began with the mission of making homeschool possible for families throughout the United States. One way the organization pays it forward is through its quarterly contests for homeschoolers excelling in art, poetry, photography and writing. Students ages 7-19 can apply for this unique scholarship opportunity. Visit the contest website for more information.

Amount: Varies

Bryan College Homeschool Grant

The Bryan College Homeschool Grant is a renewable award for students who have been homeschooled for at least the last two years of their high school education. The grant is awarded upon acceptance. The Christian liberal arts college is located in Dayton, Tennessee. For more information on the homeschool grant, visit the college’s financial aid page.

Amount: $500

Central Christian College of Kansas Homeschool Scholarship

Central Christian College of Kansas offers a plethora of academic-, affiliate-, and participation-based scholarships to its students. The college offers a hefty scholarship for homeschooled students, and it is located in McPherson, Kansas. Visit the scholarship resource page for more information.

Amount: 50% of tuition

Nyack College Homeschool Grant

Nyack College, a Christian college and seminary in New York City, New York, offers a homeschool grant for freshmen and transfer students at the Rockland campus. Applicants must provide homeschool documentation verifying their attendance. To learn more about the homeschool grant and other financial aid, check out the college’s homeschooled students resource page.

Amount: Up to $2,000 per year

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get scholarships if you are homeschooled?

Homeschooled students have the ability to receive scholarships, but they normally have a different application process. Since most homeschooled students don’t have access to guidance counselors, the onus is more on the students to ensure they meet certain requirements for their submissions. For homeschooled students who haven’t yet submitted a scholarship application, the process may seem overwhelming or confusing. Luckily, for most scholarships you can contact the scholarship provider and ask any questions that you may need confirmation on. If you need further advice, check out our article on how to apply to scholarships.

Can you get need-based aid if you are homeschooled?

Homeschooled students can qualify to receive financial aid just like traditional students. The process for setting up your FAFSA as a homeschooled student is similar to that of a traditional student, but you would need to indicate that you are or were a homeschooled student. Though homeschooled students would select “Home schooled” instead of “High school diploma” to describe their high school completion status, homeschooled students may receive aid if they meet the need-based eligibility requirements.

Is it hard for homeschoolers to get into college?

It is not harder for homeschooled students than it is for traditionally schooled students to get into college. However, the application process does look different. The bulk of the work that a guidance counselor is responsible for falls on the parent, student, or homeschool administrator. Though homeschooled, students will still need to submit a transcript, a school report, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores for their college applications. Gathering the necessary information for your college application will vary depending on your homeschooling program, which may have transcripts and a school report readily available.

How many students are homeschooled?

According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), approximately 4.5 to 5 million students were being homeschooled in March 2021 in the United States.