Grants and scholarships for homeschoolers: What's out there?

I'm homeschooled and thinking about my financial aid options for college. Are there specific grants or scholarships I should know about that are tailored to homeschoolers? Any advice on navigating the application process would also be helpful.

Absolutely, there are a variety of scholarships and grants that specifically target homeschooled students for their achievements and unique perspectives.

For instance, "The Home School Foundation’s Homeschooling Family Scholarship" is designed specifically for homeschooled students, offering financial aid to those with a high need. If you happen to be part of a homeschooling organization, keep in mind that some local and national groups also offer scholarship programs exclusively for their members. So, remember to explore these resources too.

In addition to these, many general scholarships also consider homeschooled students. National Merit Scholarship Corporation, for example, offers scholarships based on PSAT scores. As a homeschooler, you can take the PSAT/NMSQT at a local high school or a testing location.

When it comes to navigating the application process, the first thing I would recommend is to ensure that your academic records are in order. This includes documentation of your courses, grades, standardized test scores, and any other pertinent academic information. An easy way to collect this data can be creating a homeschool portfolio. Further, I would also encourage you to seek out recommendation letters from adults, such as tutors, coaches, or community leaders, who can speak to your abilities, behavior, and accomplishments.

Next, fill out the FAFSA. Upon submitting the FAFSA, a Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated and sent to the colleges you're applying to, helping to determine how much need-based aid you can receive.

Lastly, stay organized, adhere to deadlines, and apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for—not just ones for homeschoolers, but also those based on academic merit, personal achievements, community involvement, etc.

Good luck with your scholarship and college application process!