How homeschoolers can apply and get into college

Per the Census Bureau, the rate of homeschooling in the U.S. reached 11.1% in early 2021. Many colleges and universities recognize that homeschool learners are effective, engaged students, same as those who have a traditional high school experience. As a result, homeschool students are often successful in their application for admission to colleges and universities. That’s true whether they’ve attended homeschool for part or all of their primary and secondary education. So, ultimately, whether a homeschool student gets into college comes down to their qualifications, same as it does for traditional high school students.

Preparing to apply to college

You should consider the following when applying to colleges:

• Transcripts

Every university requires that students share their transcripts — information about the courses they took, where they took them, credits earned, GPA and similar details — as part of their college application. These can be from high school, college, university or technical school.

You should review these specifics with an instructor or administrator, whether it’s a parent or someone else, to make sure everything has been accurately filled out. You want your transcript to fully reflect all academic achievements and include everything that demonstrates your aptitude for learning.

Keep in mind there’s no universal standard for a transcript, so it’s most important to include all requested information. Don’t worry about whether your transcript looks different than one issued by a local high school. Just make sure it’s complete and accurate.

• Extracurricular activities

Make sure you track and accurately document the activities you’ve participated in when you complete your application.

Clubs, sports, performing and fine arts and other extracurricular activities show that you can apply the talents developed in your education, like teamwork and critical thinking, to different situations. Additionally, you can build new skills, establish networks and even develop an interest that can inform decisions about your college major and career.

A club leader or coach can be an effective option for providing a letter of recommendation, especially for homeschool students who may not have many academic instructors to ask.

• Standardized test scores

Standardized test scores aren’t required by all colleges, but the scores you earn may inform the decisions of college staff and influence your eligibility to attend top schools. Additionally, some majors may require an ACT or SAT score as part of the admission process.

At ASU, for example, ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission, but may be submitted for course placement or as supplemental information.

Financial aid and scholarships for homeschoolers

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities can make it easier to attend college by reducing the amount you’ll need to pay up front and/or out of pocket. As a homeschool student, you can apply for many of the same programs as learners from a traditional school.

Every student can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if they’re eligible for this type of assistance. There are many more forms of aid to consider, including:

• Grants, which usually don’t need to be repaid.
• Loans, which do need to be repaid, but can be more accessible.
• Scholarships, which may have conditions for the continuing provision of funds, but also usually don’t need to be repaid.

Find out more about financial aid options available to ASU Online students.

Why homeschool students should consider earning an online degree

Some students who receive homeschooling are accustomed to dividing time between the classroom in their home, courses taken at a local school or community college and extracurricular activities. This experience can support success with the divided schedules that are common in online learning.

Additionally, students who have completed online education programs as part of their homeschooling experience already have a background in this type of learning. This past experience can make an easier transition to earning a college degree in the same way.

Other advantages that come with online learning include avoiding the need to move closer to campus to pursue a high-quality education. By staying in your current location and eliminating  the need to commute to campus, you may find it easier to balance personal, academic and work commitments.

Select the degree program that’s right for you

• Make sure to review the offerings of the schools you’re considering before you apply to them (and before you commit to any institution). At ASU Online, we offer more than 150 undergraduate programs.
• You should also consider the guidance that enrollment coaches can provide to learn more about potential areas of study and the many programs available. Instead of choosing a specific degree first, you could work with your enrollment coach to identify areas of study that align with your interests and professional goals, then narrow down the relevant options.
• If you want to get enrolled and start taking classes but still haven’t decided on a major, one of our exploratory degree tracks may be best for you. You’ll choose from four exploratory tracks, each focused on a broad topic of interest and composed of a three-semester major map, culminating in the declaration of a major no later than after the completion of 45 credit hours.

ASU Online is proud to offer all students an exceptional educational opportunity:

• You’ll earn the same accredited degree as you would on campus. Plus, ASU’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
• You can access a wide range of support services that take personal and academic needs into account.
• Take courses led by the same experienced and recognized faculty who lead on-campus classes.