Scholarships for Homeschool Graduates

College tuition, especially at private Christian schools, can be daunting. To give your homeschooler more options and lighten the burden of student loans, your family can consider the various scholarship options. To help, we’ve put together a list of scholarship programs especially for homeschoolers.

National Merit Scholarship Program
Homeschoolers applying for a $2,500 National Merit scholarship need to plan in advance. To even be considered, homeschoolers must take the PSAT/NMSQT exam no later than the third year of high school. If students score competitively on that test, they can submit a scholarship application in their senior year by following the steps laid out on the National Merit website.

The Al Clements Memorial Scholarship
This $300 scholarship is awarded to two students each year. To qualify for this scholarship, students must have been homeschooled for the last two years of high school, show a record of community service, and have a competitive score on the SAT/ACT. The application also requires applicants to write a personal essay about future career and life goals.

There is an administrative fee of $20 to apply for this scholarship as you are required to be a member of ARCH by October 1 the year before applying for the scholarship.

Craig Dickinson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship from Home Education Recognition Organization, Inc. (HERO) is a one-time award of $1,000 to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence. To qualify, applicants must be graduating seniors who were homeschooled for at least the last two years of high school. The scholarship is only awarded to seniors who plan to attend college in the school year following their high school graduation.

Mason Lighthouse Scholarship
Also awarded yearly by HERO, this scholarship is for service-minded students. This one-time award of $1,000 is given to an exceptional individual who has been like a lighthouse, serving diligently in his/her homeschool, church, or civic community.

Qualifying applicants must be graduating seniors who were homeschooled for their 4 years of high school. To receive this award, graduates must have plans to begin an educational program in a trade school, college, or university or enter a missions program no later than the following school year.

State of the Arts Scholarship
HERO’s third and final yearly scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 for a homeschooled student who has plans to study performing or visual arts past high school. To qualify, applicants must be homeschooled for all four years of high school and should demonstrate significant experience in the arts (dance, music, theatre, or studio art). Applicants must graduate and begin an educational program in an art school, college, or university no later than the fall after graduation.

HSLDA Quarterly Contests
These one-time cash awards are not specific to graduating seniors, but they can be used towards college funds. HSLDA hosts essay, art, poetry, and photo contests each year with varying cash prizes for winners, as well as honorable mentions.

STATE-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Florida: FPEA Foundation

Members of the Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA) have multiple scholarships they can apply for, including college-specific scholarships for up to 50% off tuition. To qualify, you must be a member of FPEA, and the applicant must be a Florida resident.

North Carolina: Morgan R. Gray Memorial Fund
This grant provides enrichment and/or scholarship support to homeschool students. To qualify for a grant, Applicants must be a homeschool student in Rowan County or a member of THE Rowan County Home School Association (RCHSA).

Washington: Emmet Comer Scholarship
Win up to $1,000 with this essay writing scholarship from Washington Homeschool Organization. To enter, applicants must write and submit a brief essay on the benefits of homeschooling. Parents must also submit the student’s transcript or homeschool record and complete a brief application form.

SCHOOL SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
If your student already knows where he or she will be attending after graduation, you can check if that college has any guaranteed scholarships. Guaranteed scholarships are available to all students who meet a certain criteria. For guaranteed scholarships, there is no application. An unlimited number of students can receive guaranteed scholarships in any given year, as long as they meet the specific criteria. (View these examples of guaranteed scholarships. Note that these are not specific to homeschoolers, but homeschoolers may meet the various criteria.)

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