Blog

Pursuing scholarships for homeschoolers is important, yet you may find yourself impatiently wondering how long it will take to learn what your child will be offered! Keep in mind that scholarships come in waves. They don't all come at once, and they don't all come when you receive college admission. And, unfortunately, they don't all come by the time you have to decide on your college, either. To say the least, they certainly don't come when it's convenient, that's for sure.

Three Waves of Scholarships

Scholarships come in waves.

The first wave is scholarship money based on application numbers. That means the score on the SAT® or ACT®, and GPA. That's one reason why I suggest providing grades on your transcript. You really want those GPA-based scholarships! You are a REAL teacher, and your grades are real as well. Schools regularly allot scholarships for homeschoolers, so be sure to make the most of this opportunity!

The second wave of scholarships is based on the FAFSA® and what the government considers your financial need. Stop laughing! I realize the government has no idea what you can afford to pay for college, LOL! Don't shoot the messenger!

The third wave involves the scholarships children get that are based on special merit or skill.

Boatloads of Money

I can't provide specifics about what score will earn what scholarship. The ONLY way to find specifics is to check at each college where you will apply. There are no short cuts. However, even a small bump in a test score can pay HUGE dividends, meaning thousands of dollars per quarter, and tens of thousands per year - adding up to a 40K difference for just a few points on the SAT. That's why practicing for high school tests and studying daily academics is a big deal. You may not go from average to perfect, but test prep can increase your child's test scores which can translate to more scholarships for homeschoolers. That can mean big money - from $3,000 per quarter to $6,000 per quarter. That's a boatload of real dollars for real parents!

Taking the Tests

Dearest teenagers, there are lots of ways to prepare for taking the SAT® or ACT® tests. One way is to practice. If you have spent time practicing for these high school tests, you will be familiar with not only the format, but the language of the tests. You'll be so prepared, it will almost feel like you are cheating when you go in to take the test!

The other way to prepare is to study. No, I'm not asking you to study specifically for the test itself, but do your best at your daily school work. It really is key when it comes to having the knowledge you'll need when you go take the test. You can be more prepared than you think simply by working hard at the daily academic work you are already doing.

Hard Work Pays Off

Here's what Debbie wrote after her daughter earned scholarships:

"I thought I would also take this chance to thank you for your assistance with my daughter's transcript and course descriptions. The information that I learned in your book, seminars, and talking with you personally gave me the confidence and knowledge to create a solid presentation of records. She received multiple scholarship offers. She turned down a full tuition scholarship at one school to accept a three quarter tuition (plus more with music) at the school she really wanted to attend. She was the only homeschooler invited to their scholarship competition weekend. She was also accepted into their honors program and is so excited to be attending in the fall. I now am ready and equipped to work on my sixteen year old's transcript next and on down the line with the next four! Thank you again for all of your help." ~ Sincerely, Debbie

Resources ~ Learn More

Whatever you do, remember that schools regularly give scholarships for homeschoolers, and take the steps that Debbie took! Be prepared with transcripts, course descriptions, information on college admission, and seek personal help when you need it.

Learn what you can about the interview process in this article: How to Win a Scholarship Competition

If your child tests well, learn about the National Merit Scholarship: National Merit Scholarship Information for Homeschoolers

Training and resources for creating transcripts: The Total Transcript Solution

Training and resources for transcripts plus course descriptions: The Comprehensive Record Solution

My book on college admission: The HomeScholar Guide to College Admission and Scholarships

Workshops, tools, templates, and one-on-one support: The Gold Care Club

Help for beginners: The High School Solution

Learn more in my book review below!

SAT®, AP®, and CLEP® are trademarks owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this blog post or The HomeScholar, LLC.

FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education