All parents want the best for their children in everything -- including education. As such, they are prepared to go the whole nine yards just to provide their children high-quality education. There are even times when parents try to personally administer their children's studies and, in some cases, do the teaching themselves. Likewise, most parents also make certain that when their kids enter the academic world, they will not be affected by bad influences that abound in educational institutions these days. For this reason, an increasing number of moms and dads choose to homeschool their kids.
One reason parents prefer to have their sons and daughters taught at home rather than in schools is that they don't want to expose them to negative peer pressure. Another reason would be the belief that homeschooling is more effective than the conventional learning environment. After all, homeschooling allows parents to closely monitor their children's studies. However, due to the high financial cost of homeschooling, some parents cannot afford them. This is where homeschool scholarship programs of different foundations come in.

Qualifications and Requirements of Homeschool Scholarship Programs

The only qualified applicants for this scholarship are those that were approved by the government. More often than not, scholarship programs require certain papers to serve as proof that a student was genuinely given the approval to be homeschooled by the government. In most cases, scholarship foundations prefer homeschoolers who are active in the community. This is due to the fact that while homeschoolers are not able to participate in school activities, they are still expected to take part in various community events and services. Likewise, scholarship foundations require that a homeschooler should have a high grade point average -- usually between 2.5 to 3.0 -- and an outstanding mark on his professional assessment. It is also required that the student already took the SAT or the ACT. Moreover, for most scholarship programs, the age requirement for homeschooler applicants does not exceed 21 years old.
Apart from the usual requirements, most foundations also entail that applicants submit their student portfolios, which often include test papers, art projects, and essay writings. To guarantee that financial aid will be given to worthy candidates, foundations have also set up certain guidelines for homeschool plans. For this reason, a list of classes taken and will be taken are also submitted to the screening committee. Sometimes, letters of recommendation and personal testimonies may also be requested from the homeschool facilitator. Once an application is approved, additional evaluation reports, attendance records, and lesson plans may also be asked by the foundation.

Specific Scholarship Grant

A good example of foundation that offers homeschool scholarship is the Home School Foundation. It provides assistance through its established funds. The William and Berniece Grewcock Endowed Scholarships awards academic grants to students and homeschoolers of superior scholastic achievements. The student should have a 3.0 average grade in the exam and must have good moral values. Additional points are given to those who have led or participated in different socio-civic organizations. Educational grants are also offered by the Richardson Homeschool Association and Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Different foundations offer an average of $2,000 worth of educational grants for homeschoolers.
Even local government offers support for those who homeschool their children. Simply inquire to the nearest education department in your place or search through the Internet. There are many foundations that made their scholarships available not only for private and public school but also for homeschool. Hence, parents should carefully check if the usual scholarship programs they have searched are also available for homeschooling.

Tips

It is important to remember that even before applying in a foundation for a grant, one has to select the right academic scholarship first. Hence, you should not allot too much of your time on scholarship programs which do not suit your needs. Likewise, do not waste your effort on educational grant with criteria that you cannot meet. It is better to filter the Internet sites where you are searching and choose only the scholarship programs you prefer the most.

At the same time, it would be better if you come up with a short list of the top possible grant programs you think will give you a greater chance of passing. Thoroughly check if you match the qualities they are seeking for. Also, carefully examine if the amount of the scholarship that the foundation offers will satisfy your academic expenses. After checking the background information of each educational grant in your short list, you may begin downloading their guidelines and application forms, filling them out, and sending them for screening.