Federal Financial Aid
Home Schooled students who satisfy the final regulations are eligible to receive financial aid without taking an ability-to-benefit test. Final regulations allow a home schooled student to be eligible for financial assistance if the student satisfies his or her state's requirements pertaining to home schools. If the sate requires a home schooled student to obtain a certificate of completion, then that becomes the requirement for the student to establish Title IV (federal) aid eligibility. (Source: NASFAA)
Pennsylvania State Financial Aid
If the home schooled student has completed a diploma program which is properly registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to issue secondary school graduation credentials for post-secondary school admittance and PHEAA grants and loans*, or if they are the recipient of a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (GED) they will receive consideration for PHEAA state aid, provided they file the FAFSA by the required deadline.
The following organizations have been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as diploma programs:
- Pennsylvania Home School Accreditation Agency
- Buxmont Christian Educational Institute, Inc.
- Erie County Home schoolers
- Susquehanna Valley Home School Diploma Programs, Inc.
- The Home School Academy/Northeast Christian Academy
- Mason-Dixon Home Schoolers
- Upattinas School .
Also, if a student was not in one of the organizations mentioned above, but certification has been received from the local school district superintendent that he/she complied with Public School Law 2413227, they are eligible. Students who reside in other states may want to contact their state's Board of Education to inquire about the requirements regarding college student aid. (*Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education)