by Katherine O'Brien, ThD Candidate, Certified College Planning Specialist
If you’re a homeschooling family, you’ve already taken the road less traveled—and let’s be honest, you’ve probably had to figure out most of it yourself. That can be tough. Figuring it all out, then wondering if you’ve done enough.
From choosing curriculum to finding and exploring (or starting!) co-ops, from writing transcripts to understanding college entrance requirements, you’ve done your best to do what works best for your child(ren). But, when it comes to college planning, even the most seasoned homeschool families pause and wonder:
Are we on the right track? Are we missing something? Have we done enough and done it right? Will colleges accept my child’s accomplishments?
You’re not alone. College planning is hard for all families—but it can feel even more overwhelming for homeschoolers who don’t have a school counselor or easy access to the same resources as public or private school students. (In fact, most traditionally school students aren’t well supported or well informed, either.)
That’s why I created this list—to give you a starting place. Five things that every family with a college-bound student needs to know.
1. Figure out what college will really cost your family.
Colleges do post their prices on their websites. That’s the sticker price. What you need to know is what you and your student will need to pay. Not what your neighbor paid. Not the average cost from a search engine. Your actual out of pocket cost.
The actual cost of college, even for students attending the same college, is different for every family. It depends on your income, your assets, your student’s academic and extracurricular profile, your child’s income and assets — and how generous your state (for in-state public schools) and each college is with financial aid. Consequently, it can be a bit of a puzzle to figure out how much you’ll actually pay. And you want to know that BEFORE your student applies, gets accepted, and falls in love with a college. Some colleges have sticker prices close to $100,000 for ONE year of college. You NEED to know what you’ll actually pay.
There are two main types of financial aid to understand:
- Need-based aid is based on your financial situation and is calculated using the FAFSA form (and, at the 300 colleges that require it, the CSS Profile form). (There are a handful of colleges with their own form, instead of, or in addition to, these forms.) The amount of need based aid changes each year depending on your student and your income and assets, as well as what year your student is in college.
- Merit-based aid is awarded for things like grades, test scores, leadership, or talents. Most colleges will guarantee this aid for four years, as long as your student keeps up his or her GPA and stays enrolled full time. Most merit aid comes directly from the colleges. Private scholarships also exist. However, private scholarships lower need based aid eligibility dollar for dollar.
Your student might receive some of both—but unless you understand what’s available, what’s likely, and what each college offers, you’re flying blind.
It’s crucial to know what colleges will expect your family to pay—and whether that amount fits your budget. Guessing can cost you thousands.
👉 Use the colleges’ NET PRICE CALCULATOR to see what college will really cost your family. Then you can begin to build a custom plan that works.
2. Find trusted guidance early—don’t navigate this alone.
One massive difference between homeschooling and traditional schooling? No school counselor.
No one hands you college prep timelines, upcoming test dates, scholarship deadlines, or application tips when you homeschool. Sometimes that doesn’t happen in traditional schools, either. Or students are expected to be proactive and organized, traits most teens don’t yet possess.
That means you have to do all the counselor’s tasks—and, unless you’ve done this before, it’s a lot to take on – course selection, extracurriculars, emotional issues, learning differences, education support needs (equipment, tutoring, etc.), transcripts, testing, dual enrollment program selection and coordination, and college prep, including career exploration, internships, college and major selection, financial aid, and more.
With all of that on your plate, the earlier you get started, the better. Among other things, you’ll need to learn how financial aid works, how to compare colleges, how to build a strong college prep and application timeline.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I’m here. I homeschooled my six children, the youngest of which is a sophomore in college, and have been a professional college consultant since 2004. My first students are nearly old enough to hire me to help them with their own children.
👉 I have tools, timelines, and guidance built for families like yours.
3. Use standardized tests to win scholarships
Some colleges have test-optional admissions policies, which means students can apply with or without ACT or SAT scores. However, many colleges still use standardized test scores to award merit-based scholarships, even if they don’t require them for admission. (You can usually find notations about this in the fine print on their websites.)
Tests like the SAT and ACT can still be valuable tools for homeschool families.
Both are college entrance exams accepted by every college in the country. Your student can choose which one to take—colleges don’t prefer one over the other—and they can take either test multiple times to improve their score. (Read my recent blog on the shifts the ACT is in the midst of making.) https://collegeprepanswers.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-act-is-changing-in-2025.html
You’ll also want to look at the PSAT. Your student can take it in 10th grade as a practice run, and then again in 11th grade to qualify for National Merit Scholarships, which can lead to thousands of dollars in aid. I have a $10 booklet on using PSAT scores to win Scholarships. Email if you’re interested!
As a homeschooler, you’ll need to register for the PSAT through the testing coordinator at a local high school or testing center. Planning ahead is key. The ACT and SAT registration is online at their websites; the tests can be taken at a number of different sites. Register early to ensure your student will have a seat at a location convenient for you. Your student can also take AP Tests through your local high school. Please note that students do not need to take AP classes (which are available online to homeschooled students!) in order to take AP exams.
📚 Learn more about PSAT, SAT, and AP test dates and how to register via College Board https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/for-parents/planning-for-college/college-planning-for-homeschoolers
Learn more about ACT test dates and registration via ACT. Register just like any other student, except your school code is 969-999. https://my.act.org/account/signin
4. Get connected to scholarships and opportunities.
One of the biggest challenges families face in the college process is simply knowing what scholarships are out there. In a traditional school, students often hear about scholarship opportunities, college fairs, fee waivers, and campus events from their school counselor. As a homeschooler, you have to go looking for those opportunities—but they’re out there.
Start by tapping into local high schools, especially if they allow homeschool students to participate in college fairs or attend financial aid nights. Reach out to school counselors and ask if they can include you on scholarship email lists or let you attend relevant events.
Next, look into community-based organizations, homeschool co-ops, and regional college access groups. These groups often post about local scholarships, essay contests, and summer programs that are open to all students, not just those enrolled in public or private schools. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) hosts numerous college fairs each year to which all interested people are welcome.
Don’t forget: many colleges also host their own events—admissions presentations, preview days, or virtual Q&As—specifically designed to help students learn more about campus life and affordability. These are great ways for homeschoolers to connect directly with admissions reps and learn about aid options.
It takes more intention, but building your own information network pays off. In fact, this is exactly what the most successful students do, no matter what their school setting.
👉 Visit my college planning site to learn more about my College Success Program. Over the past decade, my students have been well prepared for college, with nearly 100% being accepted into their top choice program and school, and each been offered nearly $250,000 in merit scholarships, on average. https://www.celticcollegeconsultants.com/college-prep-services
5. Build a strong student resume—beyond academics.
Homeschoolers often do an amazing job when it comes to academics. But when it’s time to apply to college, it’s important to showcase the student’s entire array of accomplishments. That’s where a strong student resume comes in.
Have your teen think about what s/he does outside of core coursework:
- Volunteering
- Working part-time
- Taking significant family responsibilities
- Leading a class or club
- Pursuing creative passions such as music, art, or writing
- Participating in community theater, athletics, Scougin, or youth groups
- Starting a small business or launching a project
ALL of these things matter!! They show initiative, responsibility, interests, and a sense of purpose. They also help homeschoolers stand out in a college applicant pool.
Encourage your student to try new things, take on leadership roles, and document what they’re doing. The goal is to reflect who they really are and what they care about and are interested in exploring, whether as a career or just for fun.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one “right way” to homeschool—and the same is true for college planning. But there is a smarter, more informed way to do it, and it starts with understanding the steps ahead.
The tips I’ve shared here aren’t about doing more—they’re about doing the right things at the right time, with the right information.
You don’t need to have all the answers today. But by taking small, intentional steps now, you’ll set your student up for success—and save yourself a lot of stress - and money! - down the road.
I’m here to help you do just that.
I’m Katherine O’Brien, veteran homeschooling mom, mother of 6, including 3 Eagle Scouts, certified college planning specialist, founder of Celtic College Consultants. I’d love to meet with your family today. Email to schedule a consultation: KOB@CelticCollegeConsultants.com
