This is an unprecedented attempt by the federal government to force states to create new agencies to regulate colleges and universities. This additional layer of bureaucracy will require colleges to submit to more regulations and supervision by state and federal officials. Before the 87-page regulations, called “Program Integrity Issues,” were proposed, colleges were typically accredited by independent accrediting agencies. Federal control over colleges has never been attempted before.

Should homeschool families be concerned?
There are several areas of serious concern to homeschoolers: The regulations will include a federal definition of “credit hour,” as well as new procedures to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school diploma for purposes of obtaining federal financial aid.

How will this affect homeschoolers? Will homeschooled students with non-accredited diplomas still be eligible for federal student financial aid?
As soon as I read the new regulations, I contacted HSLDA’s director of federal relations, Will Estrada, and HSLDA’s president, Mike Smith. They explained that homeschoolers have been getting federal financial aid because of an exception clause in the federal law. While this is not the ideal situation and HSLDA would like to change it in the future, this means homeschoolers are exempt from the new federal diploma accreditation regulations.

Be sure to use the self-certifying option
I was greatly relieved to learn that on the FAFSA form, if a homeschooler checks they were “Homeschooled,” then their high school completion is self-certified and nothing else will be required of the homeschooled student or college. However, if the homeschooled student checks “High School Diploma,” he will have to give the name of his high school, and the college will be required to see if the high school is on the “accredited” list.

As long as homeschoolers check “Homeschooled” on the FAFSA form, they should have no problem in applying for federal student financial aid. HEAV will continue to monitor this situation and keep you posted.

If you’d like to learn more about these regulations and what you can do, see this Denver Post article and this HSLDA E-lert.

Q. I’ve decided I want to homeschool my child. Is it too late to begin? What do I need to do to take him out of school?

A. Yes, you can homeschool now. You may begin homeschooling after the August 15th deadline if you have recently moved into a school division or if you decide to begin homeschooling after the school year has begun. If you begin now, it’s important to understand the Virginia law and the choices you have. Visit the law section of the HEAV website for complete information, as well as links to the actual statute and tips on what you need to know. For a comprehensive overview of your legal choices, be sure to view the Law Flowchart.

Here’s what you need to do.

1. Write a letter of intent OR download, print, and complete a copy of the Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction form. If you have questions about the Notice of Intent, look at our newly updated Notice of Intent FAQs. If you don’t find the answers you need, be sure to give me a call at 804-278-9200, or send an e-mail to support@heav.org.

2. Include a description of your curriculum with the Notice of Intent. If this is not possible, you have 30 days to select your curriculum and provide a curriculum description. The law requires limited documentation of curriculum—just a description. To comply, you may write a brief description of each subject you intend to study during the year, or you may simply attach a list of subjects to be taught and the textbook titles or resources you plan to use. Your curriculum is not evaluated or approved by the superintendent. You can purchase new or used curriculum at some book stores depending on the area in which you live. The Internet is also a good source for researching and buying curriculum after the school year has begun. To help get you get started, HEAV has a limited list of curriculum resources here.

3. Notify your division superintendent. You can mail or hand-deliver your Notice of Intent and curriculum description. If you mail your NOI, send it “return/receipt” so you have a record of the date it was received. If you hand-deliver it to your superintendent’s office, ask for a receipt. For your convenience, here is the contact information for local division superintendents.

4. Withdraw your child from school after you have evidence your NOI has been received. If your child is attending a government school, file your Notice of Intent or letter before you withdraw him from school; this will prevent the possibility of confusion. After your division superintendent has received your NOI or letter, you may begin homeschooling. You do not have to wait for a response from the superintendent in order to begin. You are not asking or waiting for the superintendent’s “permission” to homeschool. You are notifying the superintendent of your intent as the law requires. There is no waiting period.

5. Contact a local support group in your area. HEAV networks with more than 200 support groups throughout the state. You can find a list of groups and contact information here. Many support groups provide group activities, field trips, and sometimes co-op classes for students. Experienced parents in the group can also offer encouragement as you get started.

6. Find some helpful resources!
These are some of the very best, practical books on homeschooling that may help you as you begin:

The Virginia Homeschool Manual: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia
One of the most comprehensive resources available to Virginia homeschoolers is the Virginia Homeschool Manual. It will help you homeschool from pre-school through high school, college, and beyond. Almost 1000 pages of solid, helpful information.

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
Debra Bell’s book is a great homeschooling book, especially if you’re looking for practical ways to schedule your day, work through each subject, and learn about popular methods.

100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
Cathy Duffy’s book is an excellent choice to help you specifically with kindergarten through high school curriculum choices.

Mommy Teach Me
Making the Most of the Preschool Years
If you have a preschooler, these two books can help you get started.

The High School Handbook
This book by Mary Schofield is perfect for high school students.

All these books may be purchased from our online HEAV bookstore.

We can help!
Sign-up for HEAV’s FREE weekly e-mail newsletter, the Virginia Homeschool Update, and HEAV’s quarterly magazine, the Virginia Home Educator. We’ll let you know about upcoming events, museum homeschool days, and important news. You’ll also receive encouragement and support through helpful articles and great resources–all for free!

To get your specific questions answered and learn what you REALLY need to know to homeschool, watch our Virginia Homeschool Updates for information about our How-to-Begin Homeschool Success Seminars. These practical, information-filled seminars will give you the tools for a successful homeschool year.

I hope this information will help you get off to a good start. You can do it—just take one step at a time. HEAV is here to help you be successful. Please call our office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail your questions to support@heav.org if we can help you further.

Wishing you much success!
Yvonne

Have a question or comment? Please leave it below!

Although homeschool graduates who are accepted to Virginia colleges have been able to qualify for federal financial aid and some state funds, they have been locked out of money from the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). VGAP covers tuition, fees, and the cost of books for qualified students. The average yearly award in ’07-’08 was $3,671 for a community college student and $3,848 for a four-year college student.

Why were homeschoolers eliminated from this merit and need based scholarship? Students were required to be graduates of a Virginia public or private high school. Students were also required to have at least a 2.5 GPA. The VGAP scholarship eligibility guidelines clearly stated, “Students who obtain a GED or complete homeschooling are not eligible.” Due to the successful passage of a new law, this policy has changed.

Background

Last year, a homeschool graduate was awarded a VGAP scholarship during her first semester of college. However, after receiving the funds her second semester, the college removed the grant stating she did not qualify for the financial aid because she had been homeschooled. Dissatisfied with the discriminatory treatment of his daughter, the student’s father contacted his state representative, Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax). Since the deadline for filing a normal bill had passed, Senator Cuccinelli, a homeschool dad himself, acted immediately by filing an emergency bill, SB 1547. The motion was granted, a simple bill was drafted, and it quickly passed the Senate Education Committee without opposition.

After reviewing the bill’s wording, HEAV contacted Senator Cuccinelli’s office by phone and sent our lobbyist, Oscar Walker, to express our concerns about wording that would create more oversight for homeschoolers. We were also concerned the language did not clearly address how homeschool graduates (including religiously exempt students) would meet the eligibility requirements for VGAP, particularly grade point average or class rank.

HEAV, VaHomeschoolers, and HSLDA suggested new language that addressed our concerns. We came to a consensus with helpful input from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The new language required SCHEV to develop “empirical alternative equivalent measures” for homeschool eligibility for state financial aid programs. Senator Cuccinelli wanted the strongest language possible to protect the rights of homeschoolers and strengthen scholarship opportunities for one income homeschooling families.

New Guidelines

Homeschool graduates may now apply for the VGAP through the financial aid office of the community college or four year college at which they have been accepted. New SCHEV guidelines (passed July 14, 2009) now allow homeschool graduates to submit SAT scores of 900 and above and ACT scores of 19 and above as an alternative to a high school GPA. If the financial aid officer is not aware of SCHEV’s new policy regarding VGAP, respectfully ask him to contact Lee Andes, Assistant Director for Financial Aid, at SCHEV for clarification.

Although the majority of VGAP scholarship monies have already been distributed to college students for the fall ’09 semester, this law change and new SCHEV policy will help thousands of homeschool graduates in the future who plan to attend college.

Many thanks to Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) and Lee Andes, SCHEV Assistant Director for Financial Aid, for working with HEAV, VaHomeschoolers, and HSLDA in passing a new law and establishing an effective policy for home educated students.