Homeschool benefits and savings in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Chilton counties
Jefferson State Community College charges dual enrollment students $100 per general education class, textbook included, and gives a 100% scholarship for technical courses in 13 career programs such as welding, accounting, and EMS. Homeschooled students in grades 10-12 qualify through a homeschool program that partners with Jefferson State, with a 2.5 GPA and their homeschool administrator's approval.
Who qualifies
Uses a partner homeschool program
Students must attend a Jefferson State Dual Enrollment partner school, and Jefferson State partners with more than 80 high schools and homeschool programs in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Chilton counties.
Is in grades 10-12
Your student must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
Has a 2.5 GPA
Your student needs a 2.5 unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale, or 2.0 for welding classes.
Has administrator approval
The homeschool administrator approves each course on the Course Approval Form, in place of a high school counselor.
What it is worth
Jefferson State's fall 2026 dual enrollment rates are $100 per general education class and a 100% scholarship for technical courses in listed career programs, with Pioneer Pack textbooks included.
- One general education class
- $100
- Two general education classes
- $200
- Four general education classes
- $400
- Technical course in a listed program
- $0
- Pioneer Pack textbook rental
- Included
Jefferson State offered no dual enrollment scholarships in summer 2026, so check the scholarships page before planning a summer class.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Confirm your partner program
Make sure your homeschool program is a Jefferson State partner. To ask about becoming one, email dualenrollment@jeffersonstate.edu.
- From Oct. 12, 2026
Apply and submit course approval
New students apply online, then send a Course Approval Form for the term. October 12 is the priority date for spring 2027.
- If needed for placement
Send a transcript or ACT
Transcripts are not required for admission.
- By Dec. 30, 2026
Meet the spring deadline
Applications and course approvals for the spring 2027 regular term are due December 30, and classes start January 7, 2027.
- Each term
Approve courses again
Submit a new Course Approval Form for every term. Regular and short-session courses in the same term each need their own form.
What it pays for
Covered
- General education courses, including STEM
- Pioneer Pack textbooks and access codes
Not covered
- Courses numbered below 100
- PED courses other than PED 224
- HUM courses other than HUM 298M
- CIS 146 under the technical scholarship
Opting out of Pioneer Pack does not lower the $100 price, and students who opt out buy their own textbooks and access codes.
Who to contact
The Dual Enrollment team answers questions about eligibility, partner programs, course approvals, and costs.
dualenrollment@jeffersonstate.edu Meet the Dual Enrollment Team
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Alabama
Alabama lists three routes for home education: church school, private school, or private tutor. The reporting steps depend on the route; a private tutor files with the local superintendent before instruction begins.
Alabama sets these rules:
- Subjects: Church- and private-school routes follow their applicable school requirements. A private tutor must teach public-school branches at least 3 hours daily for 140 days each year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in English.
- Testing: Alabama does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: A private tutor keeps a daily instruction and attendance register; church- and private-school record rules depend on the route.
- Teachers: A private tutor must hold a valid Alabama teaching certificate; church- and private-school routes have separate requirements.
Alabama also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The CHOOSE Act pays $2,000 per home-education student, up to $4,000 per family, for approved costs during the school year. The 2026-27 window closed March 31, 2026.
- TheHomeschoolingCompany is an approved vendor for it.
Read the Alabama homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Alabama
Questions parents ask
- Which Jefferson State technical programs are fully covered?
- The 13 covered programs are accounting, banking and finance, business management, biomedical equipment technology, child development, computer information systems, construction and building science, criminal justice, culinary and hospitality, EMS (Emergency Medical Services), manufacturing, office administration, and welding.
- Can a 9th grader enroll in Jefferson State dual enrollment?
- No. Dual enrollment is for students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.
- Can my student take a short eight-week session?
- Only after finishing 9 credit hours at Jefferson State with at least a 3.0 GPA there, unless the course is not offered in the regular term.
- Do we need to send a homeschool transcript to apply?
- No. Transcripts are not required for admission. Your homeschool administrator sends a transcript or ACT report only when a course needs it for placement.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject. We are an approved CHOOSE Act ESA vendor, so your ClassWallet balance can pay for it.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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