Homeschool benefits: ASU-Newport

At Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN), concurrent courses cost $65 per credit hour, and the Arkansas Access to Acceleration (A2A) Scholarship pays that rate for up to 30 credit hours and $2,000 a year, so eligible students are not billed for tuition, fees, or textbooks. Homeschooled Arkansas students in grades 9-12 qualify.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Arkansas

   The student, or a parent, must be an Arkansas resident to get the A2A Scholarship.

2. Homeschooled in grades 9-12

   A2A covers 9th-12th graders in high school or homeschool. ASUN's concurrent program admits students who have finished 8th grade and are enrolled in a public, private, or home school.

3. Has a school designee's approval

   Students need the recommendation and approval of their counselor, principal, or other designee, which for a homeschool is the person who directs it, and must be in good standing.

4. Meets course placement

   Composition I, College Algebra, and Quantitative Literacy need qualifying test scores or GPA. For reading-intensive courses, ASUN recommends an ACT Reading score of 19, an Accuplacer reading score of 250, or a 3.0 GPA.

What it is worth

ASUN's concurrent student handbook prices courses at $65 per credit hour, and A2A pays $65 per credit hour up to 15 hours a semester, 30 hours a year, and $2,000 a year.

One course (3 hours)

$195

Two courses (6 hours)

$390

Semester limit (15 hours)

$975

Yearly limit (30 hours)

$1,950

Annual cap

$2,000

The handbook on ASUN's site is the 2025-26 edition and says the $65 price could change with state policy, and a partner school is billed for any student who goes past the scholarship limit, so ask who pays that bill for a homeschool student.

From applying to staying eligible

1. Before you apply

   Pick approved courses

   Check ASUN's 2026-27 course listing and confirm the courses with your homeschool's approving designee.

2. Apply

   Submit two forms

   Complete the online ASUN admission application and the Concurrent Enrollment Form.

3. Before registering

   Send scores and transcript

   Send placement test scores and a transcript. The Early College office can arrange a free Accuplacer test on the Newport, Jonesboro, or Marked Tree campus.

4. Each term

   Take courses online or on campus

   Online courses are available. Plan on 6-7 hours a week for each three-credit online course.

5. Every term after

   Keep a 2.5 GPA

   Students must keep at least a 2.5 college GPA to stay eligible for A2A.

What it pays for

Covered

• Fees
• Textbooks
• Online and campus concurrent courses

Not covered

• Hours past 15 a semester or 30 a year
• Awards past $2,000 a year
• Courses the school has not approved

ASUN does not bill eligible students for tuition, fees, or textbooks as long as they take only courses their school approved.

Good to know

• Approved courses within the limits cost nothing

  Courses cost nothing as long as they are approved and stay within 15 hours a semester, 30 hours a year, and $2,000 a year.

Who to contact

Lindsey Campbell, Director of Early College Programs, answers questions about concurrent enrollment, testing, and A2A.

lindsey_campbell@asun.edu 870-512-7860 Concurrent and dual enrollment

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Arkansas

You must file the annual notice of intent by August 15. If withdrawing a child from public school after August 15, file at least five school days before the withdrawal, unless an exception applies.

Arkansas sets these rules:

• Subjects: Arkansas does not require specific subjects or a particular curriculum.
• Testing: Arkansas does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Arkansas does not require homeschool records.
• Teachers: Arkansas does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Arkansas also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.

• The Education Freedom Account pays 90% of the state's per-student foundation funding for students in private school or home school, under each year's application rules.

Read the Arkansas homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Arkansas

Find benefits for your ZIP code