Homeschool benefits and savings in the Cabrillo Community College District

Cabrillo College covers tuition for individual dual enrollment students up to 11 units a semester, which at $46 a unit saves $506 on a full 11-unit load. Homeschooled students in California qualify by submitting the K-12 consent form with a copy of the R-4 Private School Affidavit.

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

Who qualifies

1. Is homeschooled in California

   Cabrillo states that homeschooled students in California can take part in dual enrollment as part-time special admit students.

2. Files the R-4 affidavit

   Submit a copy of your R-4 Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the K-12 consent form through the Dual Enrollment eForm.

3. Applies to Cabrillo

   Students 14 and older apply through CCCApply.

4. Takes 11 units or fewer

   Registering for more than 11 units ends the tuition coverage for every unit that term unless the Dual Enrollment Department approves more.

What the coverage saves

Cabrillo College charges California residents $46 a unit in tuition.

One 3-unit class

$138

Two classes (6 units)

$276

Full dual enrollment load (11 units)

$506

Fall and spring at 11 units each

$1,012

Only tuition is covered: on a part-time fall or spring load your student still owes the $28 health fee, $10 activity card, $39 transportation fee, $5 student center fee, and $2 representation fee, $84 in all.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before the term

   Apply to Cabrillo

   On CCCApply, choose the status "Enrolling in high school (or lower grade) and college at the same time."

2. After you apply

   Submit the consent form

   Upload the K-12 consent form and the affidavit through the Dual Enrollment eForm in Etrieve Central. Cabrillo does not accept forms by email, in person, or by fax.

3. On your registration date

   Register in MyCabrillo

   Check My Registration Date, then register on or after that date.

4. Up to 7 days after

   Watch the balance clear

   The tuition sponsorship is added after every step is complete and can take 7 days to clear from your student's account.

5. Until graduation

   Keep the consent form

   Once approved, the consent form stays valid until your student finishes high school.

What it pays for

Covered

• Tuition up to 11 units a semester

Not covered

• Textbooks
• Parking permits
• Course material fees
• Health, activity, transportation, and other student fees
• Tuition for courses dropped after the deadline

Who to contact

The Dual Enrollment office answers questions about homeschool affidavits, consent forms, and requests to exceed 11 units.

dualenrollment@cabrillo.edu 831-786-4732 Dual enrollment page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in California

For the home-based private-school pathway, file the Private School Affidavit during the October 1–15 annual filing period. New schools may use the online filing system during its separate August 1–June 30 opening window. Other legal pathways have their own rules.

California sets these rules:

• Subjects: The private-school pathway must provide instruction in English in the branches of study required for public schools; the parent chooses the materials and course sequence.
• Testing: California does not impose a statewide standardized-testing requirement on private-school students.
• Records: Private schools must keep the records required by California law, including attendance and faculty information.
• Teachers: Private-school instructors must be capable of teaching; California does not issue a separate homeschool-parent credential.

Read the California homeschooling guide See statewide programs in California

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