Homeschool benefits and savings in Hayward

Chabot College in Hayward waives the $46-a-unit enrollment fee for Individual Dual Enrollment (IDE) students, up to 11 units a semester, a saving of $506 on a full load. IDE is for current high school students taking advanced courses; the page does not mention homeschoolers, so confirm with Admissions and Records who signs the counselor line for your home school.

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

Who qualifies

1. Is a current high school student

   IDE, formerly called Concurrent Enrollment, is for current high school students taking classes on campus with other college students.

2. Takes advanced courses

   Enrollment is limited to advanced scholastic courses. Physical education and basic skills courses are not allowed.

3. Meets the prerequisites

   Math, English, chemistry, and courses that build on them need placement or an assessment first.

4. Gets the form signed

   The IDE enrollment form needs signatures from a parent or guardian and a counselor. Without both, it is not approved.

What the waiver saves

Chabot College charges an enrollment fee of $46 a unit to all students not exempt by law.

One 3-unit class

$138

Two classes (6 units)

$276

IDE limit (11 units)

$506

Fall and spring at 11 units each

$1,012

Health fee still owed, summer

$18

Students provide their own books, equipment, and transportation, and international and out-of-state students pay $370 a unit in tuition.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before the semester

   Apply on CCCApply

   Apply to Chabot College and write down the confirmation number and W number, which the IDE form asks for.

2. Before the form

   Choose courses and place

   Pick courses from the class schedule with their CRN and units, and finish placement or assessment where required.

3. Every semester

   Submit the IDE form

   Complete the online IDE enrollment form with parent and counselor signatures. A form with spelling errors must be redone.

4. Registration date

   Register on MyPortal

   After approval, Chabot emails your student's registration date; register in MyPortal that day, since popular classes fill fast.

What it pays for

Covered

• The $46-a-unit enrollment fee
• Up to 11 units a semester
• Any course with met prerequisites

Not covered

• Books and equipment
• Transportation
• Student health fee
• Tuition for international and out-of-state students

Who to contact

Admissions and Records, in Building 700, answers IDE eligibility questions and processes enrollment forms.

morozco@chabotcollege.edu 510-723-6701 IDE eligibility and how to enroll

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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