Homeschool benefits and savings in Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago's Early College program waives tuition and charges for up to two approved dual enrollment classes a term, worth $978 a term at the $163 per credit hour in-district rate. Homeschooled high school students who live in Chicago qualify, generally at age 16 or as juniors or seniors, with a signed parent permission form and a transcript.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Chicago

   Your student must be a City of Chicago resident enrolled in high school, and the program names homeschooled students as eligible. Residency is checked under the college's residency policy.

2. Is old enough

   The program page asks for students who are 16 or juniors or seniors. Younger students need a principal's recommendation and approval from the college president or a designated official, and the catalog sets 15 as the minimum age for homeschooled students.

3. Sends permission and a transcript

   Submit an official high school transcript, proof of age such as a birth certificate or state ID, and a Parental Permission Form signed by a parent unless your student is 18.

4. Meets placement and course rules

   Students must meet each course's prerequisites. The program lists a 2.5 GPA, with recommendation letters accepted below that, a 90% attendance rate, and placement scores such as an ACT English score of 19 for English 101.

What it is worth

City Colleges charges in-district students $163 per credit hour starting Summer 2026.

One 3-credit class

$489

Two 3-credit classes in one term

$978

Fall and spring, two classes each

$1,956

29-credit dual credit lifetime limit

$4,727

Third class in a term, outside a pathway

You pay

The catalog does not say the waiver covers books or supplies, so ask the dual enrollment coordinator what your student will need to buy.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you enroll

   Talk to Early College staff

   Contact the dual enrollment coordinator at the City Colleges location you want. Do not register or pay for a class first, because unauthorized payments are not refunded.

2. When approved

   Apply online

   Complete the City Colleges Early College application and send the permission form, transcript, and proof of age.

3. Before each term

   Choose classes

   Pick up to two approved classes from the dual enrollment schedule, or classes in an approved career pathway.

4. During the term

   Keep grades up

   Eligibility is revoked after any two of these: a D or F, a no-show or administrative withdrawal, or a withdrawal after the statistical date.

5. If eligibility is revoked

   Repeat to reinstate

   Your student repeats the course at full cost and must earn a C or higher to return to the program.

What it pays for

Covered

• Up to two classes a term, or approved pathway classes
• Up to 29 lifetime credits of dual credit courses

Not covered

• Classes beyond two a term outside a pathway
• Repeated courses after eligibility is revoked
• Continuing Education Professional and Personal Development courses
• Seniors in the summer after graduation

The catalog says Early College is offered at City Colleges' sole discretion, depends on available funding, and can change or end without notice.

Good to know

• Approved classes are free, up to two a term

  You pay nothing for approved classes, up to two a term. You pay full price for extra classes outside an approved pathway and for a course repeated after eligibility is revoked.

Who to contact

Early College staff and each college's dual enrollment coordinator approve students and answer questions about eligibility, placement, and classes.

773-602-5231 Early College contacts

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Illinois

You do not have to file a homeschool notice.

Illinois sets these rules:

• Subjects: Teach language arts, math, biological, physical, and social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health, in English, at least at public-school level.
• Testing: Illinois does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Illinois does not require homeschool records.
• Teachers: The instructor must be competent; no state teaching certificate is required.

Read the Illinois homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Illinois

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