Homeschool benefits and savings in Peoria, West Peoria, or Peoria Heights
Peoria Promise reimburses 50% to 100% of the tuition your student pays at Illinois Central College (ICC) after other aid, for up to 64 credit hours, about $2,004 for a 12-hour fall 2026 semester at the full rate. Homeschool graduates 21 or younger qualify after four straight years living in Peoria, West Peoria, or Peoria Heights, with a transcript showing college-prep classes.
Who qualifies
Completed a homeschool program
The homeschool program must provide official transcripts showing satisfactory completion of college-prep classes, and your student must be 21 or younger when applying.
Lived in Peoria for 4 years
Your student must have lived continuously in the City of Peoria, West Peoria, or the Village of Peoria Heights for at least four years before applying, and keep living there while using the award.
Files the FAFSA
Every student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or use the FAFSA appeal process if they cannot. The Student Aid Index sets the reimbursement rate.
Passes ICC classes
Only fall and spring classes at ICC completed with a C or above are reimbursed, up to 12 credit hours a semester.
What it is worth
ICC charges in-district students $167 per credit hour for fall 2026, and Peoria Promise reimburses 100%, 75%, or 50% of tuition left after other aid, based on the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- One class (3 hours), SAI 0-5,000
- $501
- 12-hour semester, SAI 0-5,000 (100%)
- $2,004
- 12-hour semester, SAI 5,001-15,000 (75%)
- $1,503
- 12-hour semester, SAI above 15,000 (50%)
- $1,002
- All 64 hours at 100%
- $10,688
These examples assume no grants or scholarships; any aid is applied first and lowers the amount reimbursed, and rates may change each year.
From applying to keeping it
- By March 15
File the FAFSA
March 15 is the priority FAFSA deadline Peoria Promise lists.
- February 1 to May 15
Apply each year
Submit the Peoria Promise application online. First-time applicants have two years after finishing their homeschool program to apply, and every student reapplies each year.
- Each semester
Pay ICC and pass classes
Peoria Promise does not pay ICC in advance, so you pay tuition first. Your student needs a C or above in each class to have it reimbursed.
- January and June
Collect the check
Your student attends a reimbursement meeting, held in January for fall and June for spring, and completes an end-of-semester survey.
- Within 3 more years
Finish 64 hours
After the first application, your student has three more years to use the 64 credit hours.
What it pays for
Covered
- ICC tuition left after other aid
- Fall and spring classes passed with a C or above
- Up to 12 credit hours a semester
Not covered
- Summer classes
- Classes graded below C
- Payment before the semester ends
- Credit hours beyond 64
Who pays first
- Federal and state grants
- Tuition scholarships
- Peoria Promise reimbursement
It is last-dollar tuition aid: grants and tuition scholarships apply first, and Peoria Promise reimburses its percentage of the tuition your family still paid.
All reimbursements depend on Peoria Promise Foundation funding.
Good to know
Full-time attendance is not required
Peoria Promise sets no minimum and reimburses as little as 1 credit hour and as many as 12 credit hours a semester.
Who to contact
Peoria Promise staff answer eligibility questions, including homeschool transcript requirements, and run the reimbursement meetings.
info@peoriapromise.org 309-999-4022 Peoria Promise application
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
Questions parents ask
- Do we pay ICC tuition up front with Peoria Promise?
- Yes. Peoria Promise does not pay for classes in advance. Students getting a Pell Grant can ask ICC whether it will accept the expected Pell funds instead.
- How is the percentage decided?
- By the Student Aid Index on your FAFSA: 100% for 0 to 5,000, 75% for 5,001 to 15,000, and 50% above 15,000.
- Does it cover books or course fees?
- Not that the program says. It describes itself as tuition reimbursement and does not mention fees or books, so ask Peoria Promise before counting on help with lab or course fees.
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.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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