Homeschool benefits: Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University's School-Based Scholars program lets homeschooled juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA take college courses for $99 per credit hour in 2026-27, about $297 for a three-credit class. The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) Dual Credit Scholarship, open to homeschool students, can pay for general education courses. Other options include library educator cards and resources.
Northern Kentucky University homeschool School-Based Scholars
Who qualifies
Homeschool junior or senior
School-Based Scholars welcomes any homeschool student to apply. Sophomores may be considered for an exception with a letter of intent and two recommendation letters from non-relatives, one from an educator.
Has a 3.0 unweighted GPA
Submit a notarized homeschool transcript that shows an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Meets course prerequisites
For a course with a prerequisite, send proof such as an official ACT score report, an AP score report, or a college transcript.
What it is worth
Northern Kentucky University's School-Based Scholars tuition page sets 2026-27 tuition at $99 per credit hour and lists parking separately.
- One credit hour
- $99
- Average three-credit class
- $297
- Two three-credit classes
- $594
- Parking pass, one semester (optional)
- $86
- Parking pass, full year (optional)
- $146
Tuition does not include textbooks, and KHEAA makes the scholarship decision, not NKU.
From applying to keeping it
- By Dec. 1, Aug. 1, or May 1
Send the application
Email the online application, the SBS Disclosure Form, the notarized transcript, and any prerequisite proof to nkusbs@nku.edu by the deadline for spring, fall, or summer.
- 4-5 weeks later
Get the welcome letter
Admitted students receive a welcome letter with next steps for registering.
- Before classes
Apply for KHEAA aid
Choose courses in your student's KHEAA account for the Dual Credit Scholarship, which KHEAA awards.
- Jan. 11, 2027
Pay the spring bill
Bills appear in myNKU about a month before classes. Pay for anything KHEAA does not cover by the first day of classes; if KHEAA later pays a course you covered, NKU refunds you.
What it pays for
Covered
- Tuition at $99 per credit hour
- Courses are offered on the Highland Heights campus or the online campus, though restricted 7-week online sections are not allowed.
Not covered
- Textbooks
- Parking
- Restricted 7-week sections and reserved courses
KHEAA's Work Ready Scholarship can also pay for two approved career and technical education courses per school year.
Who to contact
The School-Based Scholars office takes applications, answers eligibility questions, and supplies the SAP ID you need to pay by mail.
nkusbs@nku.edu 859-572-5100 Homeschool students page
Campbell County Public Library homeschool teacher card
Who qualifies
Homeschools your children
The Teacher Card is for parents of homeschooled children and is meant for educational use only. Anyone 18 or older can also get a free regular library card.
Shows homeschool verification
Bring verification of homeschool participation, plus a valid photo ID and proof of your current address. A PO box does not count.
Need not live in Campbell County
Teacher Cards are not limited to Campbell County residents, but the library is ending free full-access cards for people living outside Kentucky unless they work in Campbell County.
What the card gives you
The terms come from the library's homeschooling, library card, borrowing, and online resources pages.
- Card cost
- Free
- Books, audiobooks, and CDs
- 28 days
- DVDs
- 7 days
- Renewals
- 2, unless on hold
- Overdue fines
- None
- Item counted as lost
- After 60 days overdue
The library does not post a separate checkout limit for Teacher Cards, so ask at the branch how many items you can have out for lessons.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Gather your proof
Bring verification of homeschool participation, a photo ID, and proof of your address.
- At the branch
Ask for a Teacher Card
Apply at the Alexandria, Cold Spring, Carrico/Fort Thomas, or Newport branch.
- Before a unit
Request books
Ask staff to pull books and audio materials for a project, then check them out for your lessons.
- From home
Use the databases
Sign in with your library barcode and PIN to reach Britannica School, LearningExpress, Explora, and other databases.
What it includes
Included
- Books and media for lessons
- Staff-pulled books for projects
- Britannica School and Britannica Fundamentals
- LearningExpress SAT, ACT, and PSAT prep
Not included
- Personal, non-educational borrowing
- Items more than 35 days overdue, for renewal
Good to know
You do not have to live in Campbell County
Teacher Cards are not limited to Campbell County residents, though the library is ending free full-access cards for people living outside Kentucky unless they work in Campbell County.
Who to contact about the card
Any of the four branches can issue a Teacher Card and answer questions about it.
nwinfo@cc-pl.org 859-572-5035 Homeschooling resources
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Kentucky
You must notify the local district superintendent annually. Current KDE guidance says within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of public-school withdrawal, for a child of compulsory attendance age.
Kentucky sets these rules:
- Subjects: Parents choose the curriculum for a noncertified homeschool. Certified private schools must teach in English, offer public-school subjects, and provide at least 1,062 hours over 170 days annually; KDE recommends those hours and days for other homeschools.
- Testing: Kentucky does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Keep attendance records and scholarship reports showing completed courses and grades, available for inspection by pupil-personnel and KDE officials. Work-sample portfolios are recommended, not mandatory.
- Teachers: No state teacher certification requirement for parents teaching their own children in a noncertified homeschool.
Read the Kentucky homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Kentucky
Questions parents ask
- Will KHEAA pay for my student's NKU classes?
- It can, for general education courses. KHEAA's Dual Credit Scholarship is open to homeschooled students in 11th and 12th grade; KHEAA, not NKU, manages it and pays fall awards after October 1 and spring awards after February 15.
- Can Campbell County library staff gather books for our unit study?
- Yes. Staff can pull books and audio materials for an assigned project so you can check them out together.
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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