Homeschool benefits through Community College of Baltimore County homeschool parallel enrollment
Through the Early College Access Program (ECAP), Maryland homeschool students in grades 9-12 pay half of the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) tuition rate, $62 per credit instead of $124 for Baltimore County residents in 2026-27. Fees, books, and supplies are not discounted. Other options include library educator cards and resources.
Community College of Baltimore County homeschool parallel enrollment
Who qualifies
Lives in Maryland
ECAP is open to all Maryland residents in grades 9 through 12, and CCBC says the discount is open to homeschool students.
Is in grades 9-12
Eighth graders in gifted and talented programs can sometimes start earlier.
Has a parent's consent
A parent or guardian signs the consent form in the ECAP application. CCBC does not start processing the application until it is signed.
Places into the course
Ninth graders, students with an unweighted GPA below 2.5, and students taking courses with a math prerequisite without qualifying scores take placement tests.
What the discount saves
CCBC's 2026-27 tuition is $124 per credit for Baltimore County residents and $246 for residents of other Maryland counties; ECAP students pay half.
- One credit, Baltimore County resident
- $62
- One 3-credit class, Baltimore County
- $186
- Two 3-credit classes, Baltimore County
- $372
- 12 credits, Baltimore County
- $744
- One 3-credit class, other Maryland county
- $369
Fees are added at full price: $22 general services and $19 technology per billable hour, an activity fee of $4 per hour up to $48 a term, and the $55 registration fee.
How to enroll
- Before you apply
Gather records
Have your homeschool transcript and any SAT, ACT, or AP scores ready to upload.
- Step 1
Complete the ECAP application
Apply online and sign the parent or guardian consent form so CCBC can process it.
- Step 2
Test and plan classes
Take placement tests if required, then plan courses with a CCBC academic advisor.
- Step 3
Register and pay
Register through SIMON in myCCBC, or through QuickReg for workforce courses, then check your bill for the ECAP discount.
- Before classes start
Buy books and attend orientation
Buy textbooks and complete New Student Orientation.
What the discount covers
Covered
- 50% of tuition
- Credit courses
- Continuing education courses that lead to a certificate
Not covered
- The other 50% of tuition
- Fees
- Books
- Supplies
The discount is applied to tuition on your bill; check that it appears before you pay.
Who to contact about ECAP
The ECAP Department handles applications, placement questions, and the Parallel Enrollment discount for high school students.
ecap@ccbcmd.edu 443-840-2222 ECAP program page
Baltimore County Public Library homeschool teacher loan card
Who qualifies
Homeschools in Baltimore County
Homeschool teachers working with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) or an umbrella group certified by the Maryland State Department of Education qualify if the homeschool is a Baltimore County residence.
Has a personal library card
You need a valid personal Baltimore County Public Library card before you register.
Shows a homeschool letter
Bring the annual BCPS Home Schooling Office letter, or a letter dated within the last year from a state-certified umbrella group. An umbrella group ID card is not accepted.
What the card gives you
These limits come from Baltimore County Public Library's teachers page.
- Items checked out at once
- 100
- Loan period
- 9 weeks
- Renewals
- None
- Overdue fines
- None
- Teacher Collection gathered for you
- 14 days' notice
- Card length
- Until Aug. 31
Replacement costs still apply for damaged, lost, or missing items, and last year's account issues must be cleared before you renew.
How to get the card
- Before you register
Get your homeschool letter
Use your annual BCPS Home Schooling Office letter or ask your umbrella group for a letter dated within the last year.
- Online or at a branch
Register
Upload one verification document through the online Teacher Registration form, or bring the form, ID, and document to any branch.
- After registering
Get your card number
New cards arrive by mail within 10 business days after you receive your number and temporary PIN; renewals are confirmed by email within three business days.
- From August 1 each year
Renew
Cards expire every August 31 and can be renewed starting August 1.
What it includes
Included
- Books and media for group or student use
- Interlibrary loans on the nine-week period
- Teacher Collections on request
- Assignment Alerts for library research
Not included
- Video games
- E-books and e-audiobooks
- Chromebooks and other loan technology
- Special collections
Who to contact about the card
Librarians at any branch and the Ask a Librarian service answer questions about Teacher Loan Cards and collections.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Maryland
You must submit the prescribed consent form to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting. District-supervised families verify continuation before each school year and report status changes. A qualifying nonpublic supervisor reports continuing enrollment and status changes to the district.
Maryland sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide regular, thorough instruction of sufficient duration in English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and PE. A qualifying nonpublic-supervised program must provide regular, thorough instruction in the usual public-school studies.
- Testing: State standardized testing is voluntary. District-supervised programs have portfolio reviews at semester ends, with no more than three reviews per school year.
- Records: For district supervision, keep instructional materials and work samples demonstrating required instruction; college report cards or transcripts may substitute for those courses. Qualifying nonpublic supervision follows COMAR’s separate requirements.
- Teachers: No state teaching credential required for the parent providing home instruction.
Read the Maryland homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Maryland
Questions parents ask
- Can my homeschooled student use CCBC's ECAP?
- Yes. CCBC lists homeschool students alongside public and private school students, and every ECAP student receives the 50% Parallel Enrollment discount.
- Do we have to live in Baltimore County to use CCBC's ECAP?
- No. The program is open to Maryland residents in grades 9-12. Families outside Baltimore County pay half of the $246 out-of-county rate, so the savings per credit are larger but the bill is higher.
- Can a homeschool parent get a Teacher Loan Card?
- Yes. Homeschool teachers working with BCPS or a state-certified umbrella group qualify when the homeschool is a Baltimore County residence.
- Will my umbrella group ID card work as proof for the Teacher Loan Card?
- No.
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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