Homeschool benefits through Howard Community College homeschool dual enrollment

Howard Community College gives homeschooled dual enrollment students 50% off the Howard County resident tuition rate in fall, winter, and spring, which is $72 per credit instead of $144 for fall 2026. Apply online and upload a signature form signed by your student, you, and the curriculum coordinator. Other options include library educator cards and resources.

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

Howard Community College homeschool dual enrollment

Who qualifies

1. Is homeschooled

   Howard Community College offers dual enrollment for private school, home school, and out-of-county high school students.

2. Meets residency rules

   The discount is figured on the Howard County resident rate and applied under the college's state and county residency policy.

3. Returns the signature form

   The Dual Enrollment Signature Form must be signed by your student, a parent, and the curriculum coordinator.

4. Enrolls in fall, winter, or spring

   The page lists the discount for those three terms and does not mention summer.

What the discount saves

Howard Community College's fall 2026 rates, pending board approval, are $144 per credit for Howard County residents plus a $28.74 consolidated fee per credit.

Tuition per credit after 50% off

$72.00

One 3-credit class, tuition

$216.00

One 3-credit class with consolidated fee

$302.22

Saved on one 3-credit class

$216.00

Two 3-credit classes with consolidated fee

$604.44

Courses marked Equitable Access add a $23 per credit course material fee, and other course fees are listed in the schedule of classes.

How to enroll

1. Step 1

   Apply to the college

   Complete the Howard Community College online application.

2. Step 2

   Upload the signature form

   Open the Supplemental Items tab in your application and upload the signed Dual Enrollment Signature Form.

3. Within 72 hours

   Wait for processing

   The college takes up to 72 hours to process the form.

4. Each fall, winter, and spring

   Register and pay

   Pay the discounted tuition, course and consolidated fees, and books and supplies. Rates can change each academic year.

What the discount covers

Covered

• 50% of tuition
• Fall, winter, and spring terms

Not covered

• Consolidated fee
• Course fees
• Books and supplies
• Federal student aid

Who to contact about dual enrollment

The Office of Dual Enrollment answers questions about the signature form, eligibility, and the tuition discount.

DualEnrollment@HowardCC.edu 443-518-1000 Dual enrollment for homeschooled students

Howard County Library A+ Educator Card

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Howard County

   Classroom teachers do not need to live in the county, but homeschool parents do.

2. Shows proof of homeschooling

   Bring the Assurance of Consent form you filed with the Howard County Board of Education, or proof of enrollment in a nonpublic umbrella registered with the Maryland State Department of Education.

3. Applies at a branch

   The A+ Educator Card is issued in person at any Howard County Library System branch.

What the card gives you

Howard County Library System lists these borrowing privileges for the A+ Educator Card.

Items out at once

120

Loan period

42 days

Automatic renewals

2, if no one has requested the item

Overdue fines

None

Card cost

Free

Use the educator card for school materials and your personal card for your family's own reading, listening, and viewing.

How to get the card

1. Before you go

   Gather your papers

   Bring proof of Howard County residence and your Assurance of Consent form or umbrella enrollment proof.

2. At any branch

   Apply in person

   Ask for an A+ Educator Card; it is issued in addition to your personal library card.

3. Each checkout

   Borrow for 42 days

   Items are due in 42 days and renew automatically twice when no one else is waiting.

What it includes

Included

• Books and most library materials
• Materials for preparing lessons
• Materials to help students with assignments

Not included

• Artwork and DIY items
• Children's launchpads
• Fiction DVDs
• Interlibrary loan materials
• STEM activity kits

Who to contact about the card

Branch staff issue A+ Educator Cards and answer questions about eligibility and borrowing.

Contact Us

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

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