Homeschool benefits: Cecil College

Cecil College's Early College Academy lets up to 25 students a year earn an associate degree while finishing high school, with a Cecil College Scholarship that takes $35 off each $140 in-county credit for 2026-27. Homeschooled students apply with a separate homeschool packet; the 2026 packet was due July 15.

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

Who qualifies

1. Turns 14 by December 31

   Students enter the Academy as ninth graders and must be 14 by December 31 of their first year.

2. Has a 3.0 GPA

   A transcript or its equivalent must show at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA. A homeschool transcript serves as the equivalent of a middle school transcript.

3. Has completed Algebra I

   Your child must have finished Algebra I or a higher math course.

4. Is chosen for a seat

   Up to 25 students are admitted each year, and all complete applications are reviewed together after the deadline, so applying early gives no advantage.

What the scholarship saves

Cecil's 2026-27 homeschool packet lists approximate in-county tuition of $140 per credit and a $35 per credit Cecil College Scholarship discount.

One credit

$105

One 3-credit class

$315

Saved on one 3-credit class

$105

60-credit associate degree

$6,300

Saved over 60 credits

$2,100

Fees are extra: a $21 consolidated fee and a $24.50 Barnes and Noble First Day Complete book fee per credit, plus an $8 student development fee per credit from 11th grade on.

How to apply

1. May

   Attend the information session

   Cecil holds a virtual information session on Zoom in May for families considering the Academy.

2. By July 15

   Submit the homeschool packet

   Email or mail the College Bound Scholarship eligibility form, transcript, student questionnaire, and signed expectations form to the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment. Late or incomplete packets are not considered.

3. Late July

   Accept and arrange payment

   Accepted students get an email in July. A payment arrangement is due July 28, and you confirm acceptance by email by August 1.

4. August

   Attend orientation

   Orientation night is mandatory, and schedules are handed out there. The Coordinator of Dual Enrollment registers students for college courses.

5. Every term

   Keep a 2.5 GPA

   Students who fall below a 2.5 GPA, or have poor attendance or behavior, may be asked to leave the program.

What the scholarship covers

Covered

• 25% of in-county tuition
• Tutoring and advising
• Academic seminars

Not covered

• Consolidated fee
• Student development fee from 11th grade
• Variable course fees

The scholarship discount comes off tuition only; the packet lists course fees as variable and to be determined.

Good to know

• Homeschooled students can join the Academy

  Cecil publishes a separate homeschool application packet. The Academy's high school coursework follows your homeschool curriculum while your child takes Cecil courses.

• If you missed July 15, plan for fall 2027

  If you missed the deadline, plan for fall 2027 entry. The 2026-27 packet lists only the July 15, 2026 deadline, so email the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment to ask when the next packet will be posted.

Who to contact about the Academy

Quanette Ford, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment, receives applications and answers questions about Early College Academy admission.

qford@cecil.edu 410-287-1000 Homeschool application packet

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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