Homeschool benefits: Pine City and PTCC
The Frandsen Family Foundation Scholarship pays the tuition and fees left after Pell and state grants for two years at Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC), plus up to $1,000 for required books, tools, and supplies. Homeschool students living in one of ten partner districts, including Pine City, Braham, and Rush City, qualify if they start full time the semester after graduation.
Who qualifies
Homeschools in a partner district
Eligible districts are Ada-Borup-West, Braham, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Ely, Pine City, Rush City, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in Minnesota, and Frederic and Luck in Wisconsin. Homeschool students living within these districts can apply.
Starts the next semester
Your student must attend PTCC in the semester following high school graduation.
Files the FAFSA or MASAA
Complete the FAFSA or the Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application (MASAA) and applicable state grant applications before the semester starts.
Enrolls full time outside the AA
Take at least 12 credits a semester in any PTCC program except the Associate of Arts degree.
What it is worth
PTCC's 2026-27 base rate is $195.33 tuition plus $23.65 in fees, or $218.98 per credit; most technical programs add a per-credit differential.
- One class (3 credits)
- $656.94
- Full-time semester (12 credits)
- $2,627.76
- Semester at 15 credits
- $3,284.70
- One year at 15 credits a term
- $6,569.40
- Two years at 15 credits a term
- $13,138.80
- Books, tools, and supplies
- Up to $1,000
Programs such as nursing, welding, and automotive cost $239.98 to $316.98 per credit with fees, so the two-year value is higher there.
From applying to keeping it
- Senior year
Choose a program
Apply to a PTCC program other than the Associate of Arts and pick your major for the application.
- Before the semester
Apply and file aid forms
Fill out the Frandsen application, check Homeschool, sign it, and file the 2026-27 FAFSA or MASAA and state grant forms.
- Semester after graduation
Enroll full time
Register for at least 12 credits. Tuition is due 15 days before the term starts.
- By the end of year one
Earn 24 credits and a 2.5 GPA
Complete 24 credits, keep at least a 2.5 GPA, and meet an academic advisor at least once each semester.
- Before year two
Renew
File the next year's FAFSA so the scholarship renews for 2027-28.
What it pays for
Covered
- Remaining tuition
- Remaining fees
Not covered
- Associate of Arts degree
- Part-time enrollment
- Students who skip a semester after graduating
Who pays first
- Federal Pell Grant
- Minnesota state grants
- Frandsen Family Foundation Scholarship
The scholarship covers tuition and fees that remain after the federal Pell Grant and state grants are applied to your student's account.
Who to contact
Nancy Mach, the Frandsen Foundation's administrator, answers questions about the scholarship, and PTCC admissions answers questions about enrolling.
nancy@frandsenfoundation.com 320-629-5100 PTCC scholarships
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Minnesota
You must file the initial report by October 1 of the first instructional year after the child turns seven, or after establishing a new resident district. You must file within 15 days of withdrawing a child seven or older from public school, or of moving out of a district. You must file annual continuation letters by October 1 for the required ages.
Minnesota sets these rules:
- Subjects: Teach reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, and PE. Instruction and materials are in English unless the statutory language-program exception applies.
- Testing: Annual nationally normed achievement test for ages 7–16, plus certain 16–17-year-olds first reported after age 16. Agree on the test, administration, and location with the superintendent. State-recognized accredited instruction is exempt.
- Records: Unless the accreditation exemption applies, keep schedules, materials, assessment methods, and proof of testing. Keep immunization or exemption records for five years after adulthood. File immunization statements by October 1 of the first homeschool year and grade 7.
- Teachers: A parent may teach without a degree if the assessment requirements are met. Other instructors need a qualifying license, licensed supervision, bachelor’s degree, or recognized accredited-school route.
Read the Minnesota homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Minnesota
Questions parents ask
- Does the Frandsen scholarship at PTCC have an income limit?
- No. PTCC lists none for Frandsen, but you still file the FAFSA or MASAA because Pell and state grants are applied before the scholarship pays.
- Can my student use the Frandsen scholarship at another college?
- Possibly. The application allows PTCC, Northwood Technical College, or another preapproved technical college, so ask the Frandsen Foundation before choosing a different school.
- What does my student need to keep it for a second year?
- Complete 24 credits in the first year, hold a GPA of 2.5 or higher, meet an academic advisor each semester, and file the next FAFSA.
- Is there a deadline to apply?
- No posted date. The aid forms must be complete before the semester begins, so send the scholarship application at the same time.
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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