Homeschool benefits: Missouri Western State University
Missouri Western State University's Early College Academy (ECA) charges $99 per credit hour, so a typical 3-credit course costs $297 plus a $15 registration fee, with textbooks and materials included. Homeschooled students in grades 9-12 qualify with a parent-issued transcript that meets the ECA grade point average for their grade.
Who qualifies
Is in high school
All high school students, including homeschoolers, are eligible, and the requirements do not change because a student is homeschooled.
Meets the GPA for their grade
An unweighted GPA of 3.2 plus ECA approval in grade 9, 3.0 in grade 10, or 2.5 in grades 11-12.
Sends a transcript
Provide a high school transcript showing the cumulative grade point average at enrollment.
Has parent approval
A parent or guardian approves enrollment through the ECA online registration system.
What courses cost
ECA tuition is $99 per credit hour, and MoWest lists a $15 registration fee.
- One credit hour
- $99
- Typical 3-credit course
- $297
- 3-credit course with the $15 fee
- $312
- Two 3-credit courses
- $594
- 15 credit hours at ECA
- $1,485
Some courses add a fee for publisher access codes for digital materials, so check the course listing before you register.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Prepare a transcript
Write a transcript showing your student's cumulative grade point average on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
- Application
Apply through the ECA portal
Create an account, fill out the short application, and choose on-campus or online courses. Student and parent contact information must be different.
- After you register
Approve the enrollment
The parent approval is completed in the online registration system, and MoWest emails updates.
- By Nov. 1 or April 1
Pay the bill
Fall and yearlong courses are due in full by November 1, spring courses by April 1. An unpaid balance puts a hold on transcripts and future enrollment.
- Before the deadlines
Withdraw only if needed
Refunds step down from 100% to 25% by date on the ECA academic calendar.
What it pays for
Covered
- Textbooks and course materials for most courses
- On-campus and online courses
Not covered
- The $15 registration fee
- Publisher access codes for some courses
- Replacement charges for unreturned books
Good to know
Homeschooled ninth graders can take ECA classes
Ninth graders need a 3.2 grade point average, ECA office approval, and your consent. Older students need a 3.0 in grade 10 or a 2.5 in grades 11-12.
Textbooks usually come with tuition
You usually do not buy textbooks. Textbooks and materials come with tuition through MoWest Express or the ECA library, though some courses add a digital access code fee. You pay replacement costs if borrowed books are not returned.
Co-ops can set up a class together
ECA works with individual families and homeschool groups, and can build an on-campus schedule or an asynchronous online course.
Who to contact
The ECA office answers homeschool enrollment questions and can set up on-campus or online courses for a family or group.
eca@missouriwestern.edu 816-271-4121 ECA homeschool page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Missouri
No annual homeschool registration required. If withdrawing from public school, a written notice requesting removal from its rolls documents the change.
Missouri sets these rules:
- Subjects: For students under 16, offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction: 600 in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, or related courses, including 400 at the regular homeschool location. The statutory hours and recordkeeping rules do not apply at age 16 or older.
- Testing: Missouri does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: For students under 16, keep a subject and activity record, a work-sample portfolio, and progress evaluations, or equivalent written or credible evidence.
- Teachers: No state teaching-license or degree requirement for a homeschool instructor.
Read the Missouri homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Missouri
Questions parents ask
- Is there help paying tuition?
- Yes, for eligible students. Missouri's Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship covers tuition and fees and is awarded on eligibility, and MoWest encourages eligible students to apply.
- What does my student need for college English or math?
- College Writing needs an English ACT of 18, a passing writing placement exam, or junior or senior standing with a 2.7 GPA. General studies math needs a math ACT of 22, a passing placement exam, or a 3.0 math GPA with Algebra II.
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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