Homeschool benefits: Helena College
At Helena College, your homeschooled student's first two dual enrollment courses, up to 6 credits, are free through Montana's One-Two-Free program. After 6 credits, your student pays half of normal tuition and all fees are waived. Students who are 16 or juniors can enroll.
Who qualifies
Is 16 or a junior
Students who are 16 or in their junior year can take college courses. Younger students can ask for acceptance with the Age Waiver Approval Packet.
Shows homeschool participation
Helena College's catalog asks dual enrollment students for proof of high school enrollment or participation in a home school program.
Meets course prerequisites
Your student must satisfy prerequisites and placement requirements for each class chosen.
What it is worth
Helena College's high school page says the first two courses (up to 6 credits) are free under One-Two-Free, and later credits cost half of normal tuition with all fees waived.
- First course
- $0
- Second course (up to 6 credits total)
- $0
- Each credit after 6
- Half of normal tuition
- Fees
- Waived
- Financial hardship
- Hardship Scholarship Form
The page does not list the half-tuition dollar amount, so ask Business Services at 406-447-6921 for the current per-credit rate before your student goes past 6 credits.
From applying to keeping it
- Start
Fill out the application
Complete the Dual Enrollment Application and Registration Form and mail it to Helena College, 1115 North Roberts, Helena, MT 59601.
- Before registering
Meet the advisor
For in-person or online Helena College classes, your student meets a Dual Enrollment Advisor before getting registration instructions. A form alone does not hold a seat.
- Plan ahead
Map college plans
Schedule time with the Director of K-12 Partnerships to plan courses toward a college goal.
- Over 7 credits
Send immunization records
Students taking more than 7 credits must send Helena College a copy of their immunization forms.
What it pays for
Covered
- Tuition for the first two courses, up to 6 credits
- Half of tuition after 6 credits
- All fees
Not covered
- The other half of tuition after 6 credits
- Course materials
Good to know
Homeschooled students can take classes
Helena College's catalog lists participation in a home school program as one way to meet the dual enrollment requirement, alongside high school enrollment.
Who to contact
Cheryl Ravenscroft, Director of K-12 Partnerships, handles dual enrollment applications and planning.
dualenrollment@helenacollege.edu 406-447-6993 High school students
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Montana
You must notify the county superintendent each school fiscal year. State law does not set a specific calendar deadline.
Montana sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide an organized course covering the public-school basic instructional program and meet grade-level aggregate hours: 720 for grades 1–3 and 1,080 for grades 4–12. Kindergarten is 360 hours half-time or 720 full-time. For graduating seniors, 1,050 hours may suffice; statutory proficiency exceptions may apply.
- Testing: Montana does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Montana requires you to keep attendance records and make them available to the county superintendent on request. Current homeschool law does not require immunization records.
- Teachers: No state teaching-license or degree requirement for a homeschool parent.
Montana also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- Montana's special-needs Education Savings Account reimburses approved tuition, curriculum, tutoring, and therapy costs for students with a qualifying disability. Check the program's current notices: a court stay has affected when it operates.
Read the Montana homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Montana
Questions parents ask
- Will a Helena College class count as high school credit?
- It depends on the course type. A dual credit course awards both college and high school credit, though the high school decides how it counts toward graduation. A college credit only course earns college credit alone.
- Can I see my student's grades?
- Only if your student fills out the Dual Enrollment Student Authorization for Release of Information Form. Otherwise the college will not share information with parents.
- What if my child is under 16?
- Fill out the Age Waiver Approval Packet to ask the college to accept your student early.
- Who else can help with forms?
- Mark Mousel, Dual Enrollment Administrative Associate, at mark.mousel@helenacollege.edu or 406-447-6953.
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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