Homeschool benefits and savings in Curtis

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis charges dual credit students a reduced $78 per credit hour for online college courses, and the program is open to homeschool juniors and seniors. Sophomores can be considered with written approval from the homeschool parent; the next application deadline is January 14, 2027 for spring.

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

Who qualifies

1. Homeschool junior or senior

   NCTA's dual credit program is for high school juniors and seniors and homeschool students.

2. Sophomores with parent approval

   A sophomore may be considered with written approval from the guidance counselor or, for a homeschooler, the homeschool parent.

3. Has a 3.0 GPA

   Students below a 3.0 need a counselor's approval to take a dual credit course.

4. Can work online

   Courses run online in the Canvas learning system and carry the same content and rigor as NCTA's other courses.

What it is worth

NCTA's reduced tuition for dual credit is $78 per credit hour.

1 credit hour

$78

One 3-credit course

$234

Two 3-credit courses

$468

Four 3-credit courses

$936

NCTA's page lists no fees or textbook costs beyond tuition, so ask the admissions recruiter what else a course will cost. The state's Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship is an optional way to help pay.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Pick a course

   Choose from NCTA's list of available dual credit courses.

2. By January 14, 2027

   Apply for spring

   Complete NCTA's online application. The fall deadline is August 27; returning students skip the application and email their course choice instead.

3. After approval

   Claim the student account

   You get one email with a University of Nebraska ID number and one with a temporary password. Claim the ID through TrueYou, and Canvas opens 24 business hours later.

4. Each month

   Pay by the 12th

   NCTA mails paper bills, and all payments are due on the 12th of the month.

What it pays for

Covered

• Reduced tuition on NCTA dual credit courses
• Online courses that may transfer to other colleges

Who to contact

Admissions Recruiter Gaylene Stinman handles dual credit applications, deadlines, start dates, and billing.

gstinman2@unl.edu 308-367-5267 Dual credit page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Nebraska

You must file the annual exempt-school election and assurances with NDE by July 15. For a midyear start, file promptly and begin after NDE receives it. NDE advises waiting for that receipt before withdrawing. Include identity documents in your first filing. Report address and enrollment changes. An active abuse-investigation notice blocks withdrawal and new elections for 14 days after receipt or until further agency notice, whichever comes first.

Nebraska sets these rules:

• Subjects: Provide basic skills in language arts, math, science, social studies, and health, with 1,032 instructional hours annually for K–8 and 1,080 for grades 9–12. Midyear hours may be prorated. Curriculum details are no longer filed with NDE.
• Testing: Nebraska does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: NDE does not require progress reports or a prescribed portfolio. Keep immunization or exemption evidence unless you filed for religious reasons.
• Teachers: No formal education credential is required; assure that instructional monitors are qualified for the five basic subjects. Instructors and monitors cannot have convictions for the felony offenses specified in §79-1601(5)(b).

Read the Nebraska homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Nebraska

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