Homeschool benefits and savings in Doña Ana County
Doña Ana Community College's Dual Credit Program waives the full cost of tuition and general fees for high school students in approved dual credit courses, worth $230.25 for one three-credit course at the in-district rate. Home-schooled students are eligible too, but unlike public school students they buy their own textbooks, digital materials, and tools.
Who qualifies
Is a high school student
The program serves students before high school graduation, mainly juniors and seniors. The catalog says home-schooled students are also eligible.
Has a 2.0 GPA
Admission requires a high school GPA of at least 2.0 and meeting every course prerequisite and placement requirement.
Files the dual credit forms
Complete the DACC Application for Admission and the State Dual Credit Request Form, and provide a high school transcript.
Buys own course materials
Home-schooled students pay for their own textbooks, digital course materials, tools, and any course-specific fees.
What it is worth
DACC lists 2025-26 tuition with mandatory fees at $76.75 per credit for Doña Ana County residents and $93.25 for other New Mexico residents.
- One 3-credit course, in district
- $230.25
- One 4-credit course, in district
- $307
- Two 3-credit courses, in district
- $460.50
- One 3-credit course, other NM county
- $279.75
- Two courses a semester for a year, in district
- $921
Lab fees and other course-specific fees can still apply, so ask Admissions about the fees for each course before you register.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Check prerequisites
Look up each course's prerequisites and placement requirements in the DACC catalog.
- Before the semester
Apply to the program
Submit the Application for Admission, the State Dual Credit Request Form, and your student's high school transcript.
- After admission
Register with an advisor
A DACC academic advisor helps your student register for approved dual credit courses.
- Before classes start
Buy materials
Purchase textbooks, digital materials, supplies, protective apparel, and tools the course requires.
What it pays for
Covered
- General fees
- College credit that also counts toward high school
Not covered
- Textbooks and digital course materials for homeschoolers
- Supplies, protective apparel, and tool sets
- Lab fees and other course-specific fees
Good to know
Homeschooled students qualify on the same terms
DACC's 2026-27 catalog says home-schooled students are eligible for the Dual Credit Program, with the same admission requirements of a 2.0 GPA and course prerequisites.
You pay for books and materials, not tuition
Tuition and general fees are waived, but home-schooled students buy their own textbooks, digital materials, and tools, and may owe course-specific fees such as lab fees.
Who to contact
The DACC Admissions Office answers questions about dual credit and early admission eligibility.
575-528-7244 Dual credit catalog page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in New Mexico
You must notify the New Mexico Public Education Department within 30 days after establishing the home school, then renew on or before August 1 each subsequent year.
New Mexico sets these rules:
- Subjects: Instruction in New Mexico must include reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.
- Testing: New Mexico does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: New Mexico requires you to keep disease-immunization records or a waiver. NMPED recommends keeping notices, instructional-hour records, materials, and work portfolios, but does not require those academic records.
- Teachers: The person providing instruction must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Read the New Mexico homeschooling guide See statewide programs in New Mexico
Questions parents ask
- Who signs the State Dual Credit Request Form for a homeschooler?
- Ask the Admissions Office, because the catalog does not say. Public school students work through their high school counselor.
- What if dual credit is not an option for us?
- Students may be able to enroll as Early Admission students instead, but they pay all costs of enrollment.
- Will the credits transfer to other colleges?
- Not always. DACC says not every course taken through dual credit transfers to other colleges and universities.
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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