Homeschool benefits: Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa Scholars pays full tuition for up to two years at Chemeketa Community College, $111 per credit or $3,996 a year at 12 credits a term. Homeschooled students who live in Chemeketa's district, are registered with the Willamette Education Service District (WESD), score at least 27 on the ACT or 1270 on the SAT, and place into Writing 115 and Math 095 can apply during the short spring window.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Chemeketa's district

   The district covers most of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties and part of Linn County. Your county elections office can confirm whether your home is inside it.

2. Registered with WESD

   Your student must be registered as a homeschool student with the Willamette Education Service District and send the WESD Home School Student Confirmation letter.

3. Meets the test and placement bar

   Homeschool applicants need an ACT composite of 27 or an SAT score of 1270 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing plus Math, and must place into Writing 115 and Math 095 or higher through Chemeketa's own placement.

4. Enrolls full time that fall

   Your student must start at Chemeketa in the fall term right after finishing high school, with 12 to 18 credits a term.

What it is worth

Chemeketa charges Oregon students $111 per credit in tuition for 2026-27, plus a $39 per-credit universal fee that the scholarship does not pay.

Full-time term (12 credits)

$1,332

Most credits covered in a term (18)

$1,998

One year at 12 credits a term

$3,996

Two years at 12 credits a term

$7,992

Universal fee you pay on 12 credits

$468 a term

Classes past 18 credits in a term are billed to your student, and some classes add course material, lab, or differential fees.

From applying to keeping it

1. By mid-February

   Test and place

   Get an ACT or SAT score that meets the minimum and submit Chemeketa's placement form, which the college suggested sending by February 14 in 2026.

2. Application window

   Apply online

   Submit Chemeketa's admission application for fall, then the Scholars application with test scores and the WESD letter. In 2026 the window ran February 23 to 5 p.m. March 6, and late or incomplete applications were not considered.

3. Early May

   Watch for the award

   Award notices go out by email in early May, with instructions for orientation, advising, and registration from May to September.

4. First year

   Complete 36 credits

   Take 12 to 18 credits each term and finish at least 36 credits by the end of spring term.

5. After spring term

   Hold a 3.25 GPA

   Chemeketa checks the cumulative GPA after spring term, and your student must stay enrolled in consecutive terms to keep the second year.

What it pays for

Covered

• Tuition for up to two years
• Up to 18 credits a term
• The summer term between the two years, at 12 or more credits

Not covered

• The $39 per-credit universal fee
• Books
• Other fees and expenses
• Classes taken before the first fall term

Chemeketa applies the scholarship to tuition before each term starts, as long as your student is registered for classes.

Good to know

• Homeschoolers qualify by test scores, not GPA

  The 3.50 GPA is for high school applicants. Homeschoolers qualify with a 27 ACT or 1270 SAT and placement into Writing 115 and Math 095.

• Ask WESD for a verification letter

  Request a letter from WESD confirming your student is a registered home school student. The WESD Home School program is at 503-385-4623.

Who to contact

The Chemeketa Scholars office answers questions about eligibility, the application, and keeping the scholarship.

503-399-5120 Email form

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Oregon

You must notify your local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of withdrawing from school, or of the school year's start if not withdrawing. You must notify the ESD if you leave your school district or stop homeschooling. After a move to a new ESD, notify the new ESD within 10 days.

Oregon sets these rules:

• Subjects: Oregon does not require specific subjects or a particular curriculum.
• Testing: Use an approved standardized test by August 15 after grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, subject to the initial 18-month testing grace period and disability-plan alternatives. Interscholastic participants meet annual testing or district-adopted alternative academic-evidence requirements, which may include an approved portfolio or work sample.
• Records: Keep test results and submit them to the Education Service District when requested. Retaining the ESD notification acknowledgment is also recommended.
• Teachers: Oregon does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Oregon homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Oregon

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