Homeschool benefits: Community College of Philadelphia

Through Advance at College's Early Scholars funding, Philadelphia residents in grade 11 or 12 take up to 12 Community College of Philadelphia credits a year with tuition, fees, and books paid, worth $2,496 a year at fall 2026 rates. A homeschooled student qualifies with an official transcript from a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-recognized diploma-granting organization, or otherwise by age, 16 or older for fall, winter, and spring terms.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Philadelphia

   Early Scholars free funding is for Philadelphia residents. Students outside the city do not get this funding.

2. In grade 11 or 12

   Advance at College is for 11th and 12th graders, and students under 21 pursuing a GED or high school equivalency credential also qualify for Early Scholars. Eligibility ends once your student graduates.

3. Shows a transcript or age

   A homeschooled student qualifies with a transcript from a PDE-recognized diploma-granting organization, or by age (15 for late summer, 16 for fall to spring) shown with a birth certificate, passport, or government ID.

4. Ready for college courses

   Your student must show ability in English, math, or both through the college's placement process.

What it is worth

Community College of Philadelphia charges Philadelphia residents $174 per credit for fall 2026, plus a $4 general college fee and a $30 technology fee per credit.

One 3-credit course, tuition

$522

One 3-credit course, tuition and fees

$624

12 credits in a year, tuition

$2,088

12 credits in a year, tuition and fees

$2,496

Two years at 12 credits a year

$4,992

The page says books are free for Early Scholars but also says textbooks are not included for students paying out of pocket, so confirm book coverage with the Early Scholars coordinator.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Create an account

   Create a college account, choose non-matriculated as the academic program, Dual Enrollment as the student type, and Advance@College as the high school program. The application asks for a Social Security number, with instructions if your student has none.

2. With the application

   Sign the consent form

   Return the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and consent form signed by your student, a parent, and the counselor or principal, plus the homeschool transcript or proof of age.

3. By December 22, 2026

   Be accepted for spring

   That is the application acceptance deadline for spring 15-week courses, which start January 19, 2027. The course registration deadline is January 5, 2027.

4. After acceptance

   Placement and courses

   Complete placement, then watch your email, including spam, for course selection and the Early Scholars Intent form.

5. Each year

   Use up to 12 credits

   Advance at College covers up to two academic years, grades 11 and 12. Returning students who already completed the FERPA form and placement do not reapply.

What it pays for

Covered

• Tuition for up to 12 credits a year
• College fees
• Books for Early Scholars

Not covered

• Students who live outside Philadelphia
• Credits beyond 12 a year
• Students who have graduated high school

The Octavius Catto Scholarship, a partnership with the City of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, pays for Early Scholars.

Good to know

• Homeschooled students can join

  The college sets homeschool eligibility for Advance at College by an official transcript from a PDE-recognized diploma-granting organization, or by age if you do not have one. Your student also needs a Philadelphia address for the free Early Scholars funding.

Who to contact

The Advance at College office answers questions about applications, homeschool eligibility, and placement; Early Scholars coordinator Christina Dixon handles the free funding.

advanceatcollege@ccp.edu Information session sign-up

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Pennsylvania

You must file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration with the superintendent before starting and by August 1 in subsequent years. Include educational objectives and required health and immunization documentation or exemptions. Certify that the supervisor, adults living in the home, and persons with legal custody have no conviction for the listed statutory offenses in the preceding five years.

Pennsylvania sets these rules:

• Subjects: Teach in English the subjects required for elementary or secondary home education, including English, math, science, geography, history/civics, health, PE, art, music, and ongoing fire-safety instruction. Provide 180 days or 900 elementary/990 secondary hours annually.
• Testing: Include reading and math test results in the portfolio in grades 3, 5, and 8. Obtain an annual evaluation and submit the evaluator’s certification to the superintendent by June 30. The supervisor, parent or guardian may not administer an alternative approved standardized test.
• Records: Keep a portfolio with a reading-materials log, work samples, required test results, and the annual evaluation. Document the required instructional days or hours.
• Teachers: The supervisor must be the parent, guardian, or legal custodian with a high-school diploma or equivalent. The supervisor, adults living in the home, and persons with legal custody must meet the statutory five-year criminal-conviction condition.

Read the Pennsylvania homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Pennsylvania

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