Homeschool benefits and savings in Franklin and Williamson County
The Williamson University (WU) Promise Scholarship pays up to $6,200 of tuition per term for first-time freshmen in a two-year degree, after federal aid is applied. A homeschool diploma earned by age 19 qualifies, but only ten students per campus receive it. Other options include library educator cards and resources.
Williamson College WC Promise scholarship
Who qualifies
Has a qualifying diploma by 19
Your student needs a Tennessee high school diploma or a homeschool diploma earned by age 19, or a GED or HiSET passed before their 19th birthday.
Is a first-time freshman
The award is for first-time, incoming freshmen.
Enrolls full time onsite
Your student must study full time in a two-year degree program, and the award applies only to onsite courses.
Completes the scholarship application
Request the WU Promise application from financial.aid@williamsoncc.edu and keep a current FAFSA on file.
What it is worth
Williamson University charges full-time undergraduates $665 per credit hour for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
- Tuition for 12 credit hours
- $7,980
- Tuition for 15 credit hours
- $9,975
- Most the Promise pays
- $6,200
- Tuition left at 12 hours with no federal aid
- $1,780
- Two terms at the maximum
- $12,400
Term fees of $550 (technology, administrative, facilities, and alumni association) are not tuition, so the Promise does not pay them.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
File the FAFSA
The Promise pays after federal aid, and WU requires a current FAFSA on file before each academic year.
- When you apply
Request the application
Email financial.aid@williamsoncc.edu for the WU Promise application. WU lists no deadline, and only ten students per campus are chosen.
- Each term
Stay full time onsite
Keep a full-time load in a two-year degree program with onsite courses.
- After each term
Keep a 2.0 GPA
WU reviews academic progress every term, and your student needs a cumulative WU GPA of at least 2.0 to keep the award.
What it pays for
Covered
- Tuition for onsite courses
Not covered
- Term fees
- Books and supplies
- Online courses
- Bachelor's degree programs
Who pays first
- Federal aid
- WU Promise Scholarship
It is last-dollar aid: federal aid is applied first, and the Promise pays remaining tuition up to $6,200 a term.
Williamson University limits the award to ten recipients per campus.
Who to contact
The financial aid office sends the WU Promise application and answers questions about eligibility and aid.
financial.aid@williamsoncc.edu 615-771-7821 Scholarships page
Williamson County Public Library homeschool programming
Who qualifies
Lives in or near Williamson County
Cards are free for Williamson County residents and for residents of Davidson, Rutherford, Maury, Marshall, Hickman, Dickson, and Cheatham counties. Other Tennessee residents pay $25 a year.
Brings photo ID and address proof
Apply online or in person, then visit a branch with a valid photo ID and proof of address to pick up the card.
Parent signs for children 4-17
A parent or legal guardian must sign and be present for a child's card application.
What the card gives you
The terms come from the library's card page and its fall 2026 event calendar.
- Card for Williamson County residents
- Free
- Card for the seven bordering counties
- Free, no devices
- Card for other Tennessee residents
- $25 a year
- Homeschool Hangout, first Mondays
- 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Homeschool STEAM Club, one Tuesday a month
- 2-3:30 p.m.
- Holds kept for pickup
- 5 days
STEAM Club needs registration, which opens a few weeks before each session, so watch the calendar for the opening date.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Start the application
Fill out the library card application online, or plan to complete it at a branch.
- At the branch
Pick up the card
Bring a photo ID and proof of address. For a child's card, the parent or guardian must come along and sign.
- First Monday of the month
Join Homeschool Hangout
Families meet for crafts, STEM activities, book talks, puzzles, and games. The November 2 session is at the Fairview Branch Library, 2240 Fairview Boulevard.
- When registration opens
Sign up for STEAM Club
The November 17 club on sewing basics meets in the Children's Activity Room, 1314 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, and registration opens November 5.
What it includes
Included
- Books, DVDs, and audio materials
- Learning Kits and children's educational materials
- Homeschool Hangout
- Homeschool STEAM Club
Not included
- Electronic devices on bordering-county and fee cards
- Free cards for out-of-state visitors, who pay $35 a year
Who to contact about the card
The Circulation Department explains how to get, renew, or update a library card. The Children's Department answers questions about homeschool programs at 615-595-1244.
615-595-1277 Library card page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Tennessee
For independent homeschools, file a notice with the local education agency before each school year. A first-time filing may be made at any time during the school year; there is no fixed August 1 deadline.
Tennessee sets these rules:
- Subjects: Independent homeschool parents select and identify their curriculum and provide at least four hours of instruction per day for 180 days each year. Church-related schools set their own program requirements.
- Testing: Testing in grades 5, 7, and 9 for registered independent homeschools.
- Records: Independent homeschool parents keep attendance records, permit inspection, and submit them at year end. Maintain grades, transcripts, student records, and copies of final diplomas; provide required test results to the recipients specified in the current testing rule.
- Teachers: An independent homeschool parent-teacher needs a high-school diploma or equivalent. Church-related umbrella schools set their own enrollment and parent requirements.
Tennessee also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The Individualized Education Account pays a student with a qualifying disability and an active IEP the state and special-education funding for their district, including an independently homeschooled student. Most students must have spent the prior year in a Tennessee public school, and 2026-27 applications are closed.
Read the Tennessee homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Tennessee
Questions parents ask
- Does a homeschool diploma count for the WU Promise?
- Yes. Williamson University accepts a homeschool diploma earned by age 19 on the same terms as a Tennessee high school diploma.
- Is there a WU Promise deadline?
- None is listed. Because only ten students per campus receive the award, ask the financial aid office when it starts choosing recipients for your start term.
- Can my homeschooled child join Williamson County Public Library's homeschool programs?
- Yes. Homeschool Hangout and Homeschool STEAM Club are planned for homeschool families. Hangout welcomes all ages, with activities aimed at ages 5-12.
- We live in Davidson or Rutherford County. Do we pay for a Williamson library card?
- No. Residents of the seven bordering counties get a free card with full access to books, DVDs, and audio materials, but they cannot check out electronic devices.
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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