Homeschool benefits and savings in Milwaukee County
Wisconsin Lutheran College gives first-time, full-time freshmen who were homeschooled for high school a $1,000 Homeschooled Student Scholarship, renewable each year for up to four years. Homeschooled students in grades 9-12 can also take up to 18 college credits through the Young Scholars Program at the reduced Early College Credit Program rate.
Who qualifies
Was homeschooled for high school
The scholarship is for students who were homeschooled through high school, and no diploma or GED is required for admission.
Enrolls as a full-time freshman
It goes to first-time, full-time freshmen, not transfer or part-time students.
Applies after six semesters
Wisconsin Lutheran College accepts homeschool applications once your student has finished the equivalent of six semesters of high school, with rolling decisions.
Sends transcript and a reference
The transcript lists classes since ninth grade with grades and credits, and the recommendation must come from someone outside the family.
What it is worth
Amounts come from Wisconsin Lutheran College's undergraduate scholarships page and its Young Scholars page.
- Homeschooled Student Scholarship, one year
- $1,000
- Homeschooled Student Scholarship, four years
- $4,000
- Merit award, one year
- $13,000-$21,000
- Merit award, four years
- $52,000-$84,000
- Young Scholars credits per semester
- Up to 9
The Young Scholars page does not list the per-credit price, so ask admissions for the current Early College Credit Program rate before registering.
From applying to keeping it
- Grades 9-12
Try Young Scholars
Talk with the program contact, apply, and send transcripts and any ACT or SAT scores. Registration opens after July 15 for fall and after January 1 for spring.
- After six semesters
Apply for admission
Submit the application, a homeschool transcript, test scores, and a recommendation from a non-family member.
- With admission
Get merit review
Merit awards are considered automatically from your student's highest ACT or SAT score and unweighted GPA, or GPA alone for test-optional applicants.
- Each year
Keep the award
The homeschool scholarship renews annually for up to four years, and merit awards renew for students in good standing.
What it pays for
Covered
- Wisconsin Lutheran College costs as institutional aid
- Young Scholars courses at the reduced rate
Not covered
- Part-time or transfer students
- Years beyond four
Good to know
No diploma or GED is needed for admission
Wisconsin Lutheran College looks at standardized test scores and the homeschool transcript in place of a diploma or GED, and recommends at least a 21 ACT (or SAT equivalent) and a 2.7 GPA.
Ask how the two awards combine
The page lists both awards without saying whether they stack. Homeschooled students are considered for merit awards automatically, so ask the financial aid office how they combine in your student's package.
Who to contact
The admissions office answers questions about homeschool applications and scholarships; Melanie Rock, admissions counselor, handles the Young Scholars Program.
melanie.rock@wlc.edu 414-443-8800 Homeschooled students
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Wisconsin
You must file PI-1206 with DPI each year between July 1 and October 15. For withdrawal from public or private school after October 15, submit or update it on or before the date attendance ends. Update it when changing districts or the number of enrolled children.
Wisconsin sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide at least 875 instructional hours each year and a sequentially progressive curriculum in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health.
- Testing: Wisconsin does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Keep copies of submitted PI-1206 reports; DPI retains them for seven years. Detailed instructional records are recommended, with no routine state submission required.
- Teachers: Wisconsin does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Wisconsin homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Wisconsin
Questions parents ask
- What should a transcript look like if we did not use a packaged curriculum?
- Describe each class, or list the textbook title and publisher on the transcript. The college provides transcript templates by year and by subject.
- Can my 10th grader take a college class now?
- Yes. Young Scholars is open to homeschooled students in grades 9-12, usually one or two courses a semester, with placement exams for math above MAT 210 and advanced Spanish.
- Who do we call about Young Scholars?
- Melanie Rock, admissions counselor, at 414-443-8718 or melanie.rock@wlc.edu.
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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