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    • GETTING CAUGHT UP

    Filed at 9:18 am under by dcobranchi

    MIT’s Technology Review has a decent article on two generations of homeschoolers at the Institute. Overall, it’s not bad, though there is one major piece of disinformation:

    Parents who stay with homeschooling for the long haul face challenges preparing their children for college. In some states, it can be difficult to acquire the high-school diploma necessary not only for college admission but also for federal aid.

    I don’t know of any state that requires a HS diploma (GED?) for acceptance into college. And the feds clarified that homeschoolers are eligible for financial aid two years ago. No diploma needed. (Hat tip: Jill)

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    One Response to “GETTING CAUGHT UP”


    Comment by
    maryalice
    January 23rd, 2005
    at 2:17 pm

    There’s always a twist in PA. A high school diploma is NOT required for Federal Aid, but for PHAA (PA state aid) there are 3 ways for a homeschooler satisfy the high school requirement.
    1. GED (Most do not do that because of the stigma attached.)
    2. Sign off from the local public school superintendent. (I have heard that this is difficult because of public school-homeschool relationships. It is not required of the superintendent.)
    3. PURCHASE a diploma from a state recognized (non-accredited) diploma program.

    So for a low income homeschooler to get PA state aid, they must PURCHASE a product from those who make money on the service.

    The diploma is not required to get into colleges; but many here feel like they wouldn’t get in without it because of the sales jobs of those peddling the product. It becomes a sort of “rabbit’s foot” in PA.