At the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), we recognize the dedication and commitment that home schooling requires. We invite you to apply for admission to our University!

UMC is pleased to be considered a Tier 1 school by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Our admission policies follow the National Center for Home Education's Recommended College Admission Policies.  UMC is also a member of Harvest Home Educators.

Admission Requirements

• Parent's transcript for the student
• General standardized achievement testing (ACT or SAT)
• High school diploma or portfolio

For home-schooled students who do not have either a high school diploma or portfolio, the UMC Career and Counseling Services offers GED testing for $60.

Home Schooling and Financial Aid

Students who have completed their high school education through home schooling and are older than the compulsory age of 16 are eligible for financial aid. Residents of Minnesota may be eligible for the MN State Grant in addition to other federal, state and institutional aid.

Students who have not completed their high school education and/or who are 16 years of age or younger will be considered for enrollment as a PSEO (post-secondary enrollment option) student and are not eligible for financial aid.

Home schooled students are eligible for federal student aid for college if they have "completed a secondary school education in a home school setting that is treated as a home school or private school under State law" (Section 484(d)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965). Home schooled students have not been required to take the GED or take an ability-to-benefit test since the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. High school dropouts must take a GED exam or an ability-to-benefit test, but students who have completed a home schooled secondary education that satisfies the requirements of state law do not. For additional information, see Federal Requirements for Home schoolers Seeking College Admission and Financial Aid , Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), May 2003.

Many private scholarships are open to home schooled students. Some scholarships, however, require a high school diploma or GED. If a scholarship requires a high school diploma or GED, ask for a clarification or exception before applying. If you encounter resistance, it can help to point out that in 2005 the winner of the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology's $100,000 scholarship was a 16-year-old home schooled student.

There aren't many scholarships specifically targeted at homeschooled students, other than those sponsored by the Home School Foundation .

Explore UMC Day
for Home Schooled Students

On April 11th, 2006, the University of Minnesota, Crookston extended an invitation to Home School students and parents around the area for "Explore UMC" Day. The students became familiar with the campus which is celebrated their Centennial as a 100-year old institution. On the schedule were trips to UMC's Valley Technology Park, a business incubator for up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and Heartland Ingredients, a producer of gluten-free food. The students were treated to lunch in Ma Brown's Dining Hall before taking a tour of campus and the brand-new Student Center.  UMC faculty and administration were excited to share information about the many features of the campus such as Campus Ministry, Academic Assistance Center, and the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option, which allows High School Students to take college courses that are paid for by the state.