TAP Coach - Home Schooling

Students who are home schooled have to meet the same criteria—high school diploma, the recognized equivalent, or passing score on an approved ability-to-benefit test--to be eligible for State student financial assistance as do those students who attend public high schools.

However, home schooled students do not receive a high school diploma that is acceptable for financial aid purposes as only public and registered nonpublic schools in New York State are permitted by Education Law to award diplomas. Therefore, home schooled students must demonstrate their eligibility for financial aid in one of the following ways:

• Obtain a letter from local school district officials confirming that the student has received an education“substantially equivalent” to instruction given to students graduating high school in the public schools;
• Take and pass the GED test; or
• Achieve a satisfactory score on an approved ability-to-benefit test

More information on home schooling can be obtained from the State Education Department.