Q
I am a senior homeschooler and don't have any scholarship programs that can help me with going to college. It seems to me that I made a bad choice not going to a public school because I will not have any hands-on experience in photography my professional interest and I do not have a photography teacher to write a letter of recommendation for me. I want to get my AA in commercial photography at a college that costs $37,000 for two years, and I need help paying for my tuition and getting accepted. If you have any information about scholarships for homeschool students, please let me know.
A
I don't think you made a bad choice homeschooling perhaps the problem is that you didn't do enough planning. I have a young friend who is homeschooled and loves photography. He started entering (and winning) photography contests as a preteen. He also volunteered at a local photography studio several hours a week where he received hands-on experience, as well as the admiration of the studio's owner. More recently, he saved the money he received from a part-time job and built a darkroom to develop his photos. After a few classes at a local community college, he has his sights set on a respected school of visual arts in New York City. Homeschooling didn't hinder his chances for success, but rather allowed him the time to pursue his passion on a full-time basis.
I suggest you read Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook by Cafi Cohen. You'll find an entire chapter devoted to finding money for college. Cohen discusses how colleges award scholarships based on academic, athletic, or artistic merit. In some cases, financial need enters in the scholarship qualifications. You can also apply for a loan or student employment.
When you request application forms from colleges, Cohen advises students to ask for scholarship and other financial aid forms at the same time. About 95 percent of student aid is granted by the federal government, state government, and colleges and universities themselves. Try these websites for more info:
FastWeb Online Scholarship Search at www.fastweb.com
FinAid: The Smart Guide to Financial Aid at www.finaid.org
U.S. Dept. of Education Guide at www.ed.gov
You might also want to read The Scholarship Book 2002 or Free Money for College by Laurie Blum.