Other places you may not think to look are military colleges and ROTC. All three branches of the Armed Services operate their own degree-granting academies where a student can receive a "free" academically superior college education in exchange for the opportunity to serve his country after graduation.

Athletic scholarships are another possibility. However, you and your child might want to consider the negative aspects of this avenue before he invests the colossal amount of time required to win an athletic scholarship. First, consider the possibility of physical injury that can take your student out of the running for an athletic scholarship. Second, remember your athlete is being compared to the best in the country. Be realistic about his chances of winning a full athletic scholarship. Finally, assuming your sportsman lands that full scholarship, consider the time commitment required for playing college sports. Remember, the purpose of an athletic scholarship is to get a free education—a purpose that will be defeated if he fails in college.

Ladies and gentlemen, we've now come to the end of our guided tour from career choice to major to college, from applications to activities to aid. I hope you've enjoyed your stroll and that it has helped to prepare you for the real promenade with your homeschool high schooler. Have a pleasant journey!

Important Websites:

ACT (American College Testing)
www.actstudent.org
www.act.org

AP (Advanced Placement)
http://collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html -- Time and location available through collegeboard.com. Sign up through your local high school.

CLEP Test (College-Level Examination Program)
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html -- Find testing center, then contact testing center to arrange to sit for exam.

College Entrance Examination Board
www.CollegeBoard.com
• Tests (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, AP, CLEP): how to study, what is included on the tests, and more
• Tips on how to prepare for college during high school
• College search
• Financial aid advice and scholarship search
• Tips on how to find and choose a college, and how to apply

www.CollegeBoard.MyRoad.com 
• Tips on academic programs, how to plan for college, etc.
• Personality test
• Careers test and majors test
• College major descriptions, applicable careers, etc.
• Career descriptions, college majors, and education needed for career
• Some include average salary and outlook
• College search—set criteria
• Online "journal" of goals, resume, interests, information, schools, etc.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
www.fafsa.ed.gov

PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html

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Renee Janzen resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her four teenagers. Micah studies engineering at Baylor University, having earned 85% of his college expenses in scholarships. Grace is a homeschooled senior and a candidate for National Merit Scholar. Samuel aspires to be a pilot via the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Natalie is considering medicine, but really wants to be a mommy. Renee operates a home business teaching junior and senior high homeschoolers, advising homeschool families concerning college, and writing. You may contact Renee at janzen5@sbcglobal.net.

Copyright 2007.
Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Fall 2007. Used with permission. www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com