Home School Graduation Recognition Act
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Would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to explicitly recognize students who complete secondary education in a home school setting — recognized under their state's law — as high school graduates for purposes of federal student aid eligibility.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend Section 484(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a definition stating that a student who has completed a secondary school education in a home school setting treated as a home school or private school under state law is considered a high school graduate for purposes of Title IV federal student aid. The amendment would also rename the subsection heading from "Who Are Not High School Graduates" to "From Non-Traditional Settings."
The bill would not alter any state laws governing home schooling, nor would it change any other eligibility criteria for federal student aid. It would apply only to the federal aid determination context — it does not create a new benefit, only clarifies that qualifying home school graduates meet the existing high school graduation requirement.
Key provisions
- 1Would add a definition stating that a student who completed secondary education in a home school setting recognized under state law is a high school graduate for federal student aid purposes.
- 2Would rename the Section 484(d) subsection heading from 'Who Are Not High School Graduates' to 'From Non-Traditional Settings.'
Who would be affected
Home-schooled students seeking federal financial aid for college or other postsecondary education whose secondary education was conducted in a home school or private school setting recognized under their state's law. Colleges, universities, and financial aid offices that process Title IV federal student aid applications for these students would also be affected.
Why it matters
Home-schooled students and the colleges they attend can face uncertainty under current statute about whether they clearly meet the high school graduation requirement for federal aid. An explicit statutory definition would remove that ambiguity, potentially smoothing financial aid processing and reducing the risk that students are denied aid on a technicality tied to the form of their secondary education.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 484(d) (20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) (Sec. 2)
Adds a definition recognizing home school graduates as high school graduates for Title IV federal student aid eligibility, and retitles the subsection.
How implementation would work
Because the bill adds a definitional provision directly into the Higher Education Act, it is largely self-executing. Financial aid administrators at colleges and universities, as well as the Department of Education when reviewing aid applications, would apply the new definition when evaluating whether a student meets the high school graduation standard. No new rulemaking trigger or reporting requirement is specified in the bill text.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 354.
Official CRS summary
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This bill clarifies that students who complete their secondary education in a home school setting recognized under state law are high school graduates for purposes of eligibility for federal student aid.
Legislative subjects
Education; Elementary and secondary education