Looking for a scholarship to help your high school grad through college? If you live in Florida, you're in luck. The Palm City-based Florida Parent Educators' Association (FPEA) Scholarship Fund is on the cutting edge of a new concept - educational support provided for homeschoolers by homeschoolers. The organization partners with the FPEA to distribute donations to homeschoolers considering post-high school education, an idea explored by others only on a national level - by the Home School Legal Defense Association - as of this date.

The FPEA Scholarship Fund was founded in 1996 with the inception of the Mason Lighthouse scholarship and the Craig Dickinson Memorial scholarship (named in honor of a trial attorney who wrote pro-homeschooling law in Florida). Local Christian businessmen and other state organizations donate to the fund, as do individuals. "We realized that there weren't a lot of funds out there that were strictly for homeschoolers," founding board member Marcy Krumbine told TOS. "But who can take care of homeschoolers better than other homeschoolers? Thanks to the FPEA Fund, these students have access to scholarship opportunities provided by people who understand their educational background."

Donations to the FPEA Fund are endowed, assuring annual and future giving. In 2005 the fund gave away $5,750 in scholarships to a variety of students - one recipient (with a 1580 SAT score) went on to study astrophysics in New Mexico, while another (with extensive experience as a VA hospital volunteer) used his funding to help pay for medical school.

"Realize that even though you're homeschooling, you should still have a scholarship packet validating your school experience," Krumbine tells potential applicants. "SAT or ACT scores are very important - we base a great deal of value on those results - and you need to have an organized transcript to show to people, even if it's just written by Mom. Communication skills are another big plus - being able to express yourself is going to help you succeed in the scholarship application process."

For state homeschoolers who may consider starting a scholarship fund, Krumbine offers this advice: "Partner with your state homeschool group. Don't try starting out on your own. They have a base of members who will naturally benefit, but will also prove invaluable to your organization as they assist with fundraising and publicity."

Claire Novak is a freelance writer and journalist. Her articles have appeared in The Girlhood Home Companion, The Pebbly Brook Farm Journal, Country Line Magazine, and other publications. She plays an active role in her family's ministry, www.GiftofFamilyWriting.com
www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/ClaireNovak