In college I was actively involved with Students In Free Enterprise, and in a former career, I worked with highschoolers promoting Future Business Leaders of America.

Business and creativity are a natural progression for homeschoolers. Whether it’s a lemonade stand on the corner, soap making, or website design, there are an incredible amount of opportunities for homeschooled students to use their gifts and talents to create a profitable business from home.

Today, more than ever, opportunities abound. Just ask Dallas Crilley, a 16 year old homeschooler from Texas, who also happens to be an author and entrepreneur. His blog, “kidpreneur,” chronicles stories of creative kids and teens and how they’ve taken an idea and turned it into a profitable business model.

One of the underlying themes is how students have taken something they’re passionate about and turned it into a money making opportunity. Isn’t that what homeschooling is all about…learning about those things that interest us and pursing them? And, if it so happens that these interests can be monetized, even better, right?

Gary Vaynerchuk is a guy who I’ve become fascinated with of late. He’s the founder of Wine Library TV, an online videocast about the wine industry, and he just authored a book about turning your passions into profits. Now, I don’t know about you, but I love the idea of getting paid to do what I enjoy. In the traditional paradigm of education and work, this rarely happens. but today, with the advancement of technology, we see it happening more and more.

Picasso once said that taking action is the key to all success. So what are you waiting for? Get out there, help your students (and yourself) find their passions and begin creating something that you’ll not only enjoy, but might also make a few dollars as well!

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1. Homeschool to Harvard-A Success Story
2. Should We Homeschool Highschool?

Does it hurt to take a year off between HS and college to pursue opportunities in their field of interest?

This is another one of the those “it depends” questions. For scholarship purposes, it might hurt depending upon the school and the scholarship applying for. But then again, if the student is doing something interesting like traveling through Europe or volunteering at a Jamaican orphanage, it may very well help his chances.

Does participation in the homeschool honor society, Eta Sigma Alpha, carry any weight with college admission?

It won’t hurt a students chances of acceptance, as it shows involvement. However, the weight the school places upon participation will vary from school to school.

Do you have any other suggestions for Dayna?

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What are the five most important things that colleges are looking for, i.e. extracurricular activities, leadership, etc?

Now this is a tough question, and the answer can change based up certain variables. Is the student applying to an Ivy League school or a local community college? Does he want to go into computer science or pursue a liberal arts degree? The answer to these questions are vital in determining what the individual schools are looking for. However, all that aside, there are certain things that every student can do in order to best prepare himself for admittance to the top colleges and universities.
1. Grades. No matter what school or program a student is applying to, his grades will matter.
2. Test scores. Since most colleges and universities see home-schooled students as not taking an objective curriculum compared to their public or private schooled counterparts, standardized test scores are even more important than grades.
3. Public service. Schools want to see that a student has been involved and is giving back to the community.
4. Extra-curriculars. Just as important as the others, colleges want to see that a student is well rounded and not one-dimensional. Whether it’s sports, music, 4-H, Scouting, etc. extra-curriculars are extremely important.
5. Letters of recommendation. Most universities require 2-3 letters of recommendation from a non-family member. Remember those extra-curriculars and public service activities? That’s where these letters should come from.

What is the easiest way to find out about scholarship money and apply?

Each school has their own institutional scholarships, so it’s best to check with them to see what they offer and the qualifications. Fast Web is a great resource for outside scholarships and grants. Also, filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the best option to see what your family qualifies for in both federal and state aid.

Any other suggestions? Please weigh in if you have other suggestions or resources.

Related posts:

1. Questions of the Day – Scholarships and Visiting Colleges
2. Questions of the Day – Transcripts & College Applications
3. Entrance Tests & Scholarships

There is always the option of playing for a city or county Parks & Rec team, or the local YMCA or fitness club, but for those students who want to test their mettle at the top level, they need to compete against the best, and that generally, is the public and/or private schools.  Many states are now allowing students to try out for their local public school teams, and since their parents are paying taxes, the same as everyone else, it’s only fair they get the same opportunity as other “traditional” students.

Tim Tebow is a notable former homeschooled student.  Since winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Florida Gators to the NCAA national championship in college football last season, he has done more to help the home school cause of inclusivity than anyone in recent memory.  Recently, several states have brought forth bills to allow homeschoolers to play on their local public school teams.  These bills have been nicknamed “Tebow Bills.”

Here’s a great article on sports and homeschooling Tim Tebow a shining example for homeschooled athletes.

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