<p>Ok, I just saw this thread - it offers more info than the other I just replied to.</p>
<p>First, I’d delay graduation a year to set you up better. You’re starting applications pretty late for this year for your best options.</p>
<p>Then, I’d look at taking a community college class or two (dual enrollment). These will count as high school credits as well as possibly giving you college credit when you switch to a 4 year school - AND - just taking a couple will preserve your freshman status for applications (important for financial aid at some places). </p>
<p>In the meantime, take some challenging courses and get involved in some EC’s you like (anything from work to clubs to community service). I suspect your scores will automatically come up when you retake the ACT as you took it in your freshman year before you had some of the math classes (like Alg 2). Nonetheless, buy a study guide (Barrons is great) or get one from your local library for free (do the work on a separate sheet of paper) and brush up on some topics.</p>
<p>Then, spend your time researching colleges. You are looking for 100% need-based aid schools. There are a fair number of them out there, but pretty much all of them require a better score than a 26. Try for a 30 or higher. You can do it IMO. You just need a little more time to set it up.</p>
<p>In one more year you’ll have a higher ACT score, some EC’s worthy of adding and Letters of Recommendation from your community college classes (make sure you STUDY to do well in these as they will be what your admissions committees look at highly since you’re homeschooled - the grade and the LOR). If you get a part time job, you’ll also have some money to get you started. Plus, you’ll have looked at colleges to see which types you prefer and who offers good need-based aid. If you’re interested in heading north, Franklin & Marshall is one you might like.</p>
<p>If you are sure you want to go to college this coming year, you still can, but your choices will be far more limited than what they could be - especially due to your financial situation. 100% need based aid schools can be challenging to get into. You could try, but get applying now.</p>