A state-funded college scholarship program that would expand to allow home-schooled students to compete for money is headed back to the Senate and House.

  Students in public and private schools qualify for the Opportunity Scholarships by taking certain high school courses and scoring 24 on the ACT College entrance exam.  The House and Senate couldn't agree on the specifics of adding home-schooled students but a conference committee settled on an ACT score of 28 for students who are home-schooled and don't take all the required courses in high school.  A lobbyist for the South Dakota Christian Home Educators says the group was a little surprised at the high ACT score required but is happy with the overall plan.  The scholarship that's intended to keep the brightest graduates in the state would allow home-schooled students to take advantage of scholarships in 2013.

Justin Pazera/Associated Press