What is Dual Credit?
Dual Credit
is the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit while
still satisfying high school graduation requirements. Students can
enroll in Dual Credit courses once they reach age 16. When students
begin Dual Credit, they are considered college students and are
registering for college classes. They must apply to the college where
they wish to take Dual Credit courses. For this reason it is very
important that students and parents consider carefully the ramifications
of taking Dual Credit courses. Some things to consider:
- Your
student will receive a permanent college transcript for those courses
and their college and high school GPA will be affected.
- Their ability to receive financial aid could be affected based on their college GPA.
- Students
are on their own and must advocate fully for themselves with college
professors – professors are not allowed to talk to parents about student
grades due to FERPA regulations.
- If students fail a college course they will be put on academic probation and cannot register for courses the following semester.
- Attendance is crucial! Missing even one day of class can set a student behind considerably.
Ways to register for Dual Credit courses include:
- In the High School:
This year PRLHS is offering these Dual Credit courses: English 101,
English 175, and Sociology 101 (second semester). Students who take
Dual Credit courses IN the High School are still required to apply and
register at the college. Even though this class may appear on their
school schedule, if they are not registered with the college then they
will NOT receive college credit.
- On line:
Students may register for college courses from any college that offers
dual credit and use the PRLHS computer to access their on line college
course. Registration for on line college courses must be completed
the Semester PRIOR to when you will be taking the course; On line
college courses fill up FAST!
- At the college campus: Students may drive to the college campus and take college courses AT the campus.
Qualifying for Dual Credit
Transferring Dual Credits to Other Colleges
Most
Dual Credit courses are transferrable to any college in the State of
Idaho. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they are
taking courses that will transfer to the college or program of study
they will pursue after high school graduation. Students should check
the website of their future desired college and see what the course
requirements are for their desired program of study. The High School
Counselor is not responsible for ensuring that Dual Credit courses will
transfer. Questions regarding transferrable courses should be directed
to the NIC Dual Credit Specialist or the admissions office at the
college you will be attending after high school.
If you
are pursuing an Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, or Associates
of Applied Science at NIC, see the worksheets below to see what courses
are required:
http://nic.edu/programs/degrees.aspx
Check out http://idtransfer.org/ to see how classes with transfer in Idaho!
Paying for Dual Credit
Dual Credit college courses cost $65 per credit.
Most college courses are 2 to 4 credits, which means you will be
charged up to $260 for that college course. $65 per credit is a reduced
amount from the minimum $136 per credit (depending on which college you
will be attending) for non-Dual Credit students. Taking college courses while still in high school is a great way to save money on your college education!
~Students and families are responsible for all costs of books and lab fees for Dual Credit courses~
The
State of Idaho recently passed a bill that gives each Idaho student
$4125 towards Dual Credit costs; the program is called Fast Forward.
Under this program students may register for college courses and they
will still incur a bill from the college. You must go to the State
Department of Idaho website to have your student create an account and
request funding. You must request funding FOR EACH COLLEGE COURSE your
student registers for. The State will then pay the college directly for
your Dual Credit costs.
*Please note the State will not
cover costs for students under the age of 16 unless they do the college
classes at the High School
Students must TRACK
THEIR OWN REIMBURSEMENT STATUS. District personnel are not responsible
for ensuring reimbursement from the state. For more information or to
apply for funding go to: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/advancedOpp/