Online Dual Enrollment Programs

As they begin to think about college, many high school students may find they want something different out of their high school experiences. Whether students are looking to get a head start on earning college credits, explore subjects that aren’t covered in traditional high school classes, take on a more rigorous or engaging workload or get an early glimpse of life after high school, dual enrollment can be an excellent route to take. Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credit while in high school, and it can be extremely beneficial. Studies have found a positive correlation between dual enrollment and short- and long-term student success, and students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to earn degrees and to do so sooner than other students.

However, it’s important for students and their families to have a full understanding of dual enrollment before jumping into a program. Keep reading for information about dual enrollment programs and how they compare with other college-level academic programs, and gain advice and insights from dual enrollment insiders.

While many dual enrollment opportunities take place on campuses, students also can find online programs that make dual enrollment a little more convenient. Through online dual enrollment programs, students can still earn college credit without needing to commute to campus. Students can check out these online dual enrollment programs or search for specific programs in their areas.

Dual enrollment is a unique opportunity for high school students to take college classes while earning their high school diplomas. Students are enrolled in both their high schools and, generally, nearby community colleges or other postsecondary institutions, where they take college courses. This gives students the opportunity to get a head start on college and get a taste of college-level work.

Dual enrollment programs can take a few different forms. Some programs have high school students go to a nearby college to take their courses. This allows students to be fully immersed in a college setting with college students as peers. “Spending time on a college campus is a wonderful experience that can ease the transition to college,” says college admissions expert and former high school guidance counselor Michelle McAnaney. “Students will meet college students who may serve as role models. Additionally, time spent on a college campus can assist students with the college search process. They will have a better idea of what kind of college they would like to attend.”

These dual enrollment courses are taught by college professors who not only are qualified experts in their fields but who also can provide students with college recommendation letters. A huge benefit of taking dual enrollment courses directly through a local college is that the credits earned in high school have a high chance of fully transferring to that college, should students choose to enroll there after graduation.

Concurrent enrollment programs take place at students’ own high schools or at one particular high school in a given school district. These convenient programs allow students to remain in a familiar setting while still enabling them to take college-level courses in high school. These courses may be taught by college professors or approved high school teachers and are comprised only of dually enrolled high school students.

If available, students may also want to take advantage of Early College High School (ECHS) programs, in which students attend courses at local colleges — typically community colleges — and simultaneously pursue their diplomas in courses taught by high school teachers while also earning college credits in classes taught by college professors and predominantly comprised of college students. These programs tend to let students take more college credits than other forms of dual enrollment, which often limit students to one or two classes per semester. A study published in 2017 found that by the time they finish high school, ECHS students earn 21.6 college credits on average. Dedicated students may be able to earn associate degrees by the time they graduate from high school.

Dual enrollment is usually reserved for high school juniors and seniors (though this isn’t absolute) and eligibility varies by school. Students can get detailed information from their school counselors. McAnaney suggests that students and their families check with prospective colleges to see if credits earned through dual enrollment will transfer. Colleges vary in their policies. However, she also says students shouldn’t fret too much if their credits don’t transfer to their dream schools. “College admissions decisions are very difficult to predict,” she says. “The college the student ultimately attends may accept the credit. Additionally, admissions counselors look favorably upon students who have challenged themselves with dual enrollment courses. Even if the credit does not transfer, achieving a good grade in the course could help a student’s admissions chances.”

Dual enrollment offers many perks and can be a great choice for students looking to get a head start or a change of pace. However, it’s not for everyone. Students and their families should be sure to check the specific details of any dual enrollment programs they’re considering to and weigh the following pros and cons.

Students considering dual enrollment may find themselves comparing it against programs such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). While all of these programs expose students to postsecondary work, there are a few key differences.

Unlike AP or IB, dual enrollment grades appear on both high school and college transcripts. McAnaney reminds student that this provides additional documentation students can include in their college applications, and it can affect transfer of credit between institutions, especially if students take courses outside of general education or core.

AP and IB programs also take place at high schools. Classes are taught by high school teachers exclusively to high school students. This is generally not the case with dual enrollment. Dually enrolled students take classes intended for college students rather than for high-achieving high school students. Because of this, the classes dually enrolled students may take can vary widely in terms of content and rigor. AP and IB programs are based on national and international standards, so a student in Arizona will have a similar experience to that of a student in Maine. Dual enrollment offers a different experience that’s influenced by a particular college’s environment as well as its coursework and instructors.

AP and IB students must also fulfill additional requirements beyond coursework. In order to gain college credit, AP students must pass a hefty standardized exam for each course they take. IB students generally need to complete major thesis projects at the end of their programs. Dual enrollment students only need to take and pass their courses to receive credit. Like high school classes, this usually involves maintaining good attendance, completing assignments and taking a few tests.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is another form of dual or concurrent enrollment that students may want to explore. In these programs, students learn technical and career-based skills while earning college credit.

When searching for dual enrollment programs, students may encounter concurrent enrollment programs. The terms are often conflated, but dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment are not the same. “Concurrent enrollment is a type of dual enrollment where the course is taken at the high school,” says McAnaney. “The students in the class are high school classmates, and the teacher is a high school teacher that has been approved by the college to teach the course.” These programs can be excellent for students with limited transportation who still want to explore college-level courses, but it’s important to note that some colleges are skeptical of the quality of concurrent-enrollment programs and may not accept credits earned this way.

Dual enrollment policies vary by state, so students and their families should check the details of their states’ policies with the Education Commission of the States to learn how dual enrollment programs will work for them. State policies described by ECS include general program information, program accessibility, financial information, quality standards and information on the transferability of credits to local institutions. These policies generally do not include information on ECHS programs.

Whether students must pay for dual enrollment and how much depend on their states’ dual enrollment policies and the individual programs to which they apply. McAnaney notes that most students pay out of pocket, but that shouldn’t deter them. “This is often a wise investment,” she says. “A few hundred dollars for the course is much cheaper than students would pay to take the same course at college.” It’s fairly common for dual enrollment programs to offer discounted or subsidized tuition to high school students, and some high schools may cover the costs of courses and books. Many ECHS dual enrollment programs are tuition free.

If students find they have to pay for tuition or for books, supplies and other fees, they may want to look into various financial aid options. Scholarships and grants may be available to dual enrollment students. For instance, the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation offers the lottery-funded Dual Enrollment Grant to Tennessee students looking to earn college credits in high school, and Cleveland State Community College offers additional dual enrollment scholarships along with the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Lottery Grant. These are excellent forms of financial aid because they don’t need to be paid back. High school and college counselors should be able to point students toward available grants and scholarships, or students can check for financial aid opportunities on their dual enrollment program websites.

There have been recent pushes to allow qualifying high school students to use Pell Grant funds to finance their dual enrollment. While this can be a good solution for some students, using Pell Grant money early comes with risks. Pell Grant funds cap after the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of study. If students use some of their Pell Grant while in high school and their credits don’t transfer, they may not be left with enough Pell Grant money to get through their full degree programs. Students who plan to earn associate degrees or other postsecondary diplomas may find that the Pell Grant is a good option for them. Often when students with associate degrees enter four-year institutions, they are admitted as juniors. This means that, even after using some Pell Grant funds in high school, students will still be on track to finish bachelor’s degree programs before their funds cap. A student who knows he or she will continue college at the dual enrollment institution or at an institution with a credit transfer agreement in place may also be at lower risk of exhausting Pell Grant funds too early.

While student loans aren’t likely available to dual enrollment students, students and their families can look into private loans or get creative with crowdfunding through platforms like GoFundMe.

Shaynee Copple, Former Dual Enrollment Student

When it comes to learning about dual enrollment, high school and college counselors are excellent resources. However, tons of useful information can be found online, too. Students can check out these dual enrollment tools and resources to get started.