What is the Dual Enrollment College-in-High School program?
Dual Enrollment enables qualified high school students to take college courses at a reduced rate of tuition and earn college credits while still in high school.
How does a high school student enroll in Penn State Fayette's Dual Enrollment program?
The first step that an interested student should take is to contact his/her high school guidance counselor to discuss Dual Enrollment at Penn State Fayette. Students can also contact the Penn State Fayette Admissions Office at 724-430-4130. Students must complete the Dual Enrollment Registration Form on the left menu. This form includes consent signatures from the student and parent. Ideally, the student and parent would complete the form together and submit it.. The school counselor completes the Guidance Counselor Approval/Transcript form.
What are the benefits of enrolling in Dual Enrollment?
The primary benefit of Dual Enrollment is the ability for students to earn college credits prior to graduating from high school. Beginning college with existing college credits may allow a student to graduate sooner, save money, and/or avoid taking summer classes. Because Penn State credits are highly valued by other institutions, they also can be easily transferred to other colleges and universities.
What is the reduced tuition rate for Dual Enrollment?
Participants in the Dual Enrollment program will receive a grant-in-aid equal to a minimum of 50 percent of the current cost of tuition. In addition, students are responsible for the cost of books, which varies according to the class in which the student is enrolled. Dual Enrollment students do not receive financial aid and are not eligible for loans.
How soon may I register for a class before the semester begins?
If there's room in the class, students may enroll in a course up to two weeks before a semester begins. Penn State Fayette recommends that students interested in a fall semester course enroll by May 31, a spring semester course by November 30, and a summer semester course by April 30.
How many classes can a high school student take?
According to the Penn State University Faculty Senate policy, a high school senior may enroll in up to eight credits per semester, beginning in the summer semester prior to the senior year, for a maximum of 24 credits. High school juniors may enroll in one 3- or 4-credit course in the fall and spring semesters of the junior year. Once a student graduates from high school, he or she is not eligible to participate in the program.
How does a high school student qualify for the Dual Enrollment program?
To enroll in the program, a student must be a high school junior or senior with a cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Exceptions can be made for promising students who do not meet the criteria. To remain in the program, a student must earn a C or better in every course.