What is the Dual Enrollment College-in-High School program?
Dual Credit 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.
Steps to apply
- Review the list of approved dual enrollment courses for the semester in which you are interested.
- Go to Penn State’s Dual Credit Enrollment page and click on the link for the nondegree high school enrollment form. Fill out the form and print it.
- Print and complete the Nondegree High School Supplemental Form, being sure to indicate the class(es) you want to take. If you want a counselor to contact you to discuss course options, leave the course selection section blank.
- Scan and email both completed forms to [email protected] or fax them to 724-430-4175.
- Ask your school counselor to email a copy of your high school transcript to [email protected] or fax it to 724-430-4175. Students may also provide their completed forms to their school counselor to submit along with the transcript.
- Students who have not completed their 11th grade year of high school must also submit a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher, counselor, or principal.
What are the benefits of enrolling in Dual Enrollment?
The primary benefit of Dual Credit 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 Credit 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 Credit 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. While the deadlines to enroll in this program are as follows: August 1 for the falls semester, December 1 for the spring semester, and June 1 for the summer semester, 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.
Students who have not completed their junior year of high school must submit a letter of recommendation from high school teacher, counselor, or principal for consideration to the program.