In this episode we discuss what dual enrollment is and how it can save you plenty of money over your college career. We share our personal experience with our daughter Katelyn and her taking college classes during the summer to graduate on time. We welcome back our guest host Deanne, my wife and she shares what planning for college was like.

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college classes while they are still enrolled in high school. These classes count for both high school and college credit. High school students who complete dual enrollment classes generally take fewer classes in college and save money on total college costs. 48 States and the District of Columbia have dual enrollment classes.

How Dual Enrollment Works

1)Requirements vary by state, but students typically must be a junior or senior and must maintain a minimum GPA, like 3.0

2)Classes are usually introductory college subjects like Humanities, English, Math, Social Studies and Science.

3)If the student passes the class, (Usually means you must pass with a C or better) it will count for both high school and college credit.

4) Most dual enrollment classes are taken at the student’s high school, online or at your local community college.

Cons

There is no guarantee that the college you attend will accept your dual enrollment credits. An in-state public college is more likely to accept dual credit than out-of-state public colleges or private colleges. Students should research their options and meet with their school counselor before enrolling in a dual enrollment class.

A dual credit class will likely be more difficult than a similar high school class.

You have to find a way to get to and from the dual enrollment classes you’re taking. Or make sue it is at your HS or online.

Your school might not have a dual credit program. In that case explore taking community college classes online that will be accepted at your list of potential colleges.

Pros

In 26 states, dual enrollment tuition is free to students through public funding, while in 12 other states parents pay.

Families who have to pay for dual-enrollment credits may use a 529 plan to cover tuition costs.

Dual enrollment courses can cost up to $400. Significantly cheaper than the actual course in most colleges.

Advanced Placement (AP) classes which usually count for a college class typically last for a full school year for one class. In the same time it takes to take a single AP class, a student could take two dual enrollment (or college) classes.

Also consider the fact that if you take enough dual credit classes to graduate from college a semester early, besides tuition you will also save on room and board costs. This will help reduce the amount you’ll have to borrow in student loans.

Recommendation-Pick 8-10 colleges you'd like to consider by the end of sophomore year in HS. See which ones will accept core classes from your community college. Take either dual enrollment classes at your HS.