Dual Enrollment
High school students thinking about college don’t have to wait to get started. With dual enrollment, motivated students can earn college credits while still in high school! Dual enrollment means students may be enrolled in both high school and college. Jackson College provides an opportunity for motivated students to enrich their high school education with dual enrollment options made possible by the Postsecondary Option Act.
All high school students wishing to attend JC need to complete a high school dual enrollment form with the aid of their high school counselor, principal, and parent/guardian. The dual enrollment form must be completed in full before you come to Jackson College to register for classes.
Dual Enrollment Information
Your high school can provide the following information about the Postsecondary Option Act:
- Who is eligible
- What courses to take and what colleges you can attend to take classes
- Who pays for tuition, fees, books and transportation
- The need to enroll in those courses that best fit the student’s goals
- The consequences of failing or not completing a college course
- Effect on student’s ability to graduate from high school
- Responsibilities of eligible students and their parent/guardian
Please be aware of the following information about dual enrollment:
- All students still in high school need to have a completed dual enrollment form to attend classes even if the high school is not funding the classes or accepting the academic credit.
- You and your high school must decide prior to registration, who is responsible for payment and what type of academic credit you wish to receive.
- The signature of your high school principal on the form is needed to satisfy the requirement of high school approval for attendance and indicate that you have received information as required by the Postsecondary Option Act as well as information regarding payment.
- While enrolled at JC you are subject to all college policies governing students while attending classes.
- Forms not completed in full with authorizing signatures will not be processed. You will not receive credit for classes you attend without the proper authorization.
- JC will only release your schedule and grade information to your high school if the high school assumes responsibility for payment; otherwise you must request in writing that your records be released to the high school.
- Your high school may not meet the entire financial obligation incurred by being dual enrolled. It is the responsibility of you and your parent/guardian to meet the balance owed for college tuition and fees. Contact should be made with your high school to determine what balances you and your parent/guardian may incur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for choosing Jackson College. Taking college credit while you are finishing your high school requirements can give you a good start into higher education. We hope these FAQs will answer most of your questions. Please review them carefully.
HOW DO I APPLY?
The High School Dual Enrollment form (pdf) serves as your guest application to JC. Use this form to register for classes.
WHO HAS TO SIGN THE HIGH SCHOOL DUAL ENROLLMENT FORM?
You, your parent or guardian, and your high school counselor and/or principal all sign. Your high school needs to sign off on the “Approval” side of the form to let you take college classes, plus sign off on the “Billing” side of the form to authorize payment. All signatures need to be present, even if you pay for the class yourself and take it only for college credit.
DO I STILL NEED THIS FORM TO TAKE AN EVENING CLASS? EVEN IF IT’S JUST PERSONAL INTEREST?
Yes. Your school has to grant permission and sign in all designated places on the form, until you graduate high school. This is true for summer classes also.
DOES MY PARENT HAVE TO SIGN THE FORM?
Yes, unless you are 18 or older and are willing to assume responsibility for payment.
WHAT IF I’M HOME SCHOOLED?
The parent signs off as the counselor and principal, and the “Home High School” line is filled in as “Home Schooled.”
WHAT CAN I TAKE IN COLLEGE?
Your high school counselor will help you determine what you should take.
WHO PAYS?
Your high school will decide. For more information on the guidelines set by the State of Michigan, visit the State of Michigan dual enrollment web page.
WILL I GET A COLLEGE GRADE?
Yes. Registering for an academic course means you will receive a grade and have a college transcript. A transcript is a permanent, historical record of courses attempted and completed. Any courses you are still enrolled in after the drop date will appear on your college transcript along with the grade earned. These are permanent and cannot be removed or changed. (See Registration and Records webpage for specific deadlines.)
WILL MY CREDITS TRANSFER TO OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES?
Always check our webpage (vfp.js-ayds.com) and with the colleges/universities that you want to attend to confirm transferability, realizing that institutions may change policies and that various programs have differing grade and course requirements. We do our best to make current information available to you and your high school counselor. Overall, only courses with a 2.0 grade or higher will transfer. Some universities, such as Michigan State University, may have policies that limit what classes can count for both high school and college credit. You must have an official transcript sent from Jackson College to your transfer college.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT A GRADE?
You can audit, but you must designate this on the high school dual enrollment form when you register, or before the end of the drop period, still using the dual enrollment form. Check with your high school on the implications of auditing, and the JC website for details and deadlines.
WHAT IF I WANT OUT OF A CLASS?
Always use a high school dual enrollment form, completely filled out, to drop or withdraw from a class. A “drop” is when you take yourself out of a class within the “drop and add” period of not receiving a W (withdrawal) grade. A dropped class won’t be on your transcript and the tuition is refundable. Check the JC schedule each semester for exact dates. A “withdrawal” is when you take yourself out of a class after the drop and add period. Some instructors may withdraw students for non-attendance. Your grade for the class will be a W, which will appear on your report card and on your transcript. This will not affect your grade point average at JC. Some universities, such as Michigan State University, consider a W as a 0.0, however. Also, check your high school’s policy on how a W affects your high school grade point average and your eligibility for participating in high school activities and programs.
WHY ALL THE SIGNATURES ON THE FORM TO JUST GET OUT OF THE CLASS?
Your high school may want to collect the money spent on your enrollment, plus your school might want to know where you are during the time that you were supposed to be in college classes. JC asks for all signatures (high school and parents) to acknowledge that the money issue and the grade/credit issue have been discussed and agreed upon.
WILL I BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY IN MY COLLEGE CLASSES?
No. You will be treated the same as any other college student. Topics discussed and some of the language used may be of an adult nature, and the instructor will hold you accountable for assignments and attendance the same as all other students are held accountable. High school students enrolling at JC are subject to all college policies governing students while attending classes.
CAN MY PARENT OR SCHOOL GET INFORMATION ABOUT ME?
You are protected under FERPA (a federal privacy law), which means that we can only discuss your progress and performance with others if we have your (the student’s) permission. JC will only release your schedule and grade information to the high school if the high school is paying for your tuition. If you are paying but want your records sent to the high school, you must make the request in writing.
WILL MY COLLEGE GRADE AFFECT MY HIGH SCHOOL GRADE?
Check with your high school. Your college grade may impact your high school grade, activities, and eligibilities as well as graduation requirements.
CAN I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
College financial aid can only be used for admitted college students, not dual enrolled. Do apply for financial aid in your senior year of high school to get your college money ready for the fall semester after you graduate from high school.
WHEN DO I APPLY TO JC?
When you are in your senior year, fill out a JC application for admission. Send us your high school transcript and ACT scores. You will be invited to orientation and will meet with an advisor to plan your schedule. Make sure you file for financial aid early. Your high school counselor will keep you informed of due dates. In the meantime, your High School Dual Enrollment form (pdf) serves as a guest application, and the classes you take at JC all count as college courses.
Are you ready for college? Take a quick quiz to find out!
True or False – Choosing a college is a decision I can make on my own.
False. While the decision will ultimately be yours, it is important to talk over the options with parents, teachers, counselors, coaches and other trusted friends who can help guide you in this important choice. Seeking advice is a wise move.
True or False – I can wait until my last semester of my senior year to starting thinking about college.
False. There are important steps you need to take from your freshman year and earlier to be fully ready for college, such as taking challenging courses and saving money. Read through the checklists on this website to see the recommendations.
True or False – No one in my family has ever been to college, I may not be college material.
False – No one is “wrong” for college. Colleges and universities come in all sizes with a wide assortment of programs and specialties – large, public universities to smaller universities, private liberal arts colleges, community colleges, technical and trade schools. All offer some level of support services, so shop around and see which one is the best fit for you.
True or False – I can find help paying for college.
True – Most colleges offer some level of financial assistance, called financial aid. Speak with your counselor or a college admissions officer who can help guide you through the financial aid process, with its first step being filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
True or False – I have to decide on a program of study or major right away.
False – Much of the early semesters are spent taking general studies courses, English, math and so on. Most college students, even those who think they know what they want to do, change their program or major one or two times before they are finished. If you are interested in a shorter career-focused program that can be completed in about a year, it is good to have some idea what your interests are. Speak with a student success navigator right away.
True or False – It’s important to take challenging courses all four years of high school.
True – College courses are rigorous and move at a faster pace than high school, so it’s important to be well-prepared. Following the Michigan curriculum requirements will help prepare you for college academics.
True or False – You have to have perfect grades to do well in college.
False – While grades are important, students don’t have to be perfect; few of us are. Sometimes taking a harder class and getting an average grade can be more beneficial than taking an easier class to get a high grade. Colleges offer support services that can help you along the way, including tutoring and study groups.
True or False – A campus visit can help me decide what college to attend.
True – College visits are an important part of the decision-making process. Visits to colleges, as well as attending college fairs and college night activities, can help you get an idea of what different institutions are like which will help you better decide where you will find your best fit.
True or False – Getting involved beyond the classroom can help me when it comes time for college.
True – Involving yourself in different activities can help you discover where your real interests and talents are. Whether you are into sports, music, drama, clubs, or volunteering in the community, all are worthwhile to help you find your interests and develop skills such as leadership and teamwork, which will help you in college and in your career.
True or False – I can earn some college credit while in high school.
True – Students may take dual enrollment courses while still in high school, putting them that much further ahead when they do start college and save money. Advanced Placement courses are also available at many high schools that can help students earn college credit. Speak with a high school counselor about what is available.