A required course at a public university can cost as much as $750. In contrast, students can earn the same number of college credits by passing an AP exam. Cost? About $90. You can save money and give your kid a head start on college by scheduling at least one college-credit course in high school.
Take note: Not all colleges and universities have the same policy regarding credits earned in high school. Ask admissions counselors at each college you are considering for a document stating their policy.

Smart Goal Setting for College-bound Teens: Explore Your Options

Make an appointment to talk to your student's high school counselor about the options for earning college credit. The following are four common options and the questions you should ask about them:
1.    Advanced Placement (AP ) Classes

  • Does our school offer Advanced Placement classes?
  • Which AP classes are available?*
  • Which would you recommend for my student?
  • Are there any prerequisites?
  • Can anyone take AP classes, or only juniors and seniors?
  • Does a student need a recommendation from a current teacher to enroll?
  • Is extra help available for AP students?

*There are currently 37 AP classes in 22 subject areas, the most popular are English, biology, and calculus. Students need to earn a 3, 4, or 5 (on a 1-5 scale) on their AP exam to earn college credit. AP classes require more study time, have more homework, and require more commitment from students than regular high school classes.
2.    Dual Enrollment at a Local Community College or University

  • Does our school have arrangements with any local colleges or universities?
  • How do you register? Through the high school or the college? Do you have a contact at the college/university who can give me more information? Will you help me do this?
  • Are there any prerequisites, such as a certain GPA?
  • Who pays for the course: the family, the high school, the college, or the state?
  • Are classes taught at the high school or the college?
  • Will my child be taking the class with college students or with other high school students?
  • Does my child need to earn a certain grade to obtain credit? Is that grade the same for the high school credit and college credit?
  • Can my child take any online classes for college credit? How does she go about doing this? Are online classes offered during school hours or would he take them on his own after school?

3.    Credit for Career Job Training

  • Can my student earn college credit for career prep classes (such as culinary, health care, or computer science) offered through the school district’s career and technical education program?
  • Is this considered a type of dual enrollment?
  • How many credits can my child earn?
  • Who pays tuition at the college offering the credits—the family, the college, or the high school?

4.    Online Classes
Options for online classes include AP courses, college distance-learning and/or extension courses, and classes offered through a “virtual university” such as those in Michigan and Virginia.

  • Do you have a list of approved online classes that offer college credit?
  • Can my child receive both high school and college credit for online classes?
  • Does my child need permission to enroll in an online class?
  • Does the school offer any teacher help for students taking online classes?
  • Does the school pay for any online classes or are parents responsible for tuition and fees?