One of the most wonderful opportunities for many high-schooled homeschoolers is the chance to take one or more college courses while they are still in high school. Not only can it be a venue for “outsourcing” some of the more lab-intensive or collaboration-improved courses, but it also allows home schoolers to get a head start on their college degree since many states allow the courses to count as both credit for high school AND college.
Sadly, not every state offers a dual-enrollment program, but for those that do, it’s important to find out what the rules are for enrolling, how the credits are counted, and whether the courses are free to students or require tuition.
We’ve compiled the following list of links by state to help you start the research process for your own homeschool. We hope it will help you make the decision whether a dual enrollment program is available and right for you.
| State | Terminology | Link | Homeschoolers Eligible? |
Notes |
| AL | Early College Enrollment Program (ECEP) | Alabama Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | In addition to dual-enrollment opportunities, AL also offers Early College initiatives and the “Fast Track to College Academy” program. |
| AK | No statewide policy, dual enrollment is offered on an institutional basis | Alaska Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Qualified high school students 16 years of age and older may enroll in one or two UAS courses per semester while still in high school by providing the below documentation. Students can also enroll through Anchorage Public School System. |
| AZ | State has two programs: Dual Enrollment and Concurrent Enrollment | Arizona Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Arizona permits students of any age to participate in dual enrollment, and not just juniors and seniors as previously stated. |
| AR | State has two programs: Dual Enrollment and Concurrent Enrollment | Arkansas Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | In addition, the early entrant must submit the credentials required of high school graduates except proof of graduation. |
| CA | Concurrent Enrollment | California Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | The student will earn both high school and college credit. If the student wishes to receive high school credit for a college class, a 3.0 unit or more one-semester college class will earn one semester of high school credit (5.0 credits). Guidelines differ between each college. |
| CO | State has two programs: Postsecondary Enrollment Options and Fast Track | Colorado Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Homeschoolers are eligible for part time participation. See FAQ document. |
| CT | High school partnerships program | Connecticut Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | The University of Connecticut offers a dual enrollment for high school students. |
| DE | Dual Enrollment/Awarding of Dual Credit | Delaware Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | State regulation encourages school districts to offer dual credit courses. Apply at the various universities and colleges that offer dual credit. |
| FL | Dual Enrollment | Florida Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Home Education students who have a 3.0 GPA can enroll in college credit courses, or students with a 2.0 GPA can enroll in vocational certificate courses. |
| GA | Move On When Ready Dual Enrollment | Georgia Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | **FREE for students. The University System of Georgia has developed the MOWR program which all public, private, and home-educated students are eligible to participate. Must apply to college first. |
| HI | Running Start | Hawaii Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Running Start and is offered on many college campuses. |
| ID | Postsecondary Enrollment Options | Idaho Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Both dual credit and dual enrollment through partnership between high schools and colleges. |
| IL | No statewide policy, dual enrollment is offered on an institutional basis | Illinois Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Dual credit is not mandated but integrated into the structure of education. All 48 community colleges offer some form of dual credit. Nearly three-quarters of all high schools participate. |
| IN | State has three programs: the Postsecondary Enrollment Program, Double Up for College, and Fast Track to College | Indiana Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | **Free for students. |
| IA | Senior Year Plus | Iowa Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Homeschooled students have access to the Senior Year Plus dual enrollment process. FAQ sheet. |
| KS | Concurrent Enrollment | Kansas Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | A student can earn up 24 concurrent hours while still in high school. Must apply to desired state college. Example: Crowley College |
| KY | State has two programs: Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment | Kentucky Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | |
| LA | State has two programs: TOPS-Tech Early Start Award, and Early Start. In addition, voluntary agreements between high schools and postsecondary partners are referred to here as Traditional Dual Enrollment | Louisiana Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | **FREE for students. Must apply to the desired state college and submit to their admissions procedures. |
| ME | Early College and typical dual enrollment. | Maine Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Early College for ME and ON COURSE for COLLEGE programs are available. |
| MD | No title. State allows high school students to be dually enrolled in a high school and an institution of higher education | Maryland High School Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | |
| MA | Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership | Massachusetts Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Student participation in CDEP is at the discretion of the participating institution of higher education, subject to capacity constraints and state appropriation. |
| MI | State has two programs (no title for either program) | Michigan Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Post-Secondary Enrollment Options(PSEO) for eligible high school students. Eligibility criteria include: students must be in grades 11 or 12, enrolled in at least one high school course, and have taken the state assessment exam. |
| MN | Postsecondary Enrollment Options | Minnesota Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | |
| MS | State has three programs (no title for any program) | Mississippi Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | |
| MO | Dual Credit | Missouri High School Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | **FREE for students |
| MT | State has two programs: Running Start and Class 8 Alternative License | Montana High School Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | A dual-credit course awards both high school credit and college credit for a college course taken by the high school student. |
| NE | State has two programs: Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment | Nebraska Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | UNO’s Dual Enrollment program allows academically talented students to earn college credit while still in high school. |
| NV | Dual Enrollment | Nevada High School Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | The state has many dual credit programs with community colleges as well as University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the University of Nevada-Reno. Student must submit to admission requirements. |
| NH | Running Start | New Hampshire Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Running Start program allows students to earn college credit while in high school. |
| NJ | Dual Enrollment | New Jersey Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Districts and postsecondary institutions may create partnerships in which college courses are offered to high school students on postsecondary campuses and in high schools |
| NM | Dual Credit | New Mexico Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Early Admittance Program for high academic achievers. |
| NY | No state policy | New York Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Dual enrollment of high school students in college courses controlled by postsecondary institutions |
| NC | Career and College Promise | North Carolina Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | This program allows eligible NC high school students to enroll in college classes at North Carolina community colleges and universities through their high school. |
| ND | Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program | North Dakota Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | North Dakota’s dual-credit program allows students in grades 10 through 12 to take college courses and receive college credit, which also may be used to meet high school graduation requirements. Tuition, fees, books and other costs are the student’s responsibility. |
| OH | College Credit Plus | Ohio Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program. High school students are allowed to take college courses for credit either at a high school or on a college campus. |
| OK | Concurrent Enrollment | Oklahoma Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Concurrent enrollment |
| OR | Expanded Options Program | Oregon Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | A large program allows students to earn college credit while in high school. |
| PA | Concurrent Enrollment | Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | The operation of programs is regionalized not centralized. |
| RI | RIDE program | Rhode Island Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Dual enrollment program allows homeschoolers to participate but they are NOT free. |
| SC | Dual Enrollment | South Carolina Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Dual enrollment courses should be made available only to those who have mastered or nearly mastered the complete high school curriculum and who are capable of college-level coursework which, by definition, is more advanced than the regular high school curriculum provides. |
| SD | Dual Credit | South Dakota Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | The dual enrollment policy in South Dakota, which was enacted through a legislative bill passed in 1990, allows high school students to get a jump start on their college career while fulfilling high school requirements. |
| TN | State has two programs: Dual Enrollment and Joint Enrollment | Tennessee Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | |
| TX | Dual Credit | Texas Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Courses are offered by accredited colleges and include both academic and career/technical courses. |
| UT | Concurrent Enrollment | Utah Homeschool High School Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | State program now available. |
| VT | State has two programs: Vermont State Colleges [VSC] Dual Enrollment and No Title | Vermont Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Eligible students may take one college course tuition free at designated Vermont colleges and universities while they are still in high school or during the summer after they graduate. Voucher Request |
| VA | Early College Scholars | Virginia Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | allows high school seniors to earn at least 15 hours of transferable college credit |
| WA | Running Start | Washington Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | The local higher education institution rather than the high school sets eligibility requirements. |
| WV | Dual Enrollment and EDGE | West Virginia Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | State statute requires higher education to provide college learning opportunities to high school students; Guidelines have been developed. |
| WI | Youth Options Program | Wisconsin Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | State and local school district funding |
| WY | Dual and Concurrent | Wyoming Homeschool Dual Enrollment Info | Yes | Free for high school students |
Dual enrollment is a wonderful opportunity for homeschooled high school students. Most colleges offer discounted tuition for their dual enrollment high school students, however, there are four states that offer this to high schoolers for free. This is a great chance to grab some college credit at a great price! We have found that many homeschoolers choose to use online courses for the high school dual enrollment options which allows them to continue to learn at home with very little adjustment to their daily routine. However, giving your high school student a chance to take a college course also gives them the necessary tools to prepare for college in the future.
