What is Dual Enrollment? 

Dual Enrollment (DE) is a Georgia funded program that allows high school students to take college courses that can simultaneously count toward high school and college requirements. 

What courses are available?

Approved courses include: 

• Core academic areas (English, math, science, social studies and world (foreign) languages) 

  • Course categories such as: fine arts, physical education and health are no longer eligible. 

• Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses. This includes all CCI programs 

Am I a good fit for Dual Enrollment?

When considering Dual Enrollment (DE), students and parents should understand the characteristics of students who are successful in college classes. Students who are considering the DE program need to be:

•  Organized

• Willing, eager, and able to take initiative

•  Mature

• A self-advocate

• Flexible

• A good time manager

•  Eligible for admission to the college

• Have reliable transportation and parking at both the college and high school

• Respond to and initiate communications with the college and high school in a timely manner (within 24 hours or less)

Dual Enrollment Eligibility 

What are the Dual Enrollment eligibility requirements? 

To be eligible for dual enrollment funding a student must: 

• Attend eligible public, private, or home school high schools in Georgia

• Be a Georgia resident (no additional citizenship required)

• Meet college admissions requirements for their DE program

• Be on track for graduation

• Be in good academic standing

• Must not have already received a high school diploma

Funding Cap Eligibility 

What are the limits on the state-funded Dual Enrollment funding Program?

The Dual Enrollment Funding Cap is 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. This is a hard cap. The hours are based on hours paid by Dual Enrollment funding for terms of enrollment in the program. 

All first-time students effective Summer term 2020 and beyond are subject to the Dual Enrollment Funding Cap. 

Grade Level Eligibility

 Who is eligible to participate in the Dual Enrollment funding Program? 

9th Graders

•  Students in the 9th grade are not eligible to participate in the Dual Enrollment funding Program. 

11th & 12th Graders 

• Eligible students may take any approved Dual Enrollment courses listed on the Course Directory, at an eligible participating postsecondary institution (USG, TCSG or private). 

10th Graders 

• All eligible 10th Graders may enroll in approved Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses listed on the Course Directory at a participating TCSG institution only. This includes CCI programs. 

• 10th Graders who have a minimum SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT composite score of 26 in a single national test administration, may enroll in any approved courses listed on the Course Directory at a TCSG, USG or private eligible participating postsecondary institution 

What are the Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment? 

PROS

• All GA public, private, and eligible home school students are eligible in 11th and 12th grade.

• All 10th graders can take CTAE courses. 10th graders who have earned a 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT in one sitting can participate fully in the DE program.

• Tuition, books, and mandatory fees are 100% covered up to a funding cap of 30 semester hours/45 quarter hours.

• Potential for simultaneous credit for high school and college

• College credits are not based on a test score (like AP/IB)

•  Can ease the transition from high school to college

• Students can earn a Technical Diploma or Technical Certifications

• Students can start pursuing career goals earlier

• Greater access to a larger variety of courses

• More flexibility in scheduling

• Some students are truly ready to “Move On” (When Ready)

• EOCs are only required for students taking Biology and American Lit the first time and High School Option B students. Click Here for more information about Option B.

CONS

• College courses come back to the high school as a letter grade and are transcribed by county policy.  For example:

A=95

B=85

C=75

D=70

F=65

• There may be some non-mandatory fees such as: parking, course specific fees, lab materials, personal items, etc. – these are usually nominal

• Challenging classes taught by college professors

•  Colleges communicate directly with student, usually via email

• Some competitive colleges may not consider DE to be as rigorous as AP (see below for more information)

• Credit transferability is not guaranteed, especially for out-of-state and private colleges

• Students may miss high school announcements and activities

• Lack of daily interaction with friends may impact relationships, involvement, etc.

• Students will be in class with college students, as well as older adults

• College and high school calendars (thus, breaks) often DO NOT align

• Professors are unlikely to excuse absences for trips, playoff games, etc.

• Special Student Services must be arranged by the student/parent directly with the college (504, IEP, Healthcare Plans, etc.)

  • • Please speak with your case manager PRIOR to pursuing this option to determine appropriateness of DE

    • College accommodations can be different than high school accommodations

•  Parking is NOT always guaranteed at the high school

• Students at some high school are required to be off campus during their scheduled DE classes – INCLUDING ONLINE classes

• Student must factor in travel time, traffic, changing bell schedules, etc.

• The two schedules might “clash,” resulting in adjustments; sometimes conflicts are unresolvable. Students should schedule DE courses around their high school schedules

Can a student retake or withdraw from a Dual Enrollment course? 

• Effective Summer term 2020 (FY2021), a student may not receive funding for the same course twice. Courses taken Summer term 2020 or later cannot be retaken and receive funding; does not include courses taken through Spring term 2020. 

• Effective Summer term 2020 (FY2021), students become ineligible to continue to receive Dual Enrollment funding after their 2nd course withdrawal. 

• Course withdrawals prior to Summer term 2020 are not included. 

Is there consideration for extenuating circumstances with withdrawals or retaking a course? 

• A student who withdrew from or wishes to retake/repeat a Dual Enrollment course may submit a written Extenuating Circumstance Appeal Request with supporting documentation. The Appeal Request form will be made available on GAfutures in May 2020. (Consideration given only for courses taken Summer term 2020 or later.) 

• The student must have experienced an extenuating circumstance of serious illness, serious injury or a death of an immediate family member. 

• Appeals do not allow for additional hours of Dual Enrollment program funding eligibility. The appeal solely allows for continued participation in the Dual Enrollment program, up to the 30 semester or 45 quarter hours program Funding Cap. 

What options are available after a student reaches the state-funded Dual Enrollment Funding Cap of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours? 

• Students may choose to self-pay for additional credit hours/courses 

• Students who have reached the Dual Enrollment Funding Cap may be eligible for HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant Programs as a “bridge” to additional funding. Students pursuing a technical diploma or certificate program of study in one of the 17 high-demand industry areas of the HOPE Career Grant may be eligible for HOPE Grant Bridge funding. The eligible Postsecondary Institution determines eligibility for HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant. The student must meet all eligibility requirements of the HOPE Grant Program, including residency, citizenship, and all academic requirements. Students may be responsible for any charges not covered by the HOPE Grant and Career Grant funding such as fees and books. The course credit hours paid by HOPE Grant funding will be applied to the 63 semester Paid-Hours limit and the Combined Paid-Hours HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship and Grant Limit. 

• Public high school students pursuing a high school diploma through High School Graduation Option B (SB2) may use HOPE Grant as a “bridge” to additional funds after they have reached the Dual Enrollment Funding Cap. Students’ certificate or diploma program of study may qualify for HOPE Career Grant as well. The eligible Postsecondary Institution determines eligibility for HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant. The student must meet all eligibility requirements of HOPE Grant Program, including residency, citizenship, and all academic requirements. Students may be responsible for any charges not covered by the HOPE Grant funding such as fees and books. The course credit hours paid by HOPE Grant funding will be applied to the 63 semester Paid-Hours limit and the Combined Paid-Hours HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship and Grant Limit.