Dual Enrollment

General Dual Enrollment Information

You must get approval from ILHS to apply for Dual Enrollment or the courses you take will NOT be placed on your ILHS transcript

NOR will they count towards ILHS graduation

Dealines for DE college applications are:

February 15th for Summer sessions

April 15th for Fall sessions

October 15th for Spring sessions

Which means your LCSD Dual Credit Application has to be approved by your ILHS counselor in enough time before the dealine to give you time to apply to the DE college before the hard deadline of the respective term.

Please understand that taking college classes impacts your future college GPA and transcripts. If you do poorly, you can be on academic suspension or no longer be eligible for dual enrollment. That does not look good to future colleges, military branches, or employers.

If your GPA drops below a certain number, you are also no longer eligible for scholarships.

Even if you have a high ILHS GPA, it does not mean you are mature enough to do well in college courses, so please think about this before you apply.

If you do not want to take the time or do not know how to read ALL THE WORDS, do your OWN research, write your OWN papers, read ALL the instructions, attend ALL the class times/orientations, then please do not apply.

YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS THROUGH DE IN THE SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR- take them before, so if you fail,

you have a semester to regain the credit in order to graduate on time!

Step 1- Watch the video ->

Dual Enrollment FAQs Video

Step 2- Read through this website and the tab for your respective college
Step 3- Read through your respective college's website for Dual Enrollment
Step 4- Review with your parent/guardian Dual Enrollment Form 1, but do not submit DE Form 1 yet

Dual Enrollment Form 1

THIS IS NEW- Step 5- Speak to your ILHS counselor and complete the Student Disclaimer (below) and the LCSD Dual Enrollment Application (from your counselor) for ILHS BEFORE you apply to any college. This application will require you to do some homework about your post-secondary plans. Your counselor will tell you if you are able to apply to the college
Step 6- Once your ILHS counselor approves your application to begin the dual credit process, complete and submit Dual Enrollment Form 1 with your parent/guardian. Once you submit you will obtain your "online ticket" (message you receive after you submit the form that you can take a screenshot of), which you need to be allowed to attend registration at your college of choice (bring it with you to registration) The Student Disclaimer (below), DE Form 1 and DE Form 2 need to be completed for each term you are applying- so if you are applying for summer and fall, you will do it all 2 times.

Dual Enrollment Form 1

Step 7- Apply to the college
Step 8- Once accepted by the college, complete all of the steps in the acceptance email to set up your college email and other platforms that you need BEFORE you attend orientation and registration- this includes signing up for an orientation/registration appointment- we will also have a meeting with ILHS students and parents before you go to the college Orientation/Registration- you will be notified of the choice in dates for this webinar after we hear if you have been accepted by the college.
Step 9- Attend their Orientation/Registration (if you are a new student) / Attend their Registration (if you are a returning student) to register for courses- you will receive an email in your college email telling you when it is time to sign up for these events
Step 10-Complete and Submit Dual Enrollment Form 2, which includes uploading your Concise Schedule- follow the directions in DE Form 2- and telling us which ILHS courses to drop

Dual Enrollment Form 2

Dual Enrollment Student Disclaimer Form

1. Follow the directions above to submit this form and see your ILHS counselor to get the LCSD DE application (we will start requiring the LCSD DE application for the Spring 27 term- the spring term applcation deadline is October 15th)
2. Alert your ILHS counselor of any changes- this means if you drop or add any courses, your ILHS counselor needs to hear from you immediately!

Remember- All summer classes are fast paced. You are completing a semester's worth of work in three short weeks- with midterm and final exams included.

3/20/26 Official- LCSD Dual Credit Disclaimer Form (1).pdf

You cannot take DE at 2 colleges at the same time and use your LTAP funding. If you are in an LCCC DE course through York Tech, you cannot get free courses at USCL- you may choose to pay per credit on your own though. The only time this does not apply is for students enrolled in the DE Teacher Cadet course through Winthrop.

New-> if you want a non-dual credit course to show up on your ILHS transcript, you MUST check with your school counselor to be sure the course is listed in the SC course codes AND you MUST get permission from the principal BEFORE you register for the course- see form below

Non MOA Course Approval.pdf

Some issues to be aware of

It is very important to touch base with your future colleges to see how taking dual credits or dual enrollment credits will affect

your path to your degree and your financial aid.

Taking on dual enrollment (DE) is like getting a "fast-forward" button for college, which is awesome—until you realize you might have skipped a few important scenes. While it’s a great way to save money, there are two "hidden levels" you need to watch out for: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Major-Specific Requirements.

Here is the breakdown of how "too much of a good thing" can get tricky.

1. The "150% Rule" (Financial Aid & Scholarships)

Most colleges and federal financial aid programs have a rule called Satisfactory Academic Progress. They will only pay for your degree for a certain amount of time—usually 150% of the credits required for your major.

The Math: If a degree takes 120 credits to finish, the "funding bucket" runs dry at 180 credits ($120 \times 1.5 = 180$).
The Risk: If you enter college with 60 credits from dual enrollment but then decide to switch majors twice, those DE credits still count toward your total "attempted" hours. You might hit that 180-credit limit before you actually finish your new degree, meaning you’d have to pay for the final year out of your own pocket.

2. The Scholarship "Clock"

Many big scholarships (like state-funded or merit-based ones) are only available for eight semesters (four years).

If you transfer in so many credits that you are technically a "Junior" the day you walk onto campus, some schools might expect you to finish in two years. If you want to stay for all four years to do internships or study abroad, your scholarship might run out before you're ready to leave because you’ve already completed the required coursework for your degree.

3. The "Pre-Req" Bottleneck

This is the biggest hurdle for degree completion. You might finish all your "General Education" classes (English, History, Psych) via dual enrollment, but your Major classes (the specific stuff for Engineering, Nursing, or Art) often have to be taken in a specific order.

The Problem: You arrive at college with no "easy" classes left to take.
The Result: You end up with a schedule full of only four or five extremely difficult, high-level science or math classes at once. This leads to burnout or lower grades, which can put your GPA—and your scholarships—at risk.

In many majors—like Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, or Education—classes are only offered once a year (e.g., Level 1 in the Fall, Level 2 in the Spring).

The "Prerequisite Gap" Example

Let’s look at a Nursing or Pre-Med student who finishes all their "basics" (English, History, Psych) in high school.

Fall Semester (Year 1): You take Biology 101. This is the "Foundation."
The Bottleneck: Biology 102 is only offered in the Spring. You must pass 101 before you can sit in 102.
The Crisis: Because you did all your "fun" or "easy" classes in high school, you have nothing else to take in the Fall except Biology 101.

The "Empty Semester" Trap

If Biology 101 is a 4-credit class, and you’ve already finished every other general requirement, you might find yourself with only 4 credits on your schedule.

The Scholarship Rule: To keep scholarships like SC LIFE, you must be a Full-Time Student (usually at least 12 credits).
The Problem: You can't take the next Biology yet, and you have no other classes left to take. You are "stuck" waiting for the next semester to start.

The Result: To keep your scholarship money, you might be forced to take "filler" classes—classes you don’t need and that don’t count toward your degree—just to stay at 12 credits. This wastes your time and eats up your scholarship "eligibility clock" on classes that don't matter.

Real-World Scenario: The "Fall-Only" Class

Imagine a specific course, "Advanced Structural Design," which is only taught by one specific professor every Fall.

Year 2 Spring: You fail the class that comes right before it, or you simply aren't ready to take it yet.
Year 3 Fall: You miss the window to take it.
The Wait: You now have to wait an entire year until the next Fall to take that one single class.

If that class is a "Prerequisite" for your Senior project, your graduation date just got pushed back by a full year. Because you brought in so many dual enrollment credits, you might hit your 4-year scholarship limit while you are still waiting for that one final "Lego piece" to be offered.

How to Avoid This

If you are entering with two years of credit, you should ask the Department Head of your major for a "Prerequisite Map." * If the map shows a 4-year long "chain" of classes that must be taken one after the other, you’ll know right away that your dual enrollment credits won't let you graduate in two years.

In that case, it's better to spread your DE credits out and use them to keep your stress low, rather than trying to sprint toward a finish line that is "locked" behind a yearly schedule.

4. Transfer Troubles

Not every credit travels well. If you take 30 credits of "General Electives" but your chosen university doesn't accept them as "Core Requirements," those credits just sit on your transcript as "extra."

They don't help you graduate any faster, but they do count toward that 150% credit limit mentioned above. It’s like packing a suitcase with winter coats for a trip to Hawaii; you’re still carrying the weight, but you can’t use what’s inside.

ILHS Students you must speak to your ilHS counselor about your plan before you go to register for any DE/DC courses

🎓 Dual Enrollment at ILHS: The Ultimate Guide

Taking college classes in high school is a major opportunity to jumpstart your future. However, because this is college, it is your responsibility to be a prepared and independent student.

1. Eligibility & Partnerships

The "Rising Junior" Rule: You may begin Dual Enrollment (DE) classes after completing your Sophomore year if you have earned enough credits to be a rising Junior (that summer) and have a 3.0+ weighted GPA.
Summer Timing: All DE summer classes are recorded on the previous year’s transcript on your ILHS transcript.
- Note: We do not recommend taking English or Math during the summer, as you need those courses listed for each specific grade year on your transcript.
The Partners: LCSD has agreements with USC-Lancaster, York Technical College, and Winthrop University. * Get Informed: See tabs in the margin for information about each college. It is your responsibility to visit their respective websites and campuses for up-to-date information.

2. The Application Process

Even if you discuss DE during your IGP meeting, your counselor does not register you.

Apply Every Fall: You must apply each Fall. This single application covers you for the upcoming Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
Counselor Review: Your counselor will review your ILHS attendance, GPA, behavior, and your LCSD Dual Credit application to see how the program fits into your future plans before approving you.
Required Documents & Fees: * Application Fee: Check the college website for the specific amount.
- Transcript: Use your ILHS counselor’s name and email where the application asks for the "principal" or "school agent." Once your college application is completed, your counselor will send a copy directly to the college.
- Identification: You cannot use a driving permit as ID.
- Vaccines & Residency: You will need proof of residency, which may include your parents' car registration and license numbers.
- Citizenship: Non-citizens need front/back copies of VISAs for both student and parent. (Note: If the VISA qualifies for university studies, you pay out of pocket—approx. $75.00/credit hour at USCL).
Status Updates: Fall acceptance usually isn't released until late June or July, as colleges wait for ILHS final grades. If you don't hear back in a reasonable time, call the college to inquire.

3. Choosing Your Classes & Credits

Core Prerequisites: * You must complete English 3 before taking college English, and Algebra 2 with Probability before any college Math.
- Graduation Requirements: If you take DE American Government in place of the ILHS senior government course graduation requirement, you must take the constitution test at ILHS that same semester.
- You must also take one of the three economics courses (Intro, Micro, or Macro) through DE for the ILHS Econ graduation requirement. Plan your scheduling accordingly to ensure you get both courses.
Placement Tests: You must take a college placement test for any Math or for World Languages (after completing Level 2 at ILHS).
Course Load Requirements:
- Juniors: Must take 8 total classes (ILHS, DE, or a combo) that count for high school credit (meaning four of your four blocks must be filled each semester).
- Seniors: If planning for a 4-year college, you should take 8 classes (English and Math are required if applying to a 4-year college). Otherwise, you only need 3 credits per semester (meaning three of your four blocks must be filled).
Dual Credit: Each college offers different dual credit courses. Check the college tabs to ensure the course code counts for both high school and college credit.

4. Scheduling & "Independent Study" (IS)

Asynchronous is Preferred: This is recommended in the Fall while you still have ILHS courses to take. Summer and Spring can be in-person.
Synchronous Course Requirements: If you plan to take a synchronous (class meets on a Zoom or Teams calls at a specific time) course, you need to have your own computer, as LCSD computers are not set to allow outside meetings. These classes cannot be attended through a phone, nor can you attend classes while on the ILHS campus.
Senior Safety: You should not take any ILHS graduation requirements in the Spring of senior year in case you fail—if you fail, you will not graduate on time. All ILHS grad requirements taken through DE should be completed by the end of Fall of senior year.
The IS Commitment: If you request IS for 1st or 4th block (or any other block), you must stay in it all semester, even after your college course is finished.
The "Hole" Rule: If you have a gap in your ILHS schedule between classes, you will be assigned an IS class because you cannot leave campus in between classes. Your dual credit course will be listed in that block with A209 listed as the room number.

5. Money, Books, & LTAP Funding

The 6-15 Rule: You must take a minimum of 6 credits to use LTAP funding. You can get up to 15 credits free or reduced. Crucial: Ask your future 4-year colleges if using this now will impact your future financial aid or scholarships.
Books: Sometimes in the Fall or Spring, books will be free at USCL. Pay close attention to emails from the college bookstore or contact them directly.
Seniors & Maymester: While covered by LTAP, these will NOT count as ILHS credit since college grades arrive after ILHS transcripts are finalized.

6. The "Danger Zone": Deadlines & Dropping

ILHS Rule: You have 5 days from the start of an online course (or 5 live sessions for in-person) to drop. After this, the course becomes a WF on your ILHS transcript, negatively impacting your GPA.
College Rule: Colleges have their own specific drop dates. If you drop a class after the college's deadline, it will result in an F on your permanent college transcript. * Responsibility: ILHS cannot help you if you miss these dates. You must pay attention to all deadlines!

7. Managing Your College Career

College Email: Check the personal email from your application daily for your acceptance. Once accepted, set up your College Email and check it at least daily. Note: You will need to access your college's email system daily (can be done on your phone, but not LCSD chromebooks nor on LCSD networks).
Syllabus: PRINT IT AND KEEP A COPY. This is your proof of coursework for future schools. Immediately put all due dates, exams, and college breaks from the syllabus on your calendar.
The Concise Schedule: Once your schedule is set, upload a PDF of your concise schedule to DE Form 2 and indicate which ILHS courses should be dropped.

8. Technology & Accommodations

Tech Constraints: Your ILHS Chromebook will not allow Zoom/Teams meetings. You cannot bring your own computer to work on DE courses at ILHS.
Software & Hardware Requirements: Professors may ask you to download items using programs like Dropbox, monitoring software when taking tests (which also require cameras and microphones), and other items which will not be supported by LCSD equipment or wifi.
IEP/504: If you have an IEP, you must reach out to the college yourself. Accommodations are handled differently at the college level.

9. Looking Ahead to a 4-Year University

Associate’s Degree: This will require summer courses.
Research is Key: Speak with 4-year colleges to see if/how credits transfer. Ask how an Associate's degree affects your scholarships, housing, and cohort program/time at that university.
Transfer Tools: * Please use this link to view the transfer of credits to other SC schools: SC TRAC Course Equivalencies
- This is the one for Clemson: Clemson Transfer Equivalency
- Also contact the admissions counselor at the college you plan to apply to after high school.
Final Tip: Research your 4-year colleges early to see how DE fits into your plan so you don’t lose funding or get out of step with your future cohorts. Do not take classes you do not want or need!

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