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Jumpstart To College

InfoRmation & eligibility

JTC Enrollment Steps

JTC Current Students

Jumpstart To College (JTC) Pathway

Jumpstart to College is a Dual Enrollment pathway available to ALL high schools, including Quince Orchard H.S. Students may take various approved Montgomery College (MC) courses for college and high school credit.

Students may take various approved MC courses for college and high school credit.

High school students may apply at any time based on their eligibility and with approval of their parents/guardians, counselor, and principal.

Students can take a maximum of TWO MC classes at NO COST during the fall and spring semesters. Winter and summer classes are not covered.

Students can take one class or more college classes by their H.S. graduation helping them earn 30 or more college credits.

Eligibility Requirements

Jumpstart To College students must:

be a current 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade student enrolled in an MCPS high school.
meet an unweighted high school Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement of 2.5 as a senior or 2.75 as an high school underclass student.
assess at the college-ready level in reading to take any class.
meet the assessment level (Math and/or English) and prerequisite for any class requested.
take a minimum of 4 separate courses each MCPS semester in any combination between MC and MCPS.

have an articulated plan where the student is meeting high school graduation requirements and have time for college classes.
have the approval of a parent/guardian, high school counselor, principal, and Dual Enrollment Program Assistant (DEPA).

Paying for College Courses

During the Fall and Spring MC semesters tuition, fees, required textbooks, and required materials are at NO COST to families for the first two courses each semester.
During the Winter and Summer MC semesters, some JTC students may be eligible for a Montgomery College High School Grant to Cover portions of required tuition and fees.
JTC students must apply directly with MC to take advantage of the MC High School Grant.
Dual Enrollment students are not eligible for federal financial aid (i.e., FAFSA) or the Maryland Promise Scholarship.
MCPS does not financially support retaking any college course at any time through dual enrollment.

JTC Information Resources:

Getting Started:

It all starts with you!

Begin by discussing your dual enrollment opportunities with your high school counselor.
Using any combination of high school and MC courses, develop a plan to complete all high school graduation requirements by the end of your senior (12th grade) year.
When ready to begin taking MC courses, speak to your high school's Dual Enrollment Program Assistant (DEPA), Ms. Mehta, who can walk you through the steps to apply and register. Ms. Mehta is in Room 103 and can be reached through email at Neelam_Mehta@mcpsmd.org.

Speaking to the DEPA (Ms. Mehta):

When speaking to the DEPA, be sure to:

Discuss the classes and credits you need to graduate MCPS.
Review the list of MC courses approved for dual enrollment and the credit provided by MCPS.
Review the schedule of classes at MC and discuss the times of MC classes and how they will fit into your high school schedule and graduation requirements.
Verify your first and last names in MCPS. You'll need this exactly as they appear in MCPS systems when you apply to MC.

FAQs about Jumpstart to College

Who is eligible to participate in JTC?

Everyone is able to participate if they meet the requirements. Seniors with a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5. All other students need a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.75.

Do students need test scores to particpate in ?

JTC students must assess at the college-ready level in reading to take any class. JTC students must meet the assessment level (Math and/or English) and prerequisite for any class requested.

Meeting prerequisites and assessment levels for the student's selected MC course(s) may require the student to submit SAT/ACT/AP scores to DEPA. However, the student may also be asked to take an MC English and/or Math (ALEKS) remote assessment.

Determine your English and Math Placement. This can be done in various ways:

Provide your SAT, ACT, or AP scores if you have them.
If you do not have scores, it is okay. Montgomery College provides Guided English and Guided Math Placement Tests.
To request a Guided English Placement Test, please email Ms. Mehta at Neelam_Mehta@mcpsmd.org.
Here is the link to the instructions to complete the ALEKS Math Placement Test.

WHere will classes be held?

Classes are offered IN PERSON at all three Montgomery College campuses: Rockville, Germantown, and Takoma Park.

Classes are also offered VIRTUALLY through these formats:

Structured Remote Learning (SRL) format which are classes taken online at specific times
Distance Learning in which class is taught entirely online and students submit assignments on dates specified by the professor
Hybrid/Blended format which utilizes online and in-person teaching

GREAT NEWS: Some MC classes are being offered on our Quince Orchard High School campus! See DEPA for more information.

Is transporation provided?

JTC students must provide their own transportation to and from campus. However, as an Montgomery College students, they can take Ride On buses for FREE as well.

I have the requirements to participate, so what do I do next?

Please, visit the "JTC Enrollment Steps" subpage. If you have questions, contact Ms. Neelam Mehta (DEPA) at Neelam_Mehta@mcpsmd.org.

What is the cost to apply & course Fees?

During the Fall and Spring MC semesters tuition, fees, required textbooks, and required materials are at NO COST to families for the first two courses each semester.
During the Winter and Summer MC semesters, some JTC students may be eligible for a Montgomery College High School Grant to Cover portions of required tuition and fees.
JTC students must apply directly with MC to take advantage of the MC High School Grant.
Dual Enrollment students are not eligible for federal financial aid (i.e., FAFSA) or the Maryland Promise Scholarship.
MCPS does not financially support retaking any college course at any time through dual enrollment.

What is the Difference between dual enrollment classes (JTC) and ap classes?

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