High schoolers’ Dual Enrollment course options broaden

A recent expansion of the Dual Enrollment grant gives high school students who want to get a head start on college even more motivation to sign up for a class at Pellissippi State.

Qualified students may now receive $300 to take a college class without having to earn high school credit at the same time.

The new directive, extended by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, which oversees the distribution of lottery funds, will make the College’s Dual Enrollment program available to more high school students.

The program allows high school juniors and seniors with a score of 19 or higher on the English, math and reading sections of the ACT and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to take college-level courses in general education areas such as English, math, biology and history.

Beginning next year, courses in Pellissippi State’s Career/Technical programs, which prepare graduates to enter the workplace directly after earning an associate’s degree, will be offered to qualified high school students as well. Eligibility requirements for enrolling in those classes vary with each program, so interested students should contact their high school guidance office or Pellissippi State.

Dual Enrollment courses are taught by College faculty.

Before the new directive, high school students could receive grant money only if their high school offered and gave credit for similar courses.

“I see it as a change in the definition of Dual Enrollment,” said Kathy Byrd, Dual Enrollment coordinator. “In the past, students received credit from both the high school and the College. Now they can get grant money to take a college course without receiving high school credit.

“This allows motivated juniors or seniors to take courses at Pellissippi State that may not be in the high school curriculum. It also opens up the option for students to take courses during the summer following their junior year of high school.”

The bottom line: Dual Enrollment now gives more students than ever the opportunity to get a jump start on college, says Byrd.

“The emphasis is on getting them involved earlier and motivating them to see the value of a college education.”

High school students who qualify for the Dual Enrollment program pay a $10 application fee and purchase their own books and materials; the $300 grant pays the majority of the tuition for one course.