College Credit in High School Frequently Asked Questions

Through partnerships with Colorado schools and districts, MSU Denver’s College Credit in High School program allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit for the same course at their high school or at MSU Denver.

Through CCHS, students can increase their likelihood of earning a degree, make low-cost mistakes, save time and money, and test the waters of college. Students save an average of $1,500 per class when compared to traditional MSU Denver tuition and fees, and can take 1-18 credit hours per semester.

The program is open to any eligible student in a participating school or school district in Colorado.

College Credit in High School has four tracks:

• Concurrent Enrollment or Dual Enrollment at Your High School – High school students take college courses at their high school. There is no tuition cost to students or their families as concurrent enrollment. Students and their families may incur costs as dual enrollment.
• Concurrent Enrollment or Dual Enrollment at MSU Denver – High school students take college courses in-person or online at MSU Denver. There is no tuition cost to students and their families as concurrent enrollment. Students and their families incur tuition costs as dual enrollment.
• ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) – ASCENT is a
  fifth-year high school program that allows students to participate in concurrent enrollment the year after the 12^th grade, to enroll in college courses at MSU Denver, and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families.
• TREP (Teacher Recruitment and Educator Preparation) – TREP creates the opportunity for students in an educator pathway to concurrently enroll in college courses at MSU Denver and earn college credit at no tuition costs to them or their families for up to two years after the 12^th grade.

Concurrent enrollment allows high school students to take college courses while in high school. There is no tuition cost to students or their families, but they may be responsible for fees, textbooks, and/or supplies. Concurrent enrollment courses are part of an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) program or statewide Guarantee Transfer (GT) agreement between public colleges and universities in Colorado.

Dual enrollment also allows high school students to take college courses while in high school. Students and their families may be responsible for paying tuition, fees, textbooks, and/or other supplies.

Concurrent enrollment is offered as a state-funded College Opportunity Fund (COF) eligible program at MSU Denver. Dual enrollment is a cash-funded COF non-eligible program at MSU Denver. 

To take a concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment class offered at your school, MSU Denver and your high school have initiated an agreement and determined which classes may be provided. You must first be approved by your school or district as a student eligible for concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment. Then you will apply by completing the online Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Application provided by your counselor or instructor.

To take a concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment class at MSU Denver, you must first be approved by your school or district as a student eligible for concurrent enrollment. Then you will apply by completing the MSU Denver Undergraduate Admissions Application. You will also need to complete the Concurrent/Dual Enrollment College Agreement Form with your school and submit it by emailing it to [email protected].

To take a dual enrollment class at MSU Denver, you will need to apply by completing the MSU Denver Undergraduate Admissions Application. You will also need to complete the Concurrent/Dual Enrollment College Agreement Form and submit it by emailing it to [email protected]. School signatures are not required for dual enrollment students.

If your application is complete and all information you provided has been confirmed, you will receive an acceptance letter from MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions. You can expect to be notified within 3-5 business days, depending on the time of year.

Most concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment classes are worth three college credits, though there may be some exceptions. The maximum course load MSU Denver allows is 18 credits for the fall and spring semesters. Authorization for overloads must be obtained from the student’s major department chair and the appropriate dean. If your school or district is paying any of the cost, they may set limits on the number of credits per semester. High school students should work with their school counselor to determine the appropriate school and work-life balance.

MSU Denver offers a variety of course options. Students can work with their school counselor, CCHS Advisor, and/or academic advisor to determine what courses may be available.

Please check with your school counselor or contact the CCHS program.

Concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment students earn credit when they successfully complete a course. Grades are determined by any tests, papers, projects, and other assignments required over the semester. In AP and IB classes, students complete a class and take a one-time exam at the end of the year. Students may be eligible for equivalent college credit(s) if they score a three or higher, and if the college they attend after high school accepts AP and/or IB credit.

Concurrent and dual enrollment on-campus, ASCENT, and TREP students can select a major, but concurrent and dual enrollment students taking courses at their high school cannot select a major.

The ASCENT (Accelerating Student through Concurrent ENrollmenT) program is for high school students who have completed or are on track to complete nine college credits through concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment by the end of their senior year. Credits completed for courses below 1000-levels do not count toward the nine college credits requirement. Students can remain students with their school or district for one year following 12th grade, attend classes at MSU Denver, and their school or district will pay their tuition for the fall and spring semesters.

To participate in ASCENT, you must first be selected by your school or district as a student eligible for ASCENT. Please check with your school counselor for information to see if your school participates, the requirements, and the process to apply.

If your school selects you for ASCENT, then you will need to apply by completing MSU Denver’s Undergraduate Admissions Application.

Your school or district will notify you if you have been selected for the ASCENT program.

You will receive an acceptance letter from MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions at the email address used when you completed the MSU Denver Undergraduate Admissions Application. You can expect to be notified within 3-5 business days, depending on the time of year.

Most classes are three college credits on average, though there are some exceptions. During the fall semester, your school or district may require you to enroll in at least 12 credits. The maximum course load MSU Denver allows is 18 credits in the fall and spring semesters. Authorization for overloads must be obtained from the student’s major department chair and the appropriate dean. Your school or district may set limits on the number of credits per semester. ASCENT students should work with their school or district, CCHS Advisor, and MSU Denver academic advisor to determine the appropriate school, work, and life balance.

MSU Denver offers a variety of course options. ASCENT students will work with their MSU Denver academic advisor to determine what courses may be available.

Your school or district will pay your tuition. Some schools or districts may also cover fees, textbooks, and/or supplies. Please check with our school or district for more information.

ASCENT students are already MSU Denver students! You will need to complete a Status Change Request Form with the Office of Admissions and request that your high school submit your official transcript (with graduation date) to change your status from non-degree seeking to degree-seeking. The form and official transcript should be emailed to [email protected] or submit in-person to the College Credit in High School program (Jordan Student Success Building, suite 330). If you have any questions about the status change process, contact College Credit in High school at 303-615-1234 or [email protected].

The TREP (Teacher Recruitment and Educator Preparation) program is for high school students who are following the teaching career pathway and is on schedule to complete the courses and/or experiences specified in the teaching career pathway in their senior year. Students can remain students with their school or district for two years following 12th grade, attend classes identified in the teaching career pathway at MSU Denver, and their school or district will pay their tuition for the fall and spring semesters.

To participate in TREP, you must first be selected by your school or district as a student eligible for TREP. Please check with your school counselor for information to see if your school participates, the requirements, and the process to apply.

If your school selects you for TREP, then you will need to apply by completing MSU Denver’s Undergraduate Admissions Application.

Your school or district will notify you if you have been selected for the TREP program.

You will receive an acceptance letter from MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions at the email address used when you completed the MSU Denver Undergraduate Admissions Application. You can expect to be notified within 3-5 business days, depending on the time of year.

Most classes are three college credits on average, though there are some exceptions. During the fall semester, your school or district may require you to enroll in at least 12 credits. The maximum course load MSU Denver allows is 18 credits in the fall and spring semesters. Authorization for overloads must be obtained from the student’s major department chair and the appropriate dean. Your school or district may set limits on the number of credits per semester. TREP students should work with their school or district, CCHS Advisor, and MSU Denver School of Education academic advisor to determine the appropriate school, work, and life balance.

MSU Denver offers a variety of course options. TREP students will work with their MSU Denver School of Education academic advisor to determine what courses may be available.

Your school or district will pay your tuition. Some schools or districts may also cover fees, textbooks, and/or supplies. Please check with our school or district for more information.

No. Federal and state financial aid is awarded to students who have earned their high school diploma or GED, have been accepted to MSU Denver, and have declared a financial aid-eligible degree.

Concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP students are ineligible for financial aid.

Prospective ASCENT and TREP students should complete the FAFSA during their 12th grade to explore all financial aid options before deciding to participate in ASCENT or TREP. In some cases, a student’s financial aid package may be a better option. They should explore options with their school counselor or MSU Denver’s Office of Financial Aid.

There may be some scholarships available, but it is up to the scholarship organization to allow ASCENT and TREP students to receive a scholarship.

COF provides eligible undergraduate students with a stipend that pays for a portion of in-state tuition. Concurrent enrollment students taking classes at their high school, concurrent enrollment and dual enrollment students taking classes at MSU Denver, ASCENT, and TREP students must apply for and complete the one-time authorization of the COF stipend. This will allow the funds to be applied to your account, otherwise, you will be responsible for the portion of your tuition the COF stipend pays. Complete the COF application and COF authorization process.

Dual enrollment students taking classes at their high school do not use COF.

Yes, they do! You can apply concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP credits toward a related major or minor. If you choose to pursue a non-related major or minor, you may be able to use the course for “elective credit.” Credits may also be transferred to other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways courses will always transfer and apply to GT Pathways requirements in associate of arts, an associate of science, and most bachelor’s degrees at every public Colorado college and university.

Check with other out-of-state and private postsecondary institutions you are interested in attending for specific details. You should always discuss relevant coursework and degree requirements with an academic advisor at the college or university you plan to attend. MSU Denver cannot guarantee that any college will accept MSU Denver credit. You are encouraged to research this further by contacting the institutions you are interested in attending.

No. Services in the IEP would not be required for concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, or TREP classes. The IEP plays a key role in providing recommendations and documentation for requested accommodations. However, decisions about the accommodations provided in classes will be determined by MSU Denver following 504 Plans and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

MSU Denver is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities. The Access Center serves students with either temporary medical conditions or permanent physical, health, learning, sensory, or mental health disabilities (you may or may not have an IEP or 504 plan at your high school).

Steps to request accommodations for concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment classes at your high school:

1. Schedule an appointment with the Access Center by calling (303) 615-0200 or email Robin Paulson directly at [email protected]. The accommodation eligibility appointment usually lasts between sixty to ninety minutes, during which the student and the Accessibility Coordinator engage in an interactive process to assess and determine eligibility for accommodations in the college environment.
2. Provide your IEP or 504 plan, or other disability documentation.
3. The Accessibility Coordinator will notify your instructors if you are eligible for accommodations.

Steps to request accommodations for concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, or TREP classes at MSU Denver:

1. Schedule an appointment with the Access Center by calling (303) 615-0200 or email [email protected]. The accommodation eligibility appointment usually lasts between sixty to ninety minutes, during which the student and the Accessibility Coordinator engage in an interactive process to assess and determine eligibility for accommodations in the college environment.
2. Provide your IEP or 504 plan, or other disability documentation.
3. You will receive an MSU Denver “accommodation letter” which will notify your MSU Denver faculty of your accommodations. The Accessibility Coordinator will show you how to request your accommodation letter to be emailed to your instructors.

You will receive a 9-digit “900#” student ID number, MSU Denver email, and NetID on your acceptance letter. You will need to complete the steps outlined in the My First Login instructions to set up your MSU Denver NetID and password to access your Student Hub. Your NetID is the portion of your MSU Denver email is before the @msudenver.edu.

If you have additional questions, concerns, or need immediate login/password support – please contact the MSU Denver Helpdesk.

A course drop occurs when you remove yourself from a course by the drop deadline for the course. There are no academic consequences for this action. The course will show on your registration history as dropped but will not appear on your MSU Denver unofficial or official transcripts and does not count as attempted credit.

A course withdraw occurs when you remove yourself from a course after the drop deadline has passed and by the withdraw deadline for a course. The academic consequences for this action include receiving “W” grade notation for the course, which will appear on your MSU Denver unofficial or official transcript. A “W” grade notation will not impact your grade point average (GPA) and does not count as completed credit toward degree requirements.

All concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP students may only adjust their schedules by dropping and withdrawing with approval from their school, unless they are self-paying their own tuition and attending classes at MSU Denver. It is the student’s responsibility to follow proper drop and withdraw procedures. Failure to attend class does not constitute a drop or withdrawal.

Students (or their school or district) who do not officially drop their classes will be assessed tuition and fees.

Deadlines differ proportionally for concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment classes offered at a high school and concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP at MSU Denver.

MSU Denver’s bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and minor programs differ in the minimum grade required. Students should refer to the University’s Undergraduate Catalog for specific programs’ grade requirements.

Most colleges and universities do not give incoming transfer credit for courses below a grade of “C-”.

Students’ grades will always appear on their MSU Denver official transcript and may affect financial aid eligibility, as well as the ability to continue at MSU Denver with satisfactory academic progress (SAP) after high school.

A student is deemed to be making satisfactory progress toward his or her academic goal if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, a cumulative completion rate of 67% or higher, and completes their degree within 150% of the credits needed to graduate. This student is deemed to be in academic good standing with the institution. However, other academic standards may apply to specific programs. A student must satisfy those other academic standards to be deemed in academic good standing with that program.

Concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP students are already MSU Denver students! You just need to change your MSU Denver status:

1. Complete a Status Change Request Form and submit by:
   • Email: [email protected]
   • In-person: College Credit in High School, Suite 330, Jordan Student Success Building
   • Mail: Metropolitan State University of Denver, College Credit in High School, Campus Box 6, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362

2. After you graduate, request with your high school that an official copy of your final high school transcript showing your graduation date and final GPA be sent to one of the following:
   • Email: [email protected]
   • In-person: Office of Admissions, Counter #1, Jordan Student Success Building
   • Mail: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Office of Admissions, Campus Box 16, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362

If you have college credit from any other college(s), request an official transcript from each college or university attended. Official transcripts are sent directly from the requested institution to MSU Denver.

Visit the Student Hub to view and print grades from the current semester, the previous two semesters, and an unofficial copy of your transcript.

Note: If you are attending a different college or university instead of MSU Denver after graduating high school, you will need to have your MSU Denver official transcript sent to that college or university. Before you order an official transcript, ensure all final grades have been posted for the current semester.

Unofficial documents and/or transcripts are copies or downloads that are easily accessible to the student.

For documents and/or transcripts to be considered official, it will need to be sent directly from the issuing school, institution, or agency.

Yes. MSU Denver follows FERPA, which impacts all students regardless of their age and protects the privacy of student education records. Students can grant access to third parties, such as their parents/legal guardians.

If your parents claim you as a dependent when filing taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they can view certain parts of your educational record, like your grades and tuition bills, without your written consent. In order to gain access to this information, your parents must show a copy of their most recent tax return to prove that they do claim you as a dependent.

In all other cases, we must obtain your written consent before releasing your educational records to third parties. You can allow MSU Denver to release your information to designated parties (e.g., parents, potential employers, scholarship advisors, etc.) by adding them as a Proxy through the Proxy Management System.