College Credit in High School Frequently Asked Questions

Through partnerships with Colorado school districts, MSU Denver’s College Credit in High School Program (CCHS) allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit for the same course.

Through CCHS, students can get a jump start on college, saving money and time. Students save an average of $1,200 per class when compared to traditional MSU Denver tuition and fees, and students can take 3-18 credit hours per semester (but 15 max is recommended).

The classes are taught by approved high school teachers or MSU Denver faculty. The program is open to any qualified student and school district in Colorado.

CCHS has two tracks for students:

• Concurrent/Dual Enrollment – Students can take college-level credits while in high school, either at MSU Denver or at their high school.
• ASCENT(Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) – Students can take tuition-free classes at MSU Denver through this fifth-year high school program.

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, or supplies. Courses are part of an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) program or statewide transfer 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 have to pay tuition and be responsible for fees, textbooks, or other supplies.

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

To take a concurrent/dual enrollment class offered at your school, you must first be approved by your school district as a student eligible for concurrent/dual enrollment. Then you will apply by completing the online Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Application provided by your school or district.

Students taking classes on MSU Denver’s campus or online will need to complete the MSU Denver Undergraduate Admissions Application. Waive the application fee by entering code “highschool” when prompted.

If your file is complete and all information you provided has been confirmed, you will receive an acceptance letter from MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions. Your school and district will also be notified.

You can expect to be notified within 3-5 business days, depending on the time of year.

Most concurrent/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 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.

MSU Denver offers a variety of course options. Students can work with their school counselor and the CCHS program to determine what courses may be available.

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

Concurrent/dual enrollment students earn credit when they 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 test 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.

ASCENT (Accelerating Student through Concurrent ENrollmenT) is for high school students who have completed or are on track to complete 12 college credits through concurrent/dual enrollment. Credits completed for courses below 1000-levels do not count toward the 12 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 approved 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 and the process.

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

If your school selects you for the program, you will need to complete MSU Denver’s Undergraduate Admissions Application. Waive the application fee by entering code “highschool” when prompted. You will receive an acceptance letter from MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions at the email address used when you applied.

You can expect to be notified with 3-5 business days, depending on the time of year.

Most classes are three college credits on average, though there may be some exceptions. During the fall semester, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits. The maximum course load MSU Denver allows is 18 credits for 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.

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

Your school or district will pay your tuition at a minimum. Some schools or districts may also cover mandatory student fees and textbooks. Please check with our school or district representative 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].

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/dual enrollment students are considered non-degree seeking and are ineligible for financial aid. Prospective ASCENT students should complete the FAFSA during their 12th grade to explore all financial aid options before deciding to participate in ASCENT. 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 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, dual enrollment students taking classes at MSU Denver, and ASCENT students will apply for and use COF. Dual enrollment students taking classes at their high school do not use COF. Complete the COF application to apply.

Yes, they do! You can apply concurrent/dual enrollment credits toward a related major or minor. If you choose to pursue a different major or minor later, you may be able to use the course for “elective credit.” Credits may also be transferred to other regionally accredited universities. Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways courses will always transfer and apply to GT Pathways requirements in Associate of Arts, 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 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/dual enrollment 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.

Students taking classes offered at their high school or on the MSU Denver campus or online should email Jessica Austin, Access Center Coordinator, at [email protected] to request an accommodation eligibility appointment.

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 on the link 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 assistance – please contact the MSU Denver Helpdesk.

All concurrent/dual enrollment and ASCENT students may only adjust their schedules by dropping and/or withdrawing with approval from their school, unless you’re self-paying.

Students must drop classes before the 50 percent or 100 percent refund deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to follow proper drop 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. Students who reduce their course load after the drop deadlines and before the withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” notation for each course they have withdrawn. When a student withdraws from a course, no academic credit is awarded. The course remains on the student’s academic record with a “W” notation and counts toward the student’s attempted hours. The course is not calculated in the student’s GPA or quality points.

Deadlines differ proportionally for concurrent/dual enrollment classes offered in your high school.

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/legal guardians claim you as a dependent when filing taxes with the IRS, they can view certain parts of your educational record without your written consent, like your grades and tuition bills. To access this information, your parents must show a copy of their most recent tax return to prove that they claim you as a dependent.

In all other cases, MSU Denver must obtain your written consent before releasing your educational record to third parties. You can allow MSU Denver to release your information to specific parties (e.g., parents, potential employers, insurance companies) by signing a FERPA Release. To process your request, you must bring the FERPA Release Form and a photo ID to the Office of the Registrar.

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

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

Students and their parents/legal guardians may be required to reimburse the school district if the student withdraws from or receives a final grade of “D,” “F,” or “W” in any class. Students’ grades will always appear on their official college transcript and may affect financial aid eligibility, as well as the ability to continue at MSU Denver in good academic standing after high school.

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

Note: Before you order an official transcript, ensure all grades have been posted for the current term.

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). Contact the Access Center to request accommodations and services at (303) 615-0200 or contact Access Center coordinator Jessica Austin directly by email at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

Steps to receiving accommodations:

1. Schedule appointment with the Access Center by calling 303-615-0200 or email Jessica Austin directly at [email protected]. The accommodation eligibility appointment usually lasts between 60 to 90 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’ll receive an MSU Denver “accommodation letter” which will notify your MSU Denver faculty of your accommodations. Your coordinator will show you how to request your letter to be emailed to your professors.