One small little-kept secret about going to college as a freshman means you have to retain your freshman status until you begin at the University. Taking college classes within the context of dual enrollment does not affect freshman status and can actually lessen the time spent in college by bringing your student closer to their degree requirements.
When college classes are counted toward high school credits, then they are counted as high school courses, and the student is still considered a freshman in terms of the university admission. In senior year, you can take college classes that are placed on the high school transcript.
Here is the big problem: the moment a student graduates from high school, any community college courses taken after that point are considered college-level, not high school, courses. This means that even a single credit taken after high school graduation can change a student’s status from a freshman to a transfer student, making them ineligible for freshman scholarships. So, taking community college courses while you are in high school is not a problem, but taking ANY community college courses after you graduate high school can be a BIG problem and it can eliminate your student’s freshman scholarships.
It’s a good idea to contact the university you are applying to – well in advance, if possible. Each university can set their own policy about these kinds of things, so it can vary widely across states and counties and colleges. Because dual enrollment for public school students is not usually offered during the summer, they may assume that ANY summer classes at a community college aren’t dual enrollment. You want to make sure to check on that. There are some universities that are dissatisfied with the academics of community college classes. For that reason, some universities don’t accept community college courses for credit, and those classes will count just like any other high school level course. With policies varying widely, it’s important to check with each individual university you apply to.
For student-athletes, it’s important to ensure that dual enrollment courses meet NCAA eligibility standards, as these courses can impact your ability to participate in college sports. Checking NCAA guidelines early is highly recommended.
Federal grants and financial aid (such as Pell Grants) are distributed based on the FAFSA and your enrollment status, not necessarily by whether you are considered a freshman or transfer student. However, maintaining freshman status can help you qualify for university-specific scholarships.
For some families and in some situations, it would make sense to take a summer course at the community college and delay admission into a university. While it’s true that the student will not receive freshman admission scholarships, community college courses are typically so inexpensive the strategy can still save a family money. University freshmen do receive additional scholarships, but that is not the only financial consideration. Compare freshman scholarships with potential saving on tuition with dual enrollment.
I’d love to hear from you. Did you choose to keep the freshman status? Choose to do more dual enrollment? Share your experience so other moms can be encouraged and informed!
