Dual enrollment students are high school students who have completed at least the ninth grade and who have been approved to enroll for dual credit (college and high school) in Gadsden State courses while they are still attending high school. Students enroll in college courses concurrently with high school classes. College courses may be taken, to earn both college and high school credit simultaneously, at one of Gadsden State’s campuses, online or at the student’s high school (where available). Eligible students may enroll during the Summer, Fall or Spring terms in any Gadsden State course deemed acceptable by the student’s high school, including both general education courses and career technical courses.
Dual Enrollment students are responsible for the cost of all tuition, fees, books, materials/supplies. Students interested in certain high-wage high-demand career technical, STEM, health science or academic programs may qualify for the Dual Enrollment Scholarship. The scholarship is funded by the Career Technical Dual Enrollment Grant through the Alabama Community College System and may cover tuition, books, materials/supplies. Click here for a current list of scholarship-eligible programs. For more information email dualenrollment@gadsdenstate.edu or phone 256-549-8305. Dual enrollment students are not eligible for federal student aid.
A formal written agreement between the student's local school board and Gadsden State is required before approval is granted for dual credit/dual enrollment admissions. To be eligible, the student must meet the following requirements:
- Students must be in grade 10, 11, or 12 or have an exception granted by the participating postsecondary institution upon the recommendation of the Chancellor and in accordance with Alabama Administrative Code 290-8-9.12, regarding gifted and talented students.
- Students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA average (2.0 for approved technical programs only) unweighted on a 4.0 scale, as defined by the local board of education policy, in completed high school courses.
- Students must have written approval from the high school. Student success in dual credit/dual enrollment is dependent upon both academic readiness and social maturity. Approval from the principal and counselor indicates that the student has demonstrated both. This approval is indicated on the dual enrollment form as part of the admissions process.
- Students must meet the entrance requirements established by the College for dual enrollment students.
- Students are responsible for any transportation required to participate in dual enrollment.
- Any dual student seeking to take college-level English or Math courses must provide an appropriate ACT score or take a state-approved college placement test, where minimum placement is required.
- Students must meet all applicable prerequisites prior to enrolling in courses; developmental courses (numbered below 100) are not offered through dual enrollment.
- Dual enrollment students who fail to earn a grade of “C” or better in attempted college courses will be suspended for a minimum of one term. The one-term suspension may not be served during the summer.
- Dual enrollment students who withdraw from classes with penalty are eligible to return the following semester, but they may not be eligible for scholarship.