Earn College Credit in High School

We can help you get an early start on your college education!

Hallway in high school with lockers and students talking

As a high school student, you can apply to take college-level classes through ºÚÁϳԹϾW.

Courses for high school students have the following options:

1. Dual Credit – Courses taken at the high school with a high school instructor. The student earns both high school and college credit.

2. College Now – Courses taken at ºÚÁϳԹϾW with ºÚÁϳԹϾW instructors. The student earns both high school and college credit. (ºÚÁϳԹϾW tuition, fees and book costs apply).

3. Courses Only – Courses taken directly through the college, earning ºÚÁϳԹϾW college credit. (ºÚÁϳԹϾW tuition, fees and book costs apply).

Start by talking with your high school guidance counselor or contacting us (email Lynn Gerton or call 217-786-2582) to find out if there is an option through your high school to earn college credit from ºÚÁϳԹϾW.

If not, learn more about ºÚÁϳԹϾW’s Courses Only option and classes for those not yet 16.

Students will need to complete the ºÚÁϳԹϾW application as a student taking college classes in high school.

If under the age of 16, you will be notified about a special enrollment process after your application has been processed.

Tip: Be sure to monitor the email you provide in the application. You will receive important information on account activation.

After submitting your application, watch for your ºÚÁϳԹϾW Welcome email for confirmation that you can now activate your account. Note: You will receive your welcome email within one to three business days (days the college is open).

We will send you important notifications via your ºÚÁϳԹϾW email, so you’ll want to be sure to check it regularly.

If you will be taking classes through a program set up by your high school, the class opportunities are customized for your school. High school guidance counselors can share which courses are offered to you.

If taking classes through the college, you can explore available classes and view scheduling information on . Meet with a student success advisor to get assistance in planning classes.

If you will be taking dual credit classes a representative from ºÚÁϳԹϾW will visit your high school to collect your signature to register you for classes.

If you are planning to take College NOW courses or courses only, you will need to register for classes by signing into , calling the Springfield campus (call 217-786-2292), text 217-786-2292, or calling an ºÚÁϳԹϾW Outreach Center in Jacksonville (217-243-6699), Beardstown (217-323-4103), Taylorville (217-786-2754) or Litchfield (217-786-3401).

College Now and Courses Only students: Get information on paying tuition and fees including forms of payment and payment plans. Books (for College Now and courses directly through the college) and supplies are available from the . Visit the bookstore online or in-person.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Forms to withhold or allow specific release of information may be obtained from ºÚÁϳԹϾW Records. Note: This form must be filled out by the student in front of an ºÚÁϳԹϾW employee or staff member.

Once you've completed these steps, you are ready to attend class! If you have an online class, you will log in to .

ºÚÁϳԹϾW partners with Parchment as the provider for managing, processing and delivering  ºÚÁϳԹϾW official transcripts. Students may order their ºÚÁϳԹϾW transcripts at any time. You will be asked to provide:

  • Name at the time of attendance
  • ºÚÁϳԹϾW student ID number or social security number (SSN)  
  • Birthdate

If you do not have an SSN or do not remember your ºÚÁϳԹϾW student ID number, contact ºÚÁϳԹϾW Records, 217-786-4956.