CBC Dual Credit Like Free Tuition

High school students can earn college credits tuition free.

The Coastal Bend College dual credit program enables high school students to earn college credit while completing their high school requirements. Dual credit courses fulfill both college and high school requirements.

Dual credits earn students credit that may be applied toward a college degree or certificate. Bee County residents can take classes at Coastal Bend College at no cost while still in high school. In most cases, students will take courses at the college or online.

Benefits of the dual credit program include learning how to study for college, demonstrating the ability to do college-level work, gaining confidence needed to succeed in college and exploring possible majors.

Students can take English, history, biology, economics, government, kinesiology and sociology. Art, computer science, business and technical courses are also available. Students can enroll now for Spring 2007. Online registration and enrollment continues through Jan. 12.

Academic courses meet general education requirements in most degree plans at Texas colleges and universities. Workforce Education courses are credited toward associate’s degrees in applied sciences.

Students must be eligible to take dual credit courses. The basic criteria follows:

• Student must be in the eleventh or twelfth grade.
  
• Student must pass the TAKS section of the subject needed for enrollment.
  
• Student must achieve minimum prerequisite scores on THEA, ACCUPLACER, ACT, SAT, ASSET or TAKS exams.
  
• Student must supply the college with an official high school transcript.
  
• Student must receive official permission from a high school counselor and principal in order to register a course.
  
• A course articulation agreement between the college and the student's school must be on file for each course enrolled.
  
• Student must apply and be accepted for admission into the college.
  
• Course fees must be paid each semester.
  
• Course syllabus will be that of the college.
  
• Textbooks used must be college level and approved by the college.
  
• No financial aid, other than the installment payment plan, is available for high school students.
  

For more information on dual credit, contact Alma C. Adamez, dual credit coordinator at 354-2280 or by e-mail at adamez@coastalbend.edu.