Is FAFSA affected by dual enrollment? Need high school freshman planning advice

Dual enrollment is fantastic for FAFSA purposes! The credits your child earns while in high school through dual enrollment don't count as prior financial aid used, so they won't impact their future FAFSA eligibility at all. In fact, it can be a huge money-saver because: 1. Most school districts cover the tuition costs (though you might pay for books/fees) 2. Your student enters college with credits already completed 3. They might be able to graduate early or take fewer semesters = less total college cost As for what classes to take, I recommend starting with general education requirements like English Composition, Intro Psychology, basic math, or public speaking. These transfer to almost any college and fulfill requirements regardless of major. Just double-check with potential colleges your son might attend to ensure the credits will transfer!

my daughter did dual enrollment and it was a COMPLETE DISASTER for financial aid!!! the community college credits didn't transfer to her university and her SAI score was higher because they counted those classes as "previous college attendance" even though she was in high school!!!! be VERY careful and check the exact policies of the specific colleges your looking at!!!!

My son started dual enrollment in 10th grade too. For class recommendations, start with something your student is already strong in. My son took College Algebra because math was his best subject, which gave him confidence in the college environment before trying harder classes. For 9th graders now, I'd also recommend a computer science course if available - those credits are valuable for almost any major nowadays.

Our district has limited seats for dual enrollment and it's super competitive to get in. You should check immediately if there's an application process or minimum GPA requirement at your high school. Some schools prioritize juniors and seniors, so a 9th grader planning for 10th grade might need exceptional grades or a compelling reason. Every district handles this differently.

One thing nobody mentioned - make sure your kid is actually ready for college courses! My nephew did dual enrollment because his friends were doing it and ended up with a D that's now permanently on his college transcript. College courses move FAST compared to high school, and professors don't chase students for missing work like high school teachers do.

I work in college admissions, and I have a slightly different take: dual enrollment is excellent, but be strategic! Don't just take random classes. Consider these factors: 1. Check if your state has a guaranteed transfer program between community colleges and state universities 2. For FAFSA purposes, completed dual enrollment credits might help your student graduate early, which means fewer semesters of financial aid needed 3. Some selective colleges prefer AP classes over dual enrollment (though this is changing) 4. Take classes that fulfill multiple requirements (e.g., a statistics course might count as both math and a major prerequisite) The financial aspect varies by state and district, but generally, dual enrollment is MUCH cheaper than taking the same courses after high school graduation.

Has anyone successfully appealed to FAFSA when dual enrollment credits weren't properly categorized? I'm having trouble getting through to a human at Federal Student Aid to explain our situation with my daughter's dual enrollment courses being incorrectly counted against her lifetime eligibility limit.

check if ur state has dual enrollment scholarships too!!! my nephew got something called "early college" scholarship that paid 100% of his dual enrollment and even covered books! some states REALLY want kids to do this so they make it free but u have to apply!!

One more thing that's important for financial planning: understand the difference between dual enrollment and Early College High School programs. They sound similar but work differently: - Dual enrollment: Taking college courses while still primarily based at your regular high school - Early College: A specialized high school program where students earn an associate's degree alongside their high school diploma The FAFSA implications are the same (neither affects your future eligibility), but the structure, costs, and commitment level differ significantly. Some areas offer both options, so knowing the difference helps with planning.

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter, I wanted to add a few practical tips for getting started: 1. **Contact your school's dual enrollment coordinator ASAP** - they usually have specific deadlines and requirements that aren't well-publicized 2. **Ask about placement tests** - many programs require ACCUPLACER or similar tests to determine if your student is ready for college-level work 3. **Consider the commute factor** - some dual enrollment happens on the college campus, which means transportation logistics you'll need to figure out 4. **Start with ONE class** - even if your district allows more, it's better to see how your student handles the workload before adding more The good news is that most guidance counselors are really helpful once you express interest. They want students to succeed in these programs! Also, don't worry too much about the FAFSA impact - as others have said, dual enrollment is generally beneficial for your future financial aid situation, not harmful. Best of luck with your planning! Starting early like you're doing gives you so many more options.

This is such valuable information! I'm also a parent of a 9th grader and had been wondering about dual enrollment. One question I haven't seen addressed - do students need to maintain a certain GPA once they're in dual enrollment to continue, or is it just the initial requirement to get in? Also, if a student takes dual enrollment courses and then decides to change their intended major in college, are those credits still useful, or could they end up being "wasted" credits that don't count toward their new degree path?

I'm a current high school senior who did dual enrollment starting in 10th grade, and I wanted to share the student perspective! Here are some things I wish my parents had known when we started: **From the student side:** - The college environment can be intimidating at first, but most community college professors are really understanding when they know you're a high school student - Time management becomes CRUCIAL - you're balancing high school homework, extracurriculars, AND college coursework - Study groups with adult students can actually be really helpful - they often have better study strategies than high school peers **Financial reality check:** - Even when tuition is covered, there are often extra costs like lab fees, online access codes, and parking passes that add up - Some dual enrollment programs require you to buy a college ID card and pay student activity fees - If you need tutoring, college tutoring centers are usually free for enrolled students **FAFSA-wise:** My dual enrollment credits actually helped me qualify for more merit scholarships at my chosen university because I had a higher college GPA than just my high school GPA. Plus, I'll graduate a full year early, saving my family thousands in tuition and living expenses. The key is being realistic about your child's maturity level and academic preparedness. I was ready, but I've seen friends struggle because they weren't quite there yet. Starting with just one class in a subject they're already strong in is definitely the way to go!

As a financial aid advisor, I wanted to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in this thread about FAFSA and dual enrollment. Let me set the record straight: **FAFSA Impact: POSITIVE, not negative** - Dual enrollment credits earned while in high school do NOT count against your lifetime eligibility limits - They do NOT negatively affect your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation - In fact, graduating early due to dual enrollment credits can REDUCE your total borrowing needs **Key things to verify with your school district:** 1. **Funding source** - If the district pays, it's usually through state funding programs, not federal Title IV aid (which is what FAFSA tracks) 2. **Grade reporting** - Make sure you understand how grades will appear on transcripts 3. **Transfer agreements** - Many states have guaranteed transfer compacts between community colleges and public universities **Pro tip for parents:** Request a meeting with both your high school counselor AND the college's dual enrollment coordinator. They can walk you through exactly how your state handles the financial and academic aspects. Each state has different rules, so generic advice online might not apply to your specific situation. The bottom line: dual enrollment is typically a financially smart move that enhances rather than hurts future financial aid prospects. Just make sure your student is academically and emotionally ready for the challenge!

As someone who went through dual enrollment with both of my kids, I wanted to share a timeline that worked well for us. Since you're starting this conversation in 9th grade, you have great timing! **9th grade (now):** Meet with guidance counselor to understand your district's specific requirements and application deadlines. Some districts require you to apply by spring of 9th grade for 10th grade dual enrollment. **Summer before 10th grade:** If placement tests are required, schedule them early. Many students need to take ACCUPLACER or similar assessments, and you want time for retakes if needed. **10th grade start:** Begin with ONE course in your student's strongest subject area. This gives them time to adjust to college expectations without overwhelming their schedule. One thing I learned the hard way - check if your district has partnerships with specific colleges. Our district had agreements with three local community colleges, but credits from one transferred much better to our state universities than the others. We didn't research this upfront and had to be more strategic with course selection later. Also, don't underestimate the social aspect. My younger son thrived in the college environment, but my older daughter felt isolated being the youngest student in her classes. It really depends on the individual student's personality and maturity level. The financial benefits have been huge for our family - both kids will graduate college early, saving us significant money in tuition and living expenses!

Wow, there's so much great information in this thread! As another parent just starting to explore dual enrollment options, I wanted to add one thing I discovered during my research - some colleges have specific "dual enrollment student" orientations or support programs that can really help with that transition from high school to college coursework. I called a few local community colleges directly to ask about their dual enrollment programs, and two of them mentioned they have special orientation sessions just for high school students and their parents. They cover things like how to navigate the college's online learning system, what to expect from college-level writing assignments, and how to communicate with professors (apparently it's very different from emailing high school teachers!). One college even has a "dual enrollment success coordinator" who checks in with high school students a few weeks into the semester to see how they're adjusting. This kind of support structure might be something worth asking about when you're researching programs - especially for students who might be on the fence about whether they're ready for the college environment. It sounds like the key is really doing your homework upfront to understand all the options and support systems available in your specific area. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this has been incredibly informative for those of us just getting started!

This thread has been incredibly informative! As a parent of a high school freshman myself, I'm so glad I found this discussion early in the planning process. I wanted to add one consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet - the impact on high school graduation requirements. In our district, students doing dual enrollment still need to ensure they're meeting all high school graduation requirements alongside their college courses. Our counselor mentioned that some students get so focused on earning college credits that they accidentally miss a required high school course like a specific science or social studies credit. She recommended creating a four-year plan that maps out both high school requirements AND potential dual enrollment courses to make sure everything aligns properly. This is especially important if your student is considering graduating early from high school - you want to make sure they've completed all the necessary requirements for their high school diploma while also maximizing the value of their college credits. Has anyone else run into issues with balancing high school graduation requirements against dual enrollment planning? I'm wondering if this varies significantly by state or if it's a common concern most districts address proactively.

Thank you all for this incredibly comprehensive discussion! As a parent new to dual enrollment planning, I've learned so much from reading everyone's experiences and insights. It's clear that while dual enrollment can be fantastic for both financial aid and academic preparation, success really depends on careful planning and making sure your student is ready for the challenge. From what I'm gathering, the key steps seem to be: 1. Meet with both high school and college counselors to understand our specific district's program 2. Research which colleges have the best transfer agreements 3. Start with one course in a subject where my son is already strong 4. Create a four-year plan that balances high school graduation requirements with college credit goals 5. Look into state funding programs and any available scholarships I'm feeling much more confident about moving forward with this exploration now that I understand the FAFSA implications are actually positive rather than negative. The timeline suggestions and practical tips about extra costs, study habits, and support programs have been invaluable. Has anyone found it helpful to visit the actual college campuses where dual enrollment classes are held before making a final decision? I'm wondering if seeing the environment firsthand might help us gauge whether my son would be comfortable in that setting.

As a newcomer to this community and parent of a 9th grader myself, this entire discussion has been absolutely eye-opening! I had heard the term "dual enrollment" mentioned at our school's parent night but honestly had no idea what it entailed or how it might affect financial aid down the road. Reading through all these experiences - both positive cautionary tales - has given me such a clearer picture of what to expect. I'm particularly grateful for the professional insight from the financial aid advisor clarifying that dual enrollment actually HELPS with FAFSA rather than hurting it. That was my biggest concern going into this research. The practical tips about starting with one class, checking transfer agreements, and visiting campuses are exactly what I needed to hear. I'm also glad multiple people mentioned the importance of ensuring your student is emotionally and academically ready - it sounds like dual enrollment can be amazing for the right student at the right time, but it's definitely not something to rush into without careful consideration. I'm planning to schedule meetings with our guidance counselor and local community college coordinators after reading all this advice. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world insight from parents who've actually been through the process is invaluable for those of us just starting to navigate these decisions!

As a parent who just completed the dual enrollment journey with my daughter (she's now a college sophomore), I wanted to add some long-term perspective to this fantastic discussion! The financial benefits have been even better than we anticipated. Not only did my daughter graduate college a semester early (saving us thousands), but the dual enrollment experience actually made her a stronger scholarship candidate. Several of her scholarship applications asked about "college-level academic experience," and her dual enrollment transcript demonstrated she could handle rigorous coursework. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: keep detailed records of ALL dual enrollment courses, syllabi, and textbooks used. When she transferred to her four-year university, having this documentation helped with credit evaluations and even allowed her to petition for credit in cases where the initial transfer evaluation was incomplete. Also, don't overlook the networking aspect! My daughter connected with a dual enrollment professor who later wrote one of her strongest college recommendation letters. These relationships can be incredibly valuable beyond just the academic credits. For parents just starting this journey - trust your instincts about your child's readiness, but don't be afraid to try if they seem prepared. The academic confidence my daughter gained from succeeding in college courses while still in high school was invaluable for her transition to university life. She felt like she already "belonged" in college classrooms when she started as a freshman.

As a newcomer to this community and parent of a high school freshman, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I stumbled upon this thread while researching dual enrollment options and have learned more in the past hour than from all the generic websites I've been reading. The clarification about FAFSA benefits rather than penalties was huge for me - like many parents, I was worried about accidentally hurting my daughter's future financial aid eligibility. It's such a relief to know from the financial aid professional that dual enrollment actually helps rather than hurts! I'm particularly grateful for all the practical advice about starting with one class, visiting campuses, and keeping detailed records. The timeline suggestions and warnings about making sure students are truly ready for college-level work are exactly what I needed to hear. My daughter is academically strong but I want to make sure she's emotionally prepared too. The point about college professors having different expectations than high school teachers is something we'll definitely need to discuss. I'm planning to schedule meetings with our guidance counselor next week to get specifics about our district's program. This thread has given me such a better foundation of questions to ask. Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - this kind of insight from parents who've actually been through the process is invaluable!