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.