Dual Enrollment Newsletter: How to Communicate College Course Opportunities to High School Families

Dual enrollment gives motivated high school students access to college-level coursework and the chance to arrive at college with credits already earned. The counselor newsletter is the most direct way to explain what the program offers, who qualifies, and what families need to consider before a student commits to a college course while still in high school.

What dual enrollment is and how it works

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take courses at a partnering college or community college and earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Depending on the program, courses may be taught on the high school campus by a college-credentialed instructor, at the college campus with traditional undergraduate students, or online. The student receives a grade on a college transcript, not just a high school grade.

This distinction matters for how colleges evaluate the credit. Unlike AP scores, dual enrollment grades create a permanent college academic record. A student who earns a C in a dual enrollment course has that grade on file with that institution indefinitely, regardless of where they ultimately enroll for college.

Who qualifies and how to apply

Include the specific eligibility criteria for your school's partner program in the newsletter. Typical requirements include a minimum GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, and a counselor or parent permission form. Some programs require a college placement test or an ACT/SAT score above a threshold. Describing the eligibility criteria clearly prevents families from assuming that any student can enroll and discovering the requirements only after a student has expressed interest.

Include enrollment deadlines. Dual enrollment registration windows are often earlier than students expect, and late applications are typically not accepted.

Understanding the credit transfer question

The most common misunderstanding about dual enrollment is the assumption that credits will transfer to any college the student eventually attends. Credit transfer is determined by the receiving institution, not the sending one. A course taken at the local community college may transfer cleanly to the state flagship university but not to a private university in another state.

The newsletter should advise students who already have a specific college in mind to check that college's transfer credit policy before registering. Transferring general education requirements like composition or math is usually straightforward. Transferring elective credits or major-specific credits is more variable.

Cost and financial considerations

Dual enrollment tuition is often subsidized or waived entirely for eligible high school students, particularly at community colleges through state-funded programs. Some programs charge reduced tuition, and others require families to pay full college tuition rates. The newsletter should state clearly what the cost structure is for the school's specific program and whether financial assistance is available.

How dual enrollment fits into a four-year plan

Dual enrollment works best when it is intentional rather than opportunistic. A student who takes dual enrollment English composition because it fits in their schedule and satisfies a required general education credit at most colleges they are considering is making a strategic choice. A student who takes a specialized elective because it sounds interesting may end up with a credit that transfers nowhere useful.

The newsletter should encourage students to discuss their course selection with their counselor before registering. A counselor who knows a student's tentative college list can help them identify which dual enrollment options are most likely to save actual time and money in college.