5 Things to Know About Dual Enrollment
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My daughter is currently a high school junior, but she already has college credit, thanks to dual enrollment. She just finished her first college class with an A, and I am so proud of her. It definitely pushed her out of her comfort zone, but she handled it really well.
A few years ago, I heard about dual enrollment for the first time. Dual enrollment is when a high school student takes college courses. The class counts for credit toward high school AND college graduation. It can be a great way to knock out some of the college general education requirements while still in high school.
I thought I would share what we learned about the process.
5 Things to Know About Dual Enrollment
1. It Is NOT Easy
Time and time again, I see parents comment in Facebook homeschool groups that taking college classes is easy. Honestly, this is a myth that needs to die.
When people generalize that these classes are easy, they are trivializing all of the students’ hard work. If a student did not do well in a class, they feel bad because they were told college was easy.
Dual enrollment classes are college classes, and the workload reflects that. Dual enrollment students are taking advanced classes. Let’s congratulate them on their hard work and not minimize it.
2. It Is Completely Out of Your Control
As homeschool parents, we are used to being in control. We can choose the curriculum, reading list, and schedule. This isn’t the case when students begin dual enrolling. Even the academic calendar is out of our control at this point.
The course syllabus, reading lists, and schedule are set by the professor, and we have zero input over any of it. The choice is simply whether to take a class or not. That’s it.
I’m not going to lie. You know I like control. For over a decade I have enjoyed creating a personalized curriculum for my kids. Letting go felt really weird.
3. It Will Require Quite a Bit of Time
College classes require time. Students need to budget time for the actual class (and travel time, if they are taking the class in person), study time, time for assignments, and possibly time to attend office hours if they need a little extra help.
I gave my daughter an Erin Condren planner to help her organize her days.
My family typically spends 6 – 7 hours homeschooling high school each day, but dual enrollment was still a step above that. Expect to spend at least the number of credit hours doing college homework. For example, if a class is 3 credit hours, expect to spend 3 – 6 hours on homework each week.
4. The Student Is In Charge
As far as the college is concerned, the student is in charge. This is due to the FERPA law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). The law states that once a student enters college, the parent loses their rights to any educational information. All of those rights transfer to the student. This is the case for college students of any age, even if they are minors.
The student will need to be the one contacting college professors with any questions or concerns. They often won’t respond to parents. The student will also be allowed to add or drop classes without your approval.
This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it is something to be aware of. Students can give parents access to their educational records if they fill out the FERPA form.
5. It Isn’t Right for Every Student
Dual enrollment is essentially the equivalent of advanced classes. We wouldn’t expect every public school student to take advanced courses, so we shouldn’t expect every single homeschooler to dual enroll. Students are not ‘behind’ if they stick with high school-level courses.
One of the perks of homeschooling is that we get to create a customized educational plan for each of our students. We get to see them as individuals.
Common Questions About Dual Enrollment
How much does Dual Enrollment Cost?
The cost of dual enrollment varies by state and college. For example, in North Carolina, high school students, regardless of whether they are homeschooled or in public school, can have tuition waived if they dual enroll at community colleges.
Students are responsible for any extra fees such as books, lab fees, and parking fees. However, just one state away, homeschooled students are not eligible for free tuition while dual enrolling at community colleges, even though their public school peers receive that benefit.
Occasionally, a four-year college will offer dual enrollment options, but these typically are pricier than community colleges.
Dual enrollment is not eligible for financial aid because of federal requirements that financial aid recipients hold a high school diploma.
What are the requirements for dual enrollment?
The requirements for dual enrollment vary by school and by grade level. Most home education students will need to show a certain high school GPA.
Younger high school students (9th and 10th grades) typically have a higher burden of proof required to show that they are ready for college-level work. They will typically need to pass college-administered placement tests.
Older students (11th and 12th grades) generally just need to provide a high school transcript in addition to a few enrollment forms. Transcripts are fairly easy to create! This guide will show you how to create a basic homeschool transcript. I would recommend reading the transcript requirements for your specific college to see if they require anything unique.
Most students who dual enroll begin as high school juniors.
Does dual enrollment affect scholarships?
Generally, no. Dual enrollment is completed while a student is still in high school. Those credits do not affect a student’s status as an incoming freshman. College credits earned after high school graduation do affect scholarship potential.
Are there other ways to earn college credit while in high school?
Yes, homeschool students can earn college credit by passing CLEP tests and/or AP tests.
CLEP tests are subject tests given by the College Board. Students study for them on their own and then take the test at a testing center. Some of the tests are harder than others, so check out this ranking list before deciding which ones to try.
AP tests are also subject tests. They are traditionally taken at the end of AP classes. AP is a trademarked term and can not be used for just any advanced placement class. Students need to find a local school that is willing to let them sit for the AP exam, which can be challenging. If you want your homeschooler to take an AP exam at a specific school, reach out early. The actual tests are administered in May, but most schools order the tests in the fall.
Before spending any time preparing for CLEP or AP tests, do a few minutes of research to make sure it is worth your student’s time. Many 4-year colleges publish which CLEP and AP tests they will count for college credit. Some colleges accept quite a few of these test scores, and others don’t accept any. Just Google the school name + CLEP or AP.
This can be a quick and affordable way to work toward a college education.
I am considering dual enrollment. Where do I start?
Start by poking around your local community college’s website. Look to see what they require for enrollment. Pay attention to any important dates. Reach out to the admissions office if you have any questions.
The book Homeschooling for College Credit is a great resource to help you along the way.
Last update on 2026-08-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Isn’t a high school diploma necessary for college enrollment?
A high school diploma is required for students to attend college after they graduate from high school. While students are still enrolled in high school, even a homeschool high school, they just need to supply a homeschool transcript.
Pros of Dual Enrollment
1. Dual enrollment allows the student to slowly adjust to the rigors of college coursework. Students can take anywhere from a single course to a full course load. They do not need to jump right into a full college schedule right away. They are getting a head start on their college degree.
2. It builds confidence. Students realize that they are capable of higher-level courses as they reach their goals.
3. The student is still living at home, so parents can offer guidance about time management and study habits.
4. It can save quite a bit of money in the long term.
5. Dual enrollment grades can ‘validate’ the other grades on a homeschool transcript. Let me make it clear that a homeschool diploma and transcript are legally valid and do not need to be validated. However, I felt like having a great dual enrollment grade on the transcript sort of proved that the other A’s on my daughter’s transcript were accurate.
Related: How to Create an Official Homeschool Transcript
6. Dual enrollment saves time, and possibly money, because students are earning high school credit and college credit through the same classes.
Cons of Dual Enrollment
1. Dual-enrolled students are often the youngest in the class. This can be a bit intimidating, especially if the student needs to be on the college campus frequently.
2. The course material is intended for adults. The college-level courses may include reading material or discussions that you do not feel are appropriate for your student.
3. There is extra pressure to get good grades. The grades will be a part of your student’s permanent college transcript forever.
4. Homeschool students do not have a high school counselor to walk them through the process. They, with the help of their parents, need to navigate it just through research.
How I Prepared My Daughter for Dual Enrollment
It is tough to say what exactly prepared my daughter for dual enrollment. I have thought about it a good bit because I want my son to also take a few dual enrollment classes in his last two years of high school. I’m sure there are many different paths to dual enrollment, but I think these things really helped.
Teach to mastery
I have always taught until a subject or concept is mastered, no matter how long that takes. Lessons were never about just getting through a section or checking off a box. I think this helped prepare my daughter to stick with a topic until she truly understood the material, even if it means extra study time.
Put teens in charge of their schedule
Once my kids hit middle school, I put them in control of their schedule. Every Sunday night, I give them a list of all of their assignments, appointments, and commitments for the next week. They are responsible for creating a plan to get everything finished by Friday afternoon.
This helped my daughter learn to manage her time. She had managed her own schedule long enough to know that sometimes things outside of our control pop up at the last minute. This helped her not leave things until the last minute. She always turned in her assignments early just so she had a time buffer.
Use textbooks
A textbook isn’t required for every subject, but students should be familiar with how to use a textbook. They need to know how to find information quickly.
As an added bonus, try to use an online textbook too. It is a little different than a traditional textbook, but they are being used more and more often. Openstax.org offers free digital textbooks that can be used as a curriculum spine or supplement.
Require plenty of reading and writing
College assignments include quite a bit of reading and writing, so teens will have an easier time if they are accustomed to this type of work. Whenever possible, read a few primary sources.
I hope this helps answer any questions about dual enrollment.
Keep reading . . .
- How to Create a Free Official Homeschool Transcript
- Important Things to Know Before College
- Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Homeschool Graduation Ceremony and Party
- Complete High School Language Arts Curriculum
- Interesting Career Activities for High School Students
- Homeschooling High School Resources, Curriculum, and Tips
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