Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment program offered at Traverse City Area Public Schools enables students at TCAPS’ three high schools to enroll in classes offered by Northwestern Michigan College and earn college credit while still in high school.

Dual Enrollment Qualifications

Effective April 1, 1996, Public Act 160 created the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act, commonly referred to as dual enrollment. This law directs school districts to assist students in paying tuition and fees for courses at Michigan public or private colleges or universities, if all of the following conditions are met:

  1. Students are in grade 11 or grade 12.
     
  2. Students can qualify for dual enrollment by taking one of the following assessments: PSAT, ACTPLAN, ACT, or MME. External LinkView qualifying assessment scores for dual enrollment. Additionally, according to P.A. 160, eligible students may take courses for which there are no endorsements, such as computer science, foreign language, history, political science, or psychology, as long as they have taken all sections of the MME, ACTPLAN, ACE or College Board PSAT. State endorsement is not required in any specific area for this participation.
     
  3. Note: NMC only accepts the ACT, SAT qualifying scores or a minimum of a 3.3 GPA for three semesters in high school. They do not accept PSAT, PLAN or MME scores.
     
  4. Students must be enrolled in both the school district and postsecondary institution during the local school district’s regular academic year and must be enrolled in at least one high school class.
     
  5. The district must not offer the college courses. An exception to this could occur if the local board of education determines that a scheduling conflict exists, which is beyond the student’s control.
     
  6. The college courses cannot be a hobby, craft, or recreation course, or in the subject areas of physical education, theology, divinity, or religious education.
     
  7. School districts are required to pay the lesser of:
    • The actual charge for tuition, mandatory course fees, materials fees, and registration fees; or
    • That state portion of the students’ foundation allowance, adjusted to the proportion of the school year they attend the postsecondary institution.

If you believe you are eligible for dual enrollment, qualify for tuition and fee support, and wish to participate, contact your school counselor or principal.

Additional learning opportunities for completing your high school graduation requirements are described in TCAPS’ high school course selection guides. Offerings include online courses, career and technical education courses, and other electives.

Students at Central High School, Traverse City High School, and West Senior High School can enroll in courses offered through Northwestern Michigan College and earn college credit while still in high school.  To participate, students must qualify for admission to External Link Northwestern Michigan College.

Note: NMC only accepts the ACT, SAT qualifying scores or a minimum of a 3.3 GPA for three semesters in high school. They do not accept PSAT, PLAN or MME scores.