Dual Enrollment

How to Take College Classes While in High School

The Dual Enrollment Program at Elgin Community College allows eligible high school and homeschooled students to take college classes before graduating, giving them a head start on earning college credit. 

Dual Enrollment differs from Dual Credit, in which a student formally earns both high school and college credit through a Dual Credit program. For information about Dual Credit opportunities, contact your high school counselor or ECC's Dual Credit Office.

Course Options

You complete college courses independently, allowing for flexible class selection. Choose any college class you are ready for; appropriate approvals are required.

Eligibility

Eligible students must be:

• Currently enrolled in high school or a homeschooled student.
• Seeking to enroll in college-level courses (100 level or above) and meet all course prerequisites. Students may not enroll in developmental courses (courses below 100 level).

Students not eligible:

• Dual Credit Students: Students who are enrolled only in dual credit courses organized through partnership agreements between school districts and ECC, or students who are dual credit students and also enroll in summer as dual-enroll. For assistance, please contact the ECC Dual Credit Office at dualcredit@elgin.edu or 847-214-7031.
• Students enrolling in performing arts courses, ensembles, or grant-funded programs such as Upward Bound.
• Sixteen (16) and 17-year-old students who are separated from their high school and who are eligible by ICCB regulations to attend ECC full or part-time because they meet the ability to benefit criteria.
• Students under the age of 16 must also receive approval from the appropriate academic dean and the Associate Dean of Student Success (or designee). The Academic Advising department will facilitate these approvals.

For questions on eligibility, contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@elgin.edu or 847-214-7385.

How to Apply for Dual Enrollment at ECC

Are you interested in dual enrollment? Students seeking Dual Enrollment must plan to complete the enrollment process before classes begin. Here’s how to get started.

Review Requirements

• Submission of the Dual Enrollment Form does not guarantee admission.
• Enrollment is determined by a student’s college readiness and acknowledgment of the program.
• Students must complete New Student Orientation (NSO) and meet with an academic advisor before enrolling in courses.
• Students may enroll in up to two courses per fall/spring semester, or one course in summer.
• Courses taken through Dual Enrollment, along with the grades earned, become part of the student’s permanent academic record and will appear on their ECC transcript.
• High schools decide whether ECC courses count toward high school credit.
• Dual Enrollment students are not eligible for financial aid.
• Students are responsible for paying all tuition, fees, and course-related supplies.

Application Deadline

Dual Enrollment documentation is due 30 calendar days prior to the start date of the chosen course(s). Late or incomplete applications will delay your enrollment. Summer and fall course registration begins in April, and spring course registration begins in November.

Steps to Apply for Dual Enrollment

1. Complete and submit the following:
   • Apply to ECC for free at elgin.edu/apply. Be sure to indicate the student is still enrolled in high school. If you are homeschooled, you are considered to be in high school. Include a personal email address not associated with the high school. Allow up to ten business days for your application to be processed.
   • Dual Enrollment Application Form - PDF. Submit to admissions@elgin.edu.
   • High School/Homeschool Transcript. Submit to admissions@elgin.edu.
   • Meet course prerequisites by submitting college readiness documents to the Records Office. For a full list of accepted credit review Test Score Summary.

2. After submitting the documentation listed above, an appointment to review academic history and college readiness with a Recruitment Coordinator is scheduled. An appointment can be scheduled by contacting the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at 847-214-7385 or admissions@elgin.edu. A parent or guardian must be present at this meeting.

3. Once the above steps are completed and approved, the student will be contacted by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment through email regarding the next enrollment steps:
   • Complete online New Student Orientation.
   • Meet with an academic advisor to select classes and learn how to register.
   • Make payment arrangements. Students are responsible for paying all tuition, fees, and course-related supplies. Statements are available online. Payment information can be found at elgin.edu/payment. Students are responsible for registering themselves and making payments by the published payment deadline.

4. Once admitted, Dual Enrollment students wishing to take classes in subsequent semesters must meet with their academic advisor prior to registering to review progress and course selection. Academic success will determine whether a student will be eligible to continue taking classes through the Dual Enrollment Program at ECC.

Questions?

Ready to get started or have questions? Reach out to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@elgin.edu or 847-214-7385 - we're here to help you every step of the way!