Cover Tuition Costs & Earn College Credit in High School with Concurrent Enrollment Published April 3, 2023

This article originally appeared in The Oklahoman written by Cemile Kavountzi. 

Ambitious high schoolers can get a head start on their degree even before they graduate. Photo by Ken Beachler, RSC Photographer 

If you’re a high school junior or senior planning for college, you’re probably thinking about ways to budget and get ahead. Going into your freshman year of college with a few credits already on your transcript is a great way to save money and earn your degree faster, but you may have some questions about how to do it. 

For juniors and seniors looking to jump-start their college education, Rose State College offers concurrent enrollment classes for high school students. These dual enrollment courses count toward both high school and college requirements. In other words, the same class will appear on your college transcript and your high school report card, so you’re closer to earning your degree before you even set foot on a college campus! 

Here are some reasons to consider enrolling in concurrent classes offered by Rose State: 

Save money on college before you even start 

On the money side, concurrent enrollment classes deliver bang for your buck because they fill your high school requirements and go on your college transcript. It’s not exactly a BOGO deal, but it’s pretty close when you think about it.  

With concurrent classes, college can become a bit less daunting. Photo by Ken Beachler, RSC Photographer

In terms of the bottom line, eligible juniors can take up to nine concurrent hours at Rose State and are entitled to a tuition waiver equal to the resident tuition for nine hours. When you’re a senior, you can double that: Enroll in up to 18 hours and you’ll receive a tuition waiver equal to the resident tuition for 18 hours. However, it’s important to note that eligible concurrent students are still responsible for fees and books. 

Rose State goes the extra mile to make their program as accessible as possible for eligible students. It’s also one of the few colleges with a dedicated team specifically for concurrent students. If you have any questions about enrolling or making the most of the opportunity, the Office of Academic Outreach is there to help. 

Get a head-start on your degree 

Academically, taking concurrent classes can provide an edge when you’re applying to colleges or scholarship programs. Then, once you’ve committed to a college, the credits from your concurrent classes go toward your degree. You can easily knock out a few college requirements in advance which will save you time in the long run. 

In essence, earning college credits in high school buys you time in a few ways. On the one hand, if you know exactly what you want to study, it puts you on the fast track. On the other hand, if you don’t, it frees up space in your course load to explore different subjects and take your time deciding. 

Concurrent classes can be a big help for students who are still exploring their options. Photo by Ken Beachler, RSC Photographer 

Consider a ‘more real’ college experience 

Another option you may know about are advanced placement (AP) courses. While both AP courses and concurrent enrollment classes can earn you college credits, there are a few key differences in how they work and what the experience is like. 

An AP course is a year-long class designed for high school students taught at your high school. It all leads up to one big test at the end of the year and how you do on that exam will determine the credits you earn. There’s a lot riding on that one test day. 

In contrast, Rose State offers concurrent courses on their campus, on high school campuses, online and through interactive television depending on the class. Concurrent courses also move at the pace of a college semester. 

Depending on what you’re studying you may have a few assignments and tests over the semester. On the flip side though, the coursework may be more rigorous and challenging (in a good way) than an AP course. Many students find it’s an exciting way to prepare for a real college experience. 

Attend an info session 

In a nutshell, earning college credits has clear academic and financial benefits like reducing tuition costs and getting an edge for college applications. Taking concurrent classes with Rose State also gives you a taste of what college is actually going to be like. 

To get the lowdown on concurrent enrollment or get right into enrolling, Rose State is hosting an information night about their program on Tuesday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m., in the Learning Resources Center, 2^nd floor. 

The event is open to all rising high school junior and seniors and their families. Attendees can meet with admissions staff, register, and bring in transcripts and paperwork for evaluation. 

To learn more about concurrent enrollment classes at Rose State College, click here.