facebook icon
Skip to content
Spacer
Spacer RCC Early College Program students

RCC Early College for High School Students

Earn College Credit While in High School

If you choose to earn college credits while in high school or being home schooled, it is important to select those credits with a purpose. We recommend earning credits that are relevant to your career and college goals, and thus they are more transferable or can count towards your selected degree program after high school.

Why does it matter what college credits you earn in high school? While the credits may be free to you, a high school student, or at a discounted rate, they might have an impact on your future.

Did you know:

Your grade is part of your official college transcript. If you don't pass a class, that GPA and course continues with you after high school on your college transcript. This may impact your ability to get financial aid, scholarships, or register for classes. Make sure you take your college classes seriously and talk with your instructors when you need assistance or are concerned about your classes.

Eligible students can receive free money for college tuition after high school through the Oregon Promise Grant. This includes paying up to 90 credits attempted. As you earn college credits in high school, there will be less credits you’ll be eligible to earn through Oregon Promise after graduation. Tip: Select classes that will apply toward your degree or certificate, and make sure you pass and complete the class.

Benefits of Early College

  • Gets You Ahead: By taking dual credit college classes while in high school, students get a head start on their RCC certificate or degree. The college credit you earn while in high school can shorten the time it takes to earn a college certificate or degree after high school. Students may be able to get the first year or so of college classes completed by the time they graduate high school.
  • Saves Money: Your family can save up to $15,000 on tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.
  • Provides Future Opportunities: The college credits you earn now will mean time savings in the future, affording you time for other opportunities, such as adding a dual major or minor in your college plan, getting a jump start on further education or entering the workforce by being workforce ready, and obtaining your degree (built off of program certificates).
  • Helps Students Achieve Their Goals: Gives students the opportunity to work towards or possibly complete a RCC certificate, an Associate's Degree, the Oregon Transfer Module, the AAOT or other RCC academic plan while in high school by combining free College Now classes with discounted traditional RCC Early College classes at an RCC campus.
  • Gives You College Knowledge: You will learn about college classes, content, processes and rigor in the supportive, familiar environment of your high school.
  • Career Related Learning Credit Options: You may be able to apply a RCC course to meet the Senior Capstone requirement for your high school. Please arrange a plan with your high school counselor/liaison during the fall of your junior or senior year to see if this option is available at your high school. Typically, the credit total for the capstone course is 4.0 RCC credits = 1.0 HS credits.