Early College programs (sometimes referred to as dual or concurrent enrollment programs) enable high school students to earn college credit while still in high school. Early College students realize significant advantages including reduced tuition costs, reduced time to complete higher education requirements, and increased confidence in the high school to college transition. College credits earned through Early College programs may be used toward the completion of a certificate or degree at NCC or may be transferred to other colleges and universities throughout the country. (Please note that the determination of transfer credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution.)
Early College students are non-matriculated students and are therefore ineligible for federal student financial aid. However, in addition to reduced tuition rates, the State of NH traditionally funds a scholarship program that covers the cost of tuition for up to two courses per academic year taken through the Community College System of NH (CCSNH) Early College programs. More information – including eligibility requirements and current funding levels – can be obtained from the Dual Enrollment Coordinator.
Please note that high school Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 plans do not automatically apply to college coursework nor transfer to college. Early College students with a disability who need classroom accommodations to access the college curriculum must request a Reasonable Accommodation Plan (RAP) from NCC’s Accessibility Services Office.
NCC offers three Early College programs as described below. Contact the Dual Enrollment Coordinator at ecncc@ccsnh.edu for more information.
Early College at Your High School (formerly Running Start)
The Early College at Your High School program enables high school students to enroll in NCC courses taught at their high school by their high school teachers during the normal high school day. Students must attend a participating NH high school, and the course and instructor must have received prior approval from NCC.
Early College at Your High School students earn college credit through NCC and high school credit through their high school. This program is open to high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores in junior/senior-level courses. Freshmen must receive NCC department chair approval to enroll in college credit. Tuition for Early College at Your High School courses is $150. CCSNH offers a need-based scholarship for up to half of the tuition cost. Students should ask their high school Early College at Your High School teacher about this scholarship.
Early College on a College Campus (formerly Early College)
The Early College on a College Campus program enables high school students to take college courses with NCC faculty, just like any other NCC student. Courses are offered online and on NCC’s campus. Early College students are welcomed into the NCC community and the student body as a whole, offering high school students a full and authentic college experience.
To be eligible for Early College on a College Campus, high school students must (a) be a resident of New Hampshire or live within a 50-mile radius of NCC, (b) be enrolled in an approved high school or an approved home school program, (c) be a high school sophomore, junior, or senior, or a home school student age 15 or older, and (d) have not earned a high school diploma prior to course start date. Although Early College on a College Campus students may be working towards an NCC certificate or degree, they may not graduate NCC prior to graduating high school.
Early College on a College Campus students can enroll in most courses for which they meet the placement criteria and pre-/co-requisite requirements. Certain courses and programs are not accessible to Early College on a College Campus students, such as two-week turbo courses; courses marked capstone, internship, practicum, co-op, or senior project; and courses with the following subject codes: AUTO, AVTN, CRTN, HATN, and NURS. Enrollment is on a space available basis, and there may be times that NCC must remove an Early College on a College Campus student from a course based on the number of seats needed for matriculated students.
Early College on a College Campus students earn college credit through NCC and must request high school credit through their high school guidance department. Early College on a College Campus students pay 50 percent of the cost of the NCC tuition with no additional fees. Early College on a College Campus students are responsible for purchasing their books and materials.
Early College Online (formerly eStart)
NCC participates in Early College Online, a program administered by CCSNH. This program enables high school students to take community college courses that are 100% online and asynchronous. Students earn college credit through the CCSNH college and high school credit through the Virtual learning Academy Charter School (VLACS). Tuition for Early College Online courses is $150. CCSNH offers a need-based scholarship for up to half of the tuition cost. Early College Online students are responsible for purchasing their books and materials.
For more information about this program, including eligibility requirements and registration, please visit the CCSNH Early College Online website: https://www.ccsnh.edu/colleges-and-programs/programs-for-high-school-students-to-earn-college-credit/estart/.