Your Student’s Success Starts Here

Entering the workforce after graduation or going from high school to college is exciting for students, but getting started can feel overwhelming. Austin Community College’s High School Programs can help them take the first step by gaining college credits and confidence before they graduate.

Choosing ACC’s High School Programs helps your student:

Start at the best college for university transfer, with classes that apply seamlessly to Texas’s top schools.
Gain meaningful college experience and a better idea of how to plan for their future.
Work with Austin’s top employers in Central Texas’s leading career training programs.
Feel confident in their journey after high school through student support and financial aid services

Costs and Savings

ACC’s dual credit and career programs eliminate the biggest financial barrier for students and parents by waiving tuition and fees for eligible courses up to 60 credit hours . These costs are waived for students residing within ACC’s Service Area and those showing financial need, allowing students to earn core curriculum credit or workforce training for free. Learn more about Dual Credit’s costs and savings.

Dual credit students will have access to all academic and career resources as an ACC student. After high school graduation, they will then have the opportunity to transfer credits to their college/university of choice or continue their degree at ACC, taking affordable and excellent courses while exploring numerous areas of studies.

Planning for the Future

Dual credit helps you and your student be better prepared for college and future planning. Real college courses will help acclimate them to the differences between high school and college, with the support and resources to succeed.

Online/In-Person Tutoring and Academic Support > View All Student Support Servic es
Program and Career Pathfinding for Students > Get Started with Career Services
Dual Credit Application Resources > View and Download Dual Credit Forms

Questions Parents Ask

You can view the full list of Frequently Asked Questions for Parents here.

Who is eligible for Dual Credit?

Dual Credit classes are available to students who:

Are in grades 9-12.
Attend a partnering public, private, or charter school OR are home schooled and able to provide a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Have college ready test scores (TSI, SAT/ACT, STARR, PSAT).
Contact your school counselor or ACC’s College and High School Relations Office to find out if your school offers Dual Credit classes.

Can my child handle it?

Dual credit is challenging, requiring self-motivation and support to succeed. However, with student support resources from ACC and planning on the part of your student, dual credit is more than manageable. Make sure your student understands the differences between high school and college curriculum. and factor in their other responsibilities before making a decision.

How do I convince my student to take Dual Credit classes?

To get the most out of dual credit, it is important that your student understands how dual credit will positively impact them now and in the future. Self-motivation is the key to succeeding, so find out what they want to get out of college after high school, and focus on how dual credit will help them get there.

Helping Your High School Student with Dual Credit

Support from a parent is your teenager’s most important resource. It doesn’t matter whether or not you went to college – by encouraging your children and assuring them that college is important and that they can succeed, you can help them far more than anyone else.

1. Prepare them for what to expect

College gives students a tremendous amount of freedom compared to normal high school classes.

No one is monitoring their progress on a daily basis.
No one knows whether they’re doing the assignments.

Students should be prepared to do most of their learning on their own.

Self-motivation and discipline are important
The general rule is: For every one hour spent in class, college students should spend two hours out of class reading, studying, and completing assignments.

2. Let them do it on their own

Dual Credit students are treated the same as any other Austin Community College student.

There are no parent conferences
Communication regarding ACC students is restricted due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
College is the time for parents to make the transition from being the primary advocate to becoming a supporter.
Help your teenagers learn by instilling the message that their academic success depends on their taking responsibility for their own education and behavior.

3. Discover all that ACC has to offer

Support systems are available at Austin Community College, such as learning labs, free tutoring, career planning, transfer services, and computer access, but students must seek out the services, ask for the help, and follow through. You can make sure your teenager finds out about all the resources available through Student Services.

High School Programs Student Handbook

Most advising resources for High School Program students are in the student handbook:

Email us to request copies of the handbook in additional languages.

Parents