What to Know Before You Get Started

High school students can earn college credit by taking Austin Community College classes at their high schools, at any ACC campus, or at any other location where offered. In addition to college credit, you may earn credit toward your high school graduation requirements by completing dual credit courses. Austin Community College courses are free to Early College Start students who live within the Austin, Leander, Manor, and Del Valle school districts, and those portions of the Pflugerville, Round Rock, Eanes school districts within the Austin City Limits. Learn in a new environment, save money, and get a head start on college!

Who can enroll in Early College Start?

The Early College Start program is open to high school juniors and seniors residing in the ACC service area. You are eligible after you have successfully completed your sophomore year in a public school, private school, charter school, or home school. You also complete an ACC admissions assessment or submit acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, or TAKS tests. Eligibility and Costs

When do I need to register?

You can begin the Early College Start co-enrollment process during your sophomore school year. Students are advised to complete Austin Community College’s co-enrollment process before course registration begins. To be ready to register for courses as soon as you are eligible, talk to your counselor before the end of the school year. Registration for summer classes begins in April. Registration for fall classes begins in July. ACC Calendar

What classes can I take?

You can take any college-level credit course Austin Community College offers as long as you meet any college course prerequisites or skill assessments required for the course. ACC Courses

Sounds like a good deal to me. What else do I need?

You will need permission from a parent/guardian and your high school counselor or principal.

You must pass the appropriate sections on the ACC admissions assessment or show acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, or TAKS tests. Your counselor will have more information about assessments. Useful test preparation information can be found at the CollegeForTexans.com web site

You need to make an appointment with your high school counselor to begin the registration process.

To find the date of the next test being held at your high school please visit the Early College Start Calendar of Events.(Dates subject to change)

Start now!

Signing Up for ECS - Eight Steps to Co-enroll

The Early College Start co-enrollment process involves several Austin Community College departments. Begin the process as early as possible in order to meet the registration deadlines. Some pre-enrollment activities may be offered on your high school campus.

Step 1: High school counselor
Meet with your high school guidance counselor to determine whether you need to take any state-mandated assessments. All students are required to complete an approved college assessment or show proof of exemption before taking college courses. Your counselor will help you gather the information you need to register for ECS courses. Complete the web application process.

Step 2: Assessment
Check with your high school counselor to see if the ASSET is scheduled at your high school. Or contact an ACC Assessment Office to make an appointment for the COMPASS test, available at an ACC campus. You can test free the first time at ACC if you submit a COMPASS fee waiver request when you schedule an assessment.

Exemptions : You are exempt from taking a mandatory assessment if you have acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, or TAKS tests. Minimum scores are:

• ACT – 23 composite, with 19 in English and 19 in Math
• SAT – 1070 composite, with 500 in Critical Reading and 500 Math
• TAKS – 2200 in Math, and 2200 in ELA, AND at least a 3 in Writing Essay

Step 3: Complete ECS paperwork with your high school counselor
Have a follow-up meeting with your high school guidance counselor. Pick up your ECS co-enrollment form and complete it with your counselor. Bring your assessment results or proof of exemption to your counseling session – you will need them to register for classes. You and your counselor should select ACC courses at this time and record choices on the ECS co-enrollment form. Obtain an official high school transcript from your registrar.

Step 4: New Student Pre-Advising
complete Pre-Advising and check the list at www.austincc.edu/acc101
Before moving to the next step, be sure you have completed all forms and obtained all required signatures of approval. Print this checklist to help you: Forms checklist

Step 5: ACC Academic Advising
Bring all the documents listed on the forms checklist to an ACC Advising Center at any ACC campus. No appointments are necessary; students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be cleared to register only after you have successfully completed your advising session. Get an ACC advisor’s signature on the ECS co-enrollment form. An ACC advisor may be scheduled to collect your materials at your high school.

Step 6: Admissions Office
After your advising session, take the following completed forms to the Admissions Office if an ACC advisor has not visited your school:

• ACC Residency Form (completed during the web application process)
• ECS co-enrollment form, which includes the ACC advisor’s signature
• Official high school transcript that includes your high school’s seal and registrar’s signature
• Out-of-District Tuition Exemption Request, if required

Step 7: Register for courses
Now you are ready to sign up for your classes. Check the ACC Course Schedule and the Phone & Web Eligibility Schedule to find out when you may register. Registration is available either online or by telephone. See Registering for Classes for tips.

Step 8: Pay per-course fees and/or tuition, if applicable
The deadline for paying tuition and/or per-course fees is based on the date you register. Check the ACC course Schedule or registration calendar to find out your payment deadline. IMPORTANT: You will be dropped from your classes if you fail to submit payment by your deadline. You can make payment online at the time you register or stop by the Cashier’s Office on any ACC campus.