Earning College Credit in High School

Many high school students are considering signing up for dual enrollment courses right now, or courses that provide credit in both high school and college. This type of program is widely available, but the specific names can vary by state. They include titles such as "dual credit," "concurrent enrollment," and "joint enrollment."

You may have the opportunity to do this as a junior or senior. In fact, one government report suggested that at least "71 percent of public high schools offered programs in which students earned credit at both the high school and college levels for the same course."

If you are interested in a program like this, you should know that there are advantages and disadvantages to dual enrollment. These courses can provide a great jump-start into your college career, but they can also lead to a bigger work load and costly school supplies. Be sure you do your homework before you sign up!