{ Early College Start WELCOME Future ECS Students & Parents

 Tuition & Fee WAIVED or low cost college credit classes while still in high school!* -To earn high school, college, and/or ACCTech credits *Depends on where a student resides within the ACC Service Area (In- or Out-of-District) WHAT?

 Dual Credit – college course also meets high school graduation requirement (ex. GOVT 2305)  Co-Enrollment – college course not needed for graduation (ex. GOVT 2306) WHAT?

 Students who are “Rising Juniors” and have completed their sophomore year  Meet TSI/College Readiness requirements established by the State of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). WHO?

 Starting the summer after 10 th grade  Ending upon graduation  Students get a total of 12 course attempts/waivers = 36 college credit hours (potentially) WHEN?

 ECS Students may take classes at their high school before, during, and after the school day (if offered)  ECS Students may also take classes at any ACC campus, Center location, or via Distance Learning WHERE?

 Save $$$ (potentially 1yr+ of college!)  Earn both high school and college credit  Gain college-level experience while in high school  Stand out on college admission applications  Graduate from college early WHY?

See New ECS Student Enrollment Steps worksheet:  Step 1:Application  Step 2:Orientation (online)  Step 3:Testing  Step 4:Advising  Step 5:Registration  Step 6:Payment (if applicable) HOW? New ECS Student Enrollment worksheet:

 Even when the student is a minor, once they enroll in a postsecondary institution, they are treated as an adult!  FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Federal law)  Students “own” their academic records – no one else may have access without written student consent  Parents not automatically entitled to see underage college student records, including absences, grades, and course progress Very Important Notice for Students & Parents

 College professors not required to talk with parents; most will interact only with their student  ACC information goes directly to the student via the students ACCmail account  Course content and student expectations are not altered in any way to accommodate students under 18 years of age  Students pay for textbooks/required materials Very Important Notice for Students

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) – Dept. of Ed.  Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA  Students must complete 67% of all college courses (Completion Rate)  Courses failed and/or dropped with a ‘W’ count towards SAP  Failure to meet SAP requirements may affect financial aid eligibility once the student graduates from HS and attends a 2yr/4yr college or university Very Important Notice for Students

 ECS students do better than traditional students in terms of mean GPA and have better persistence from semester to semester  ACC credits transfer seamlessly to Texas public colleges and universities  U.S. Government at ACC = U.S. Government at UT, TAMU, Tx State, etc.  ACC credits can transfer widely to Texas private colleges, as well as out-of-state public and private colleges/universities Good News!

QUESTIONS?

Zach Denton, M.A. Early College Start Specialist Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX (512) Contact Us