Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment is a great choice for high school students who are ready to begin their college education while completing their high school degree.

Get a Head Start

High school students who have demonstrated strong academic performance may be eligible to enroll in courses at USC Union upon the recommendation of their high school counselor or principal and approval by the appropriate USC Union department.

To be eligible for dual enrollment, students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and receive a recommendation from their high school principal or designated school official, in accordance with South Carolina Commission on Higher Education requirements.

Courses are available in-person at our USC Union Campus, USC Union – Laurens Campus, participating High Schools or online. Classes are taught by professors approved by the University of South Carolina to design and teach courses equivalent to those taught at the university-level.

Tuition may be available at no cost for students who meet the eligibility requirements for South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance.

If you are interested in taking dual enrollment courses through USC Union, reach out to your high school counselor. You can also reach out to our dual enrollment coordinator, Ada Kitchens.

Prospective Students

Find more information concerning our Dual Enrollment program, admissions requirements, link to apply!

USC Union Dual Enrollment Program (USC Union Dual Enrollment Guide attachment).
Requirements:
- Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA (4.0 Scale)
- Recommendation from high school counselor / principal
Click here when you're ready to apply

You have applied, now what?
- You will receive an acceptance letter with your USC account information.
- If you did not receive an email, please email our dual enrollment coordinator.

Accepted Students

My responsibilities as a Dual Enrollment student:

Attend your classes (in-person and online).
Communicate with your instructors.
Complete a Dual Enrollment application each academic year.
USC Union Student Handbook

Now that you are admitted, complete the following steps to set up your accounts.

Use the VIP ID provided in your acceptance letter to claim your USC account. Be sure to save your username, User ID, USC email address, and password for future reference. If you get locked out of your accounts, you can reset your password or reclaim your account.

Having access to Blackboard, the University of South Carolina’s online learning platform, is essential for staying on track and being successful in your course.

As a college student, you are expected to use your USC email account when communicating with professors and USC Union staff. Important course updates and university information may also be sent to this account, so be sure to check your USC email regularly.

If you get locked out of your accounts, you can reset your password or reclaim your account at the Manage User Account page.

If you need additional assistance, follow the link to USC Student Resources.

Print this out to assist with setting up your account.

Parents

Eligible high school students can get a head start on their college goals by earning college credit while still in high school. Dual enrollment helps students build confidence, experience college-level coursework, and save time and money toward their future degree.

Is my child a good fit for Dual Enrollment?
- DE is for high school juniors and seniors that have at least a 3.0 or higher high school GPA.
- Taking college courses may help satisfy high school graduation requirements.
- DE gives academically motivated and prepared students the opportunity to get ahead, build confidence, experience college-level learning, and save time and money toward their future degree.
Is my child eligible for Dual Enrollment?
- High school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Recommendation from a school counselor / high school principal.
- Students must also complete a new application each academic year, maintain a 2.0 college GPA on a 4.0 scale, and pass at least 67% of all attempted courses.
Can I view my child’s accounts and education records?
- The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), passed by Congress in 1974, requires educational institutions to provide students access to their educational records, to allow students to correct inaccurate or misleading information in these records, and to limit the release of information to third parties. The rights parents exercise with respect to their children’s education records transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. FERPA protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
- Find more information concerning FERPA can be found here.
What is cost for Dual Enrollment?
- High School Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (HSLTAP) covers only tuition. Students are responsible for books, lab fees, and course materials.
- Students must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents, and a resident of South Carolina in addition to meeting the GPA and school counselor requirements.

Dual Enrollment Graduates

Learn how to order your official college transcript here.
What to continue your education at USC Union?
- Admission questions? Contact Amy Queen in the Student Service Building.
- Continue your education with Palmetto College! Speak with Kendra Scott for more information.

FAQs for Dual Enrollment Students

USC Union: Jeremy Black or Nick Jeter

USC Union Laurens Location: Brian Smith

IT Help Desk: 1-803-777-1800

You will follow the University of South Carolina calendar for semester start date, semester end date, and final exam period.

There will be days when you are out of class at your high school but have class at USC Union – and vice versa; this includes spring break.

Dual Enrollment classes at USC Union are FREE through The SC Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP) if students are enrolled in at least 6 and no more than 15 credits per semester. Students must also be a US citizen and SC resident for at least one year.

If the student takes less than 6 hours or more than 15 hours and cannot prove residency, the student is responsible for paying for the cost of course(s). The current rate is $75.00 / per credit hour.

$40 lab fee may apply for certain classes.

LTAP funds do not cover books. The student is responsible for the cost of all books / materials.

In order to keep LTAP, you must maintain a 2.0 college GPA on a 4.0 scale and pass at least 67% of all attempted courses. If not, you may be placed on Satisfactory Academic Progress.

To drop or withdraw from a course, you must notify your high school counselor and USC Union Dual Enrollment Coordinator, Ada Kitchens, by the published deadline for your course session listed on the Academic Calendar.

Keep in mind that dropping or withdrawing from a course may impact your eligibility for LTAP funding.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records and affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Any student, even under the age of 18, that enrolls in a college course is legally covered under FERPA.

You may complete a FERPA Release Form if you would like for a parent / guardian to have access to your student records. Once completed, please email our DE Coordinator, Ada Kitchens.

Federal Law requires all universities to provide appropriate ADA accommodations. This certainly pertains to dual enrollment and early college courses.

Please contact USC Union’s Disabilities Coordinator, Brandon Simpson, for accommodation questions and to complete a disabilities application.

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