High school students 16 years of age and older can enroll in regularly scheduled college credit division classes at KCC, or can enroll in courses exclusively for dual enrollment students at a local high school.

Through this program, students earn college credit before graduating from high school.

In addition to the general admissions requirements, high school students must submit a College Enrollment Recommendation form to KCC before enrollment. Dual enrollment students in KCC courses must meet the same requirements as all other students in the class.

Dual Credit

Dual credit opportunities are also available at several local high schools. Dual credit allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Credit awarded towards high school graduation is at the discretion of the student's high school. Contact your guidance counselor about how to earn dual credit.

For more information, contact Denise Burklow at 815-802-8508 or dburklow@kcc.edu.

Benefits of starting college while in high school

Save money

The typical cost of a three-semester-hour course at KCC is $339, plus books. A full semester of classes (12 to 15 semester hours) at KCC is less than $1,700, plus books. The average cost of a semester at a state university is more than $4,000, and going up. The average cost at a private college can be as much as $20,000 a semester.

Save time

Every college class completed during high school will trim the length of time it will take you to earn a college degree after high school graduation.

Help prepare for college

Attending college while still in high school gives you a chance to become accustomed to the demands of college-level courses.

Trim your college course load

Completing just 12 college semester hours before your freshman year of college allows you to take fewer courses each semester once you enroll full-time in college and still graduate in four years. A lighter course load will make it easier to maintain a high GPA in college.

Have a cushion

Sometimes it is necessary to drop a course in college. If you complete some courses at KCC, it will help you maintain your class standing as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior even if you must drop a course. It also may help you avoid summer courses in college, despite a rough semester.

Build an impressive credential for scholarship applications

When applying for college scholarships, students who have successfully completed courses can demonstrate they are serious about earning a college degree and have taken the initiative to get a head start. This could influence a scholarship committee.