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Dual Enrollment & High School Students

Earn college credits while still in high school!

Qualified high school students can take advantage of dual enrollment classes through our accredited Accelerated College Education (ACE) program, where they can enroll in college-level courses taught by their high school or technical school teacher. These students can earn dual credits through both Penn Highlands and their high school. These credits can be applied towards your associate degree, or can be transferred to other colleges and universities.

ACE Tuition Cost: $69 Per Credit (subject to change)


ACCELERATED COLLEGE EDUCATION (ACE DUAL ENROLLMENT) STUDENT APPLICATION

Complete this application if you are a current high school student at one of our ACE partner school districts and plan to take one or more of your qualified high school courses for Penn Highlands Community College credit.

Notes:

  • These courses are taken at your high school and taught by your high school teachers.
  • ACE courses do not qualify for financial aid.
  • ACE students pay discounted tuition.

The fall application period is now closed. 

EARLY COLLEGE STUDENT APPLICATION

Complete this application if you are a current high school junior or senior and plan to take one or more college courses taught by Penn Highlands faculty either online or at one of our locations.

Notes:

  • These courses are taken alongside degree-seeking college students and are not reserved for high school students.
  • Early College courses do not qualify for financial aid.
  • Students must pay the appropriate College tuition based on the student’s county of residence (found here) and purchase all required course materials, such as textbooks.

The fall application period is now closed. 


  • How does dual enrollment work?

    High School Pathways

    We partner with high schools to identify both qualified adjunct instructors and college courses that fit our High School Pathway options. Once identified, high school students can then register with Penn Highlands for the courses. Most of the classes offered through High School Pathways are offered at the high school.

    All successfully completed courses will have grades recorded on both a Penn Highlands transcript and on the student’s high school record.

    To better serve high school students that take advantage of dual enrollment, we offer three distinct options through High School Pathways: Penn Highlands Academy, Associate in High School, and Dual Enrollment (ACE).

    Click here to learn more about High School Pathways.


    Early College Option

    Outstanding high school students may apply for early admission and take classes at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College during their junior and senior years. These courses are the full College credit price (not the reduced dual enrollment tuition) and are taken at a College facility. To apply for this option, click here. 

     

  • Why should I participate?

    Enrolling in dual enrollment courses through a High School Pathways option provides many benefits. Here are just a few:

    • You will save money. Our courses are offered at a significantly reduced tuition rate compared to standard college courses. This saves you money, now and in the future.
    • You will receive college credit. The credits you earn will be applied towards a Penn Highlands degree or are transferable to many other colleges and universities.
    • You will get a jump start on college. Dual enrollment courses help ease the transition from high school to college by allowing you to experience what a college course is like.
    • You get to stay close to home. All dual enrollment courses are offered in local high schools, making travel to any Penn Highlands facility unnecessary.
  • How do I apply?

    The first step to enrolling is to complete an online application. After your application has been processed, you will receive an email that will include your myPEAK username and course registration information.

    Click Here To Apply
  • How do I register for dual enrollment courses?

    If you have already applied and been accepted into dual enrollment or Penn Highlands Academy courses, you may register for classes. To complete the registration process you must log in to myPEAK, so have your user ID and password ready.

    Have your user ID and password ready? You can click here to complete your registration process. (After clicking this link, you will be asked to log in.)


    Don’t have a user ID or password?

    This information is emailed to you within two business days after you complete your application. Please check your email for the instructions on activating your account, including your temporary password.

    If you need further assistance, please contact the Help Line at 814.262.6444.

  • How do I pay for these courses?

    Payments for dual enrollment tuition can be processed online through the College’s myPEAK portal for students. Tuition payment options include credit card (Visa or MasterCard), e-check, or by phone with the Student Accounts Office.

    Payment may also be mailed directly to the Student Accounts Office at:

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
    Attn: Student Accounts Office
    101 Community College Way
    Johnstown, PA  15904

    Click here to make an online payment. After clicking this link, you will be asked to log in, so have your user ID and password ready.

  • What are the key dates?

    Fall 2024 (Fall & Full-Year Courses)

    Monday, April 1st

    • Application for 2024-25 is available (Last day to complete application is Wednesday, September 25, 2024).
    • Placement testing begins for the fall. Contact the ACE Information Line at 814-262-6444 to discuss testing options. (Last day to complete test is Wednesday, September 25, 2024).

    Wednesday, May 1st

    • Registration opens for fall only and full year dual enrollment classes.

    Monday, August 6th

    • Tuition payments are due for fall Associate in High School students.

    Wednesday, September 25th

    • Last day to apply for fall and full-year 2024-25 enrollment.
    • Last day to complete a placement exam for entrance into English, math, and science classes.

    Friday, September 27th

    • Registration closes for fall only and full-year 2024-25 dual enrollment classes.

    Monday, September 30th – Friday, October 4th

    • Late Registration Period. Registrations received during this period will be subject to a $25 late registration fee. No new applications will be received at this time.

    Friday, October 11th

    • Tuition payments are due for fall only and full-year 2024-25 dual enrollment courses.
    • Last day to drop a fall 2024 dual enrollment course and receive 100% refund.

    Friday, November 15th

    • Last day for Student-Initiated Withdrawal from fall dual enrollment courses.*

    Spring 2025 Courses

    Monday, December 2nd

    • Application for spring 2025 is available (Last day to complete application is Wednesday, January 29, 2025).
    • Spring registration opens.
    • Placement testing begins for spring 2025 (Last day to complete test is Wednesday, January 29, 2025).

    Friday, January 17, 2025

    • Last day for Student-Initiated Withdrawal for full-year dual enrollment courses.*

    Wednesday, January 29, 2025

    • Last day to apply for spring 2025 courses.
    • Last day to complete a placement exam for entrance into English, math, and science classes.

    Friday, February 7, 2025

    • Registration closes for spring dual enrollment courses.

    Monday, February 10 – Friday, February 14, 2025

    • Late Registration Period. Registrations received during this period will be subject to a $25 late registration fee. No new applications will be received at this time.

    Friday, February 21, 2025

    • Tuition payments are due for spring semester dual enrollment courses.
    • Last day to drop a spring 2024 ACE course and receive 100% refund.

    Friday, March 14, 2025

    • Last day for Student-Initiated Withdrawal from spring semester dual enrollment courses.*

    *Note: Students who withdraw from a class receive a ‘W’ grade on their transcript. The ‘W’ grade does not calculate into the cumulative grade point average.

  • ACE Bridge Scholarship

    The ACE Bridge Scholarship aims to financially support and assist former dual enrollment (ACE) students in their pursuit of obtaining an associate degree or certificate from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

    Eligibility

    This scholarship is available to students who:

    • Completed ACE dual enrollment credits while in high school with Penn Highlands
    • Earned a grade of C or higher in all ACE dual enrollment classes.
    • Enroll as a full-time student in the fall semester immediately following their graduation from high school.
    • Pursue a major (degree or certificate) at Penn Highlands.
    • Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible for renewal of the scholarship.

    Click here to learn more.


    Award Structure

    TiersTotal ACE credits earned with a grade C or higherAward per semester for two consecutive full-time semestersMaximum award through two full-time semesters
    Tier IUp to 5 credits$250 per semester$500 total award
    Tier II6 - 10 credits$350 per semester$700 total award
    Tier III11 and above$500 per semester$1,000 total award

Have you taken dual enrollment courses before?

You do not need to complete the application again. Simply log on to myPEAK and register for the courses. If you forgot your username/password, contact the IT Help Desk at 814.262.6470.


If you need further assistance, please contact our Help Line at 814.262.6444.

Our Accelerated College Education program is accredited by the
National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. You can learn more on the NACEP website.