Why are early college programs, such as dual enrollment, beneficial?

• National and state research consistently show that these programs improve rates of college access and completion, particularly for low income students, students of color, and first-generation and other underrepresented groups.
• Students who participate in these programs are more prepared to succeed in college and more likely to graduate, which is critical as only 62% of students who begin a bachelor’s degree complete it after 6 years 

Early college credit opportunities provide students with a way to earn college credit and get a head start on their education and career goals. Santa Barbara County students can take college courses and earn credits towards a degree (Certificate or Associate’s) or the credits can be transferred to other colleges/universities. Students can accomplish this by taking courses through dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment or articulation.

• Santa Barbara City College offers a Dual Enrollment program that allows students the opportunity to earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously during their regular school day.  This is not only a great way to receive a rigorous, college-aligned curriculum, but it also allows students the ability to begin accruing college credits while in high school.  In most cases, there are no fees associated with a Dual Enrollment course.   To take courses on the college campus dual enrollment students need to complete some steps to enrollment so please start the process early and talk to your counselor to learn more about taking courses on your high school campus or the college campus for college credit. 

• Allan Hancock College (AHC) provides an opportunity for high school students to take college courses on a community college campus and online through the College Now! program or on high school campuses as concurrent enrollment. High school students must complete certain admission and registration steps in order to participate in the program and will receive college credit that in many cases can be transferred to a 4-year university or applied towards an AA or AS degree at AHC. The list of available College Now! courses and high schools participating in concurrent enrollment is published annually on AHC website.
  
  
• Articulation is a means for high school students to earn college units through their high school coursework. Through an articulation agreement between high schools and post-secondary institutions, students can earn credit for their work that is deemed college level. Talk to your counselor to learn any articulated courses at your high school.
  
  Click on the college logo below for more information on the dual and concurrent enrollment and articulation processes, documents and requirements for each college: