Early College

Early College Credit Options 2020-2021
Save time and money by earning college credits in high school!
Students can begin their college education in high school and graduate with a Rogue Community College and/or Southern Oregon University college transcript. Students have the option to register for SOU at a significant discount ($45 per credit) or RCC (FREE) credits when they take early college credit eligible classes available in high school. Please note that for some classes, students have the option of applying for RCC or SOU credit.

***** Please keep in mind, starting this year, the Medford School District will pay only for 100 level courses and higher *****

ROGUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE “COLLEGE NOW” CREDITS
 -Classes are taken on the high school campus and taught by high school faculty.
 -Credits are offered for free.
 -Credits transfer to Oregon public universities and community colleges. Check with private and out of state schools to determine if and how they will accept these credits.
 -Classes taken earn both high school and college credit.
 -For most classes, students register by the end of December to receive credit for the first semester. Some yearlong classes will enroll only spring quarter (March). The benefit of the later registration is to allow students more time to determine if they are going to be successful in the class before committing the grade to their permanent college record.

SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY “ADVANCED SOUTHERN CREDIT” (ASC)
 -Classes are taken on the high school campus and taught by high school faculty.
 -Credits are offered at a significant discount from regular SOU tuition ($45 per credit). During the 2019-20 academic year, each full year class (eight-unit ASC course) will cost $360.
 -Credits transfer to Oregon universities and community colleges. Check with private and out of state schools to determine if and how they will accept these credits.
 -Classes taken earn both high school and college credit.
 -Students must register at the beginning of October to receive credit for the first semester.
 -Students who earn college credits in high school may be eligible for the Jackson/Josephine Pledge saving 35% on tuition and graduating from college in three years.
 -The Medford School District pays for tuition for ASC students who qualify for free and reduced meals.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TESTS
 -The Medford School District will pay the AP exam fee for all students. 
*Students who qualify for free/reduced meals qualify for an AP exam fee waiver*

• AP Tests are nationally-recognized assessments. 
• Many U.S. colleges provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying AP exam scores.
• AP scores earned are based on an exam taken in May.
• Students who earn a four on the Spanish AP exam qualify for the Biliteracy Seal.
• Qualifying scores on AP exams meet the Essential Skills requirement for a diploma.

EARLY ENTRY PROGRAMS

RVTD buses stop at each high school. Students can attend college classes at the Higher Ed Center on Riverside or at the RCC Table Rock Campus and the District will pay their tuition. High school students are eligible to take college classes taught by college instructors through RCC’s Extended Options and SOU’s Early Entry programs. Criteria for eligibility include good academic standing and pre-approval by high school counselor or administrator. Credits earned at RCC and SOU are also included on the high school transcript. For more information visit www.go.roguecc.edu/department/pathfinder and www.sou.edu/youth/early-entry.

All Oregon Public Universities and Community Colleges accept RCC and SOU credits. If students are planning to apply to private or out-of-state public schools, it is important they check with each school on its policy regarding college credit earned in high school, as policies vary widely. If schools award credit, it may be in the subject area or as elective credit. Many private colleges will only award college credit for an Advanced Placement (AP) class if the student achieves a certain score on the AP exam. Some colleges will not accept any college credits earned for taking a high school class.

Please note that if a student earns more than a certain number of college credits while in high school, some colleges will not consider the student a freshman when they enroll. While many students/parents may feel it is a benefit to start college as a sophomore, others may not – as these students are often not eligible for four- year merit aid scholarships. If you have additional questions about the pros and cons of earning early college credits, please contact a school counselor or the colleges to which you are planning to apply.