Johnson and Wales University's early college enrollment program is meant for high school juniors who want to start college a year early. The program allows high school juniors to begin college coursework before the normal college enrollment period. Depending on the courses you take, the credits earned will be counted at the high school and college level. Students in the early enrollment program will only owe half the tuition of regular, full-time students. You can study various programs through early enrollment, including courses in business, technology, culinary arts, and hospitality, among others. To enroll, high school students must be entering senior year, be U.S. citizens, have a 2.75 GPA and a B- or higher in English.
The University of Colorado, Denver, runs the "UC Denver Scholars Program," which is an early-college program for first-generation college students. To participate in the University's early-college program, students must complete a series of workshops, including sessions on admissions and financial aid. Once accepted, students complete two college courses during their senior year of high school, which is transferable to the University of Colorado, Denver, upon entry into that campus. In order to be eligible, students must be high school juniors with a 3.0 minimum GPA. They have to have completed two years of math and English. Additionally, they must commit to participating in all program workshops and courses.
Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, Mesa State College allows high school student concurrent-enrollment programs. Students can participate in three different early enrollment programs: concurrent, high school scholar and fast track. In order to enroll in either program option, students must have a 3.0 GPA, a minimum score of 19 on the ACT English, Math and Reading exams. Additionally, students must have a B on all courses related to students intended majors. Finally, students need the approval of their high-school counselors. Courses in the early enrollment program include art history, English composition, United States history, general psychology and chemistry. Courses are offered on area high school campuses.
Located in Littleton, Colorado, Arapahoe Community College also offers an early-enrollment program for high school students. The concurrent enrollment program helps students by reducing the cost of college, increasing academic options and allowing you access to college-level work in high school. Those students who are admitted to the program have half of their 145 credits paid for by the College Opportunity Fund. Students must pass course prerequisite exams in order to gauge whether students can handle college-level work. Classes are taught at students' local high school campuses.