Parents of high school students – are you getting emails about your students’ classes and their eligibility for dual enrollment?
If the answer is yes, keep reading…
I bet your first thought is simply, “Is it worth it?” You’re likely already paying for school fees, activities, sports, gas, and probably a lot of food for your growing kid. Is another few hundred dollars a good investment of your money?
Whatever you do, DON’T ASK FACEBOOK.
There you will find plenty of answers, and 75% of them will probably be incorrect. Instead, ask an advisor! But don’t do that just yet. Keep reading…
There are many common misconceptions about community college that I’m sure you’ve heard. It’s only for people who can’t afford universities. Tuition is cheap; therefore, the education is not high-quality. Community college credits do not transfer to four-year institutions, or they only transfer in-state. It’s only a back-up option if you aren’t accepted elsewhere.
Not only are all of these statements untrue, they’re also very misleading and created missed opportunities for high schoolers. Getting an early start on your college education can definitely pay off. In fact, studies show that students experience greater academic success in college when they complete dual enrollment courses in high school.
When you take dual enrollment classes, you’ll be earning high school and college credits at the same time. GateWay Community College partners with local high schools to offer dual enrollment credit for both academic and occupational classes. The courses are taught on high school campuses by college-approved high school teachers and can be counted toward high school graduation requirements.
In fact, community college is a great place for students preparing to go on to a four-year university. Students get the opportunity to focus on core courses like English, math, and science, all of which will easily transfer to universities. Students also benefit from smaller class sizes, which means they can build a strong academic foundation before tackling the larger, more competitive environment of a four-year school.
The cost is $97 per class credit hour; that’s literally a fraction of what some universities cost. (Some expensive forks, if you know what I mean.) If you need help paying for tuition, the Maricopa Grant can help, and there’s still time. Fall 2025 applications are due by September 22.
But just because they cost less, doesn’t mean they’re worth less. GateWay offers fully accredited, challenging courses and rigorous programs. The college has partnerships with industry leaders that provide students with innovative programs in current, high-demand industries. Being more affordable does not mean the quality of education is compromised.
It’s also not difficult to transfer credits on to another college or university. GateWay has transfer partnerships with all public universities in Arizona, as well as various out-of-state, private, and online colleges and universities. That means students can complete most of their general requirement with significantly reduced financial burden. AZTransfer’s Course Equivalency Guide allows you to search for specific course transferability. GateWay also has transfer specialists to aid in the process, and transfer-specific financial aid is often available to help you succeed.
Community college isn’t the second choice. It’s a smart choice. It’s a great way to give your student a head start on their future. Learn more at https://www.gatewaycc.edu/students/dual-enrollment.
