Concurrently Enrolled High School Students

Currently enrolled high school students may register for college-level classes through six distinct programs as provided through the Concurrent Enrollment Act (CE).

Early Scholars Program

Through Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College’s Early Scholars Program, high school students may access college-level courses not replicated in the high school curriculum through enrollment on a Colorado Mesa University campus.

High School Scholars Program

College-level courses are taught at participating high schools by qualified and approved high school lecturers for academic programs at Colorado Mesa University.

Technical Scholars Program

Students enrolled in any of Western Colorado Community College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses can earn both high school and college credit.

ASCENT Program

Students meeting program qualifications may apply to enroll through Colorado’s ASCENT program if they have completed all high school graduation requirements, will have earned at least 9 college credit hours prior to high school completion, and agree to the special enrollment terms of the ASCENT Program. Students should work with their high school counselor to determine eligibility. All acceptance decisions are made by the student's school district and subject to funding accommodations set by the state.

TREP

Students who are majoring in primary or secondary education may be eligible through their high school to participate in the Teacher Recruitment Education Program (TREP). This program allows approved students to take up to two years of courses within an educator pathway tuition free (paid for by the student's school district). 

PTECH Program

Students enrolled in participating high schools may earn an Associate of Applied Science in a number of fields while they complete their high school graduation requirements. Students must apply and be accepted into the program through their high school. Students may take four, five, or six years (beginning at grade 9) to complete all their requirements.

Requirements to Participate

To participate in the Concurrent Enrollment Program, students must be currently enrolled in high school (public, private, or home-schooled) and meet the following in order to be considered:

  1. Meet competency requirements for placement in the student's desired course;
  2. Approval of high school official (not required if student is homeschooled and would be paying for courses out of pocket).

Note: Students may prove competency in Chemistry, Math, and/or English using test scores or previously earned college credit.  Accepted standard test scores are from SAT, ACT, PSAT, Accuplacer, or other CMU approved placement methods (i.e. ALEKs math placement, Chemistry Placement Exam, etc.). WCCC Student Services or CMU Testing and Prometric Center may be consulted regarding acceptable placement testing.

In most cases, the school district will pay the tuition of the student to concurrently attend Colorado Mesa University or Western Colorado Community College. Students (or parents or legal guardians if student is a minor) are typically responsible for payment of any fees, books (most Tech Scholar books are provided), and supplies. Students must apply as a concurrent student and be admitted by the Western Colorado Community College Student Services Office.

Application Process

Early Scholars/High School Scholars Programs

All students wishing to enroll in the Early Scholars or High School Scholars programs must be enrolled in high school (or, if home-schooled, be at the junior or senior level). Qualified students must complete and submit the Online Concurrent Enrollment Application. Upon admission, students then submit the Registration Form, current high school transcript, and appropriate test score reports. All Early Scholars or High School Scholars Program students must submit a Concurrent Enrollment Program Registration form each semester. This form requires completion by the student, lists the desired courses to be taken, and requires the high school official’s approval. Early Scholars students (taking classes on one of Colorado Mesa University’s campuses) must also submit proof of two (2) measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations.

Technical Scholars Program

Students earn college credits through the Technical Scholars Program while enrolled in the CTE programs at Western Colorado Community College. Students must complete and submit the Online Concurrent Enrollment Application.  Upon admission, students must then register using the appropriate Tech Scholar- High School Students Registration Form (GJ-WCCC or Montrose) prior to the start of each semester.

ASCENT Program

ASCENT stands for Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment. Students who have completed at least 9 credit hours of postsecondary courses prior to completion of his/her 12th grade year may be eligible for the ASCENT Program. They remain students in their Local Education Provider (LEP) for one year following their 12th grade year, and the LEP receives ASCENT specific per-pupil state funding that it uses to pay their college tuition. Students receive their high-school diplomas at the end of their ASCENT year.

The LEP will pay the tuition (up to the maximum provided by the Department of Education) for qualified ASCENT students; however, students are responsible for fees, books, supplies, as well as any tuition not covered by the LEP. Students must indicate their initial interest through their high school counselor in the Fall semester (see school district for deadline and application). Qualified students must complete and submit the following to apply for the ASCENT program: Colorado Mesa University or Western Colorado Community College application, ASCENT Registration eForm, current high school transcript, and appropriate test score reports.

TREP Program

TREP stands for Teacher Recruitment Education Program. Students who have completed at least 3 credit hours of approved postsecondary courses prior to completion of his/her 12th grade year may be eligible for the TREP Program. They remain students in their Local Education Provider (LEP) for two years following their 12th grade year, and the LEP receives TREP specific per-pupil state funding that it uses to pay their college tuition. Students receive their high-school diplomas at the end of their TREP years.

The LEP will pay the tuition (up to the maximum provided by the Department of Education) for qualified TREP students; however, students are responsible for fees, books, supplies, as well as any tuition not covered by the LEP. Students must indicate their initial interest through their high school counselor in the Fall semester (see school district for deadline and application). Qualified students must complete and submit the following to apply for the TREP program: Colorado Mesa University or Western Colorado Community College application, TREP Registration eForm, current high school transcript, and appropriate test score reports.

PTECH Program

PTECH stands for Pathways in Technology Early College High school.  Students, approved for the program through their high school, have the opportunity to earn an AAS in a selected technical field while simultaneously completing their high school graduation requirements.  Completion plans include four, five, and six year options, and some programs may require summer semester participation.  In addition to academics, PTECH students are matched with adult mentors currently working in the student's field of interest.  Students who are interested in this pathway should speak with their middle or high school counselor to understand what opportunities are available.

Obligations for Concurrently Enrolled Students

  1. Upon course registration, students may (or parents/legal guardians if student is a minor) incur a financial obligation to CMU.
  2. Students participating in this program must apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend. A student not registered for COF is responsible for payment of the COF stipend in addition to any additional outstanding tuition/fee charges.
  3. Because Early Scholars/High School Scholars enroll in college-level course(s), participating students must meet the same course requirements as other college and university students.
  4. Most courses taken satisfy university graduation requirements. Note that Activities (KINA) and advanced placement courses may not be eligible under the Early Scholars/High School Scholars program.
  5. Online courses are subject to approval by the student's school district, and require the student to complete a brief D2L introduction course.  Failure to complete the D2L introduction may result in the student being dropped from the online class.
  6. High school seniors may take developmental basic skills courses under the provisions of the Concurrent Enrollment program. Grades earned in the Concurrent Enrollment program are part of the student’s permanent CMU record and will appear on his/her college transcript; this may affect future university admission and/or scholarship potential.
  7. Course credits will transfer only if a student earns a C or better in the course.
  8. Students who earn a grade of D or F in any CMU or WCCC course while enrolled in the Concurrent Enrollment program may be prohibited from enrolling in any additional courses, at the discretion of their high school district. 
  9. If students withdraw from a course after the add/drop date, they will receive a grade of W or F on their CMU transcript.  See official university academic calendar for specific dates.
  10. Students participating in this program are not eligible for the following: university sports, and/or federal- or state-funded financial aid, including institutional scholarships funded with general fund dollars.
  11. Registration in the Early Scholars/High School Scholars/Technical Scholars programs does not admit the student into a degree program.
  12. Student should check with their local school district regarding specific eligibility and financial obligations.
  13. ASCENT students must re-apply to Colorado Mesa University/Western Colorado Community to continue beyond their ASCENT year.

Colorado Mesa University does not guarantee that the approved classes will be available upon registration. Before registering for a specific course, students must fulfill the prerequisites listed in the Colorado Mesa University catalog. Visit Concurrent Enrollment for more information.