College Opportunities for High School Students

High school students now have many opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. 

College Credit Plus

The College Credit Plus program allows students to earn college credit as early as seventh grade. Courses are frequently offered on-site at local high schools. Students may also have the option of taking LCCC classes online or on LCCC's campus. Classes taken through CCP count for both high school and college credit and are FREE for most students. 

The MyUniversity program, a unique partnership between LCCC and area high schools, provides a pathway for high school students to the full college experience – starting in high school.

LCCC offers two dual enrollment options for high school students. The Ohio College Credit Plus program, sponsored by the State of Ohio, allows students to earn college credits while in high school, all for free. Under this program, students enroll in courses and receive dual credit for high school requirements and college credit. These credits may be used for transfer to the college or university of choice after high school graduation. Even books and other fees are covered under this state-funded program. More than 4,000 high school students participate in the College Credit Plus program by enrolling in LCCC classes.

High school students may also earn college credits under LCCC’s Credit-in-Escrow program. In this program, students pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies and bank their college credit for future use or transfer to another university or college.

College Credit Plus Facts

• To be eligible, students must be in grades 7-12, attending a public or non-public, chartered or non-chartered school, or home-schooled.
• Written permission of appropriate secondary school officials is REQUIRED before course enrollment to assure graduation applicability of courses.
• The secondary school may require the student and parent or legal guardian to sign a statement of financial responsibility acknowledging who agrees to assume the cost of the program if the student fails or withdraws from one or more courses.
  • First-time participants of the College Credit Plus program are REQUIRED to submit their completed application to LCCC’s Office of Special Admissions by April 15 for the summer semester, by June 15 for the fall semester or by October 15 for spring semester participation.
• Before final admission to College Credit Plus, students must meet admission requirements set forth by the state of Ohio.
• Students will be permitted to participate in college-level courses (no developmental education courses) during summer, fall and spring semesters, as recommended by the secondary school counselor and placement assessment process.
• Students may register for classes taught on the LCCC campus, at an LCCC Learning Center, online, at selected high school sites, or any combination.

Credit-in-Escrow Facts

• Available during the academic year to students in grades seven through twelve attending a public or non-public, chartered or non-chartered school who want to earn and bank their college credit for future use or transfer to another college or university.
• Students must be admitted three weeks before the first day of the semester.
• Before final admission to Credit-in-Escrow, students must meet admission requirements set forth by the state of Ohio.
• Students will be permitted to participate in college courses during the fall, spring and summer semesters, as recommended by the secondary school counselor and LCCC placement assessment process.
• Students may have the option to have courses count on their high school transcript but must declare this intention in writing with their high school before participating.

Home-Educated

Home-educated students will be admitted to dual enrollment programs if the student is 12 years or older before September 30 of that academic year. Students are required to submit their application and course recommendation signed by a parent or legal guardian and an official high school transcript or report card (required if the student at any time attended a public or non-public high school) by April 15 for summer semester, by June 15 for fall semester or by October 15 for spring semester. Late applications will not be accepted. Before final admission to College Credit Plus, students must meet admission requirements set forth by the state of Ohio. 

Students who are home-educated or attending a nonpublic high school and wish to participate in College Credit Plus must complete additional paperwork outlined by the Ohio Department of Education. For more information, visit College Credit Plus | Home | The Ohio Department of Higher Education

MyUniversity

The MyUniversity program, a unique partnership between LCCC and area high schools, provides a pathway for high school students to the full college experience – starting in high school. MyUniversity builds on Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, where 7-12 grade students can begin their college pathway before graduating from high school. Additionally, MyUniversity students can graduate from high school with both an associate degree and a high school diploma, free of charge and well on their way to the bachelor’s degree from the University Partnership. Suggested academic pathways starting in high school through University Partnership bachelor’s degrees can be found at www.lorainccc.edu/myuniversity.

College Tech Prep

Partner districts include Ashland-County West Holmes Career Center, EHOVE Career Center, Lorain County JVS, Lorain High School, Medina County Career Center, Pioneer Career Center, Polaris Career Center, & Sandusky High School. Additional information is available at each district's guidance office or online at  www.lorainccc.edu/techprep.  

High School College Tech Prep Program Options

Depending on student interest and school district, students may choose from a variety of College Tech Prep career pathway programs, which include the following options:

• Allied Health Sciences 
• Biomedical Sciences 
• Building and Construction Technology 
• Business Management 
• Computer-Aided Design 
• Criminal Justice 
• Culinary Arts 
• Cyber & Network Security
• Early Childhood Education 
• Graphic Design 
• Interactive Multimedia Technology 
• Project Lead the Way 
• Sports, Health and Fitness Technology 
• Teacher Education Exploration
• Welding Technology

Additional information on College Tech Prep programs is available in high school guidance offices or by visiting www.lorainccc.edu/techprep.

Early College High School

Early College High School is an innovative learning environment located on the LCCC campus. Early College is designed to inspire and motivate students who have potential to be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Elyria City Schools has collaborated with Lorain County Community College to develop the Lorain County Early College High School. To date, Early College High School enrolls students from the Elyria City Schools district who serve as the core of the program. Students from Lorain County school districts may participate in the Early College High School program through open enrollment provided by the Elyria City School District.

The state of Ohio stipulates Lorain County Early College High School program shall prioritize the following students:

1. Students who are underrepresented in regard to completing post-secondary education;
2. Students who are economically disadvantaged, as defined by the Ohio Department of Education;
3. Students whose parents did not earn a college degree.

Beginning in the ninth grade year, students participate in a combined high school and college experience. Students enroll in courses at LCCC and receive dual credit for high school requirements and for college credit. These credits will be applied toward an associate degree at LCCC and may also transfer to any college or university in the State of Ohio. Students should consult the catalog of the transfer institution and plan their program with a college counselor for out-of-state institutions to ensure credits transfer. Students can validate credits at www.transferology.com.