Purposeful Credit

Students who elect to take dual credit should consider how the course will align with their post-secondary goals.  Students should look for credits that fit into the degree or certificate pathways that interest them. Unsatisfactory grades can have a negative impact on a student’s financial aid opportunities; failing grades can impact financial aid eligibility.  Additionally, credits earned in high school count toward the 90 credit maximum for the Oregon Promise grant.  Students should only sign up for credit that is purposeful.
 

Dual Credit LOCATIONs

WHAT IS Dual Credit?

Dual credit is the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit while still in high school. A qualified instructor provides rigorous content aligned with college coursework through regional post-secondary institutions and partnerships such as Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland Community College, Western Oregon University, Tillamook Bay Community College, Central Oregon Community College and Willamette Promise. Upon completion of the course, students can earn both high school credit as well as college credit that is reflected in a transcript from the post-secondary institution.

Because of the nature of post-secondary partnership agreements, qualifications of instructors, and staffing, in some circumstances we might not be able to offer dual credit aligned with high school courses. It should be known that when students enroll in a high school dual credit-articulated course, it is not guaranteed they will receive college credit.

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Central Oregon Community College (COCC) — College Now (Culinary Only)

Partner: COCC (for culinary)
Credit Type(s): COCC college credit (plus concurrent high school credit)

Cost / Fees:

• The College Now program charges $25 per college credit for many courses.
   
• Note: The $25 per credit fee under College Now is much lower than standard tuition; this is a subsidized / negotiated rate for high school students.

Admissions/Registration:

• How to Register for a College Now Course - student guide
• College Now (Dual Credit) academic calendar

Notes & Conditions:

• The $25 per credit is specific to the high school-based “College Now” program. If a student were to enroll directly in COCC outside that arrangement, they would pay standard tuition rates.

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Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) Dual Credit

Partner: Oregon Institute of Technology
Credit Type(s): OIT college credit (via dual credit courses taught in high school)

Cost / Fees:

• OIT charges a flat rate of $100 per direct dual credit course (regardless of number of credits). Oregon Institute of Technology
   
• Students from families receiving SNAP, meeting expanded income thresholds, foster youth, or wards of the state may qualify for a tuition waiver.
   
• Students enrolled in OIT courses via Willamette Promise still pay through the Promise portal and only pay the Willamette Promise tuition fee (i.e. dual credit via OIT under Willamette Promise). Willamette Promise Dual Credit
   
• The OIT direct dual credit cost is significantly lower than the regular per-credit rates for OIT full-time students.

Admissions/Registration:

• Admissions/Registration Information webpage
• Dual Credit Application Instructions
• Dual Credit Application
• Dual Credit First Time Login Instructions for registration

Important Notes / Caveats:

• The Direct Credit $100 per course fee is a flat per-course fee, not per credit hour. So whether the course is 2, 3, or 4 credits, the fee remains $100.
   
• Waivers must be applied for; eligibility is not automatic. Oregon Institute of Technology
   
• If a student later enrolls in the same or similar course at OIT in a regular context, standard tuition and fees will apply.

Dual Credit Comparison 

*These costs reflect published rates as of the time of writing. They may be subject to change. Always verify with each institution before enrolling.

How Dual Credit Works & What It Costs

• Determine eligibility & partner program:
  Work with your high school counselor and teachers to see which dual credit courses are offered locally and which entity the dual credit is offered through (Willamette Promise, PCC, COCC, OIT).
• Understand the cost structure:
  
  Each partner has a different pricing model:
  • Willamette Promise charges a flat $30 per year for unlimited courses, with waivers available.
  • PCC offers dual credit courses at no tuition cost to eligible students.
  • COCC’s College Now charges $25 per credit (much lower than standard rates).
  • OIT charges a flat $100 per dual credit course, regardless of credit load, with possible waivers.
• Register and pay (or apply for waiver):
  Students must complete registration steps, pay any required fees, or apply for waivers before deadlines.
   
• Take the course:
  Courses are taught under dual credit agreements, often at the high school by qualified instructors, following college-level curriculum and standards.
   
• Receive credit:
  With successful completion (meeting grade requirements), students earn both high school and college credit. (Sometimes two different grades)
  • Students must accept or decline the college credit based on their needs. (For Willamette Promise courses, students choose whether to “opt in” for the credit. ) Willamette Promise Dual Credit+2Willamette Promise Dual Credit+2
     
• Transfer / apply credits later:
  In Oregon, many high school students can take college-level courses, like WR 121Z, and earn both high school and college credit at the same time. The “Z” at the end of the course name means it’s part of a statewide transfer agreement, which makes it easier for the credit to transfer to other colleges and universities in Oregon.

When a student completes a dual credit course, they receive an official college transcript that can be used for future college classes. While most Oregon colleges accept these credits, each school decides how they count toward a degree.

Below are some in-state University transfer credit webpages:

• UofO
• Oregon State University
• Portland State University
• Southern Oregon University
• Eastern Oregon University
• Western Oregon University
• Oregon Institute of Technology

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Additional Considerations for Students & Families

• Fee waivers & financial assistance:
  Many programs offer waivers or discounts for lower-income students, SNAP recipients, foster youth, or those qualifying for Free & Reduced Lunch. For example, Willamette Promise offers waivers for F/R Lunch students, and OIT offers waivers for SNAP / low-income families. Willamette Promise Dual Credit
   
• Impact on financial aid / credit limits:
  Some colleges limit the number of dual enrollment credits that count toward financial aid or scholarships. Earning too many credits early (or failing some) could affect aid eligibility.
   
• Transfers & articulation:
  Just because credit is earned doesn’t guarantee it will count toward your future degree — you must check with your target college’s transfer/admissions office. Oregon Goes To College
   
• Deadlines & administrative steps:
  Students must complete registration, payment (or waiver application), and other administrative steps by each institution’s specified deadlines to be eligible for the dual credit.