Dual enrollment programs are growing in popularity as students and families look for ways to save money, gain academic experience, and accelerate their path through college. If you’ve heard of Ivy Tech Dual Enroll, this article will explain what it is, how it works, who it’s for, and how you can take advantage of it.
What is Ivy Tech Dual Enrollment? (H2)
Ivy Tech Community College’s Dual Enrollment program is designed for high school students who want to take college‐level courses while still in high school. ivytech.edu
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Students remain enrolled in their high school and also enroll at Ivy Tech. ivytech.edu
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These courses are taken at an Ivy Tech campus or delivered online or through hybrid modalities. ivytech.edu+1
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The goal is to earn college credits before graduating high school, which can reduce both time and cost once you become a full college student. ivytech.edu+1
One variant of related programs is Dual Credit, where you take Ivy Tech‐taught courses at your high school, but still earn both high school and college credit. Ivy Tech’s Dual Enrollment differs in that students take courses directly with Ivy Tech. ivytech.edu+1
Benefits of Dual Enrollment at Ivy Tech (H2)
Enrolling in dual enrollment has several advantages. Here are some of the major ones:
1. Money Savings (H3)
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The tuition per credit hour at Ivy Tech is relatively low. Enrolling in college courses in high school means you pay less than you would later, when you’re a full‐time college student. ivytech.edu
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Some campuses also offer grant opportunities to high school students to reduce or waive tuition. ivytech.edu
2. Getting a Head Start on College (H3)
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You can earn a year (or more) of college credit before graduating high school. That can accelerate your degree or allow you to focus more deeply on major‐specific coursework once in college. ivytech.edu
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Completing the Indiana College Core while in high school means many general education or core requirements are already handled. That means you can enter a four‐year university as a sophomore. ivytech.edu
3. Preparation / Transition to College (H3)
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Being in a college environment early helps build skills like time management, academic readiness, and self‐motivation. ivytech.edu
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Students gain access to Ivy Tech’s academic resources: library, tutoring, advising, and other supports. ivytech.edu
4. Flexibility & Course Options (H3)
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Several delivery modes are available: in‐person, online, or hybrid. ivytech.edu
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You can take either general education courses (for transfer purposes) or career/technical courses (for certificates). ivytech.edu
Who is Eligible & What Are the Requirements? (H2)
Not every high school student will necessarily qualify for or benefit from Ivy Tech’s Dual Enrollment. Here are some of the requirements and considerations:
Eligibility (H3)
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You must be a high school student (often in grades 9‐12) who is ready for college‐level work. ivytech.edu+1
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Some courses require you to be college ready in reading, writing, and mathematics. This may mean submitting qualifying test scores (like PSAT, SAT, ACT) or having a sufficient high school GPA. ivytech.edu
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If you don’t meet those prerequisites, Ivy Tech offers a Knowledge Assessment to evaluate readiness. ivytech.edu
Expectations (H3)
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Students must follow the Ivy Tech academic calendar for courses taken. This involves submitting coursework on time, adhering to syllabi, attending classes (if in person), etc. ivytech.edu
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Transportation and other logistics to get to class (if it’s on‐campus) are the responsibility of the student/family. Ivy Tech does not provide transport. ivytech.edu
How to Apply: Step by Step (H2)
Here is a breakdown of how to apply for Ivy Tech’s Dual Enrollment program:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Talk to the Dual Enrollment Coordinator at your local Ivy Tech campus or your high school counselor. They will guide you through deciding whether Dual Enrollment is right for you. ivytech.edu+1 |
| Step 2 | Complete the application via DualEnroll.com. You only need to apply once during your high school career. ivytech.edu+1 |
| Step 3 | Look for confirmation emails: you’ll receive emails confirming your account activation, processing, and your student identification number (often called a “C#”) as well as instructions. ivytech.edu+1 |
| Step 4 | Create your MyIvy account. This is Ivy Tech’s student portal, where you’ll register for classes, view grades and transcripts, and access support resources. ivytech.edu |
| Step 5 | Assess readiness/prerequisites if needed, then register for classes in MyIvy. Work with the Dual Enrollment Coordinator to pick appropriate courses. ivytech.edu+1 |
Things to Consider & Possible Drawbacks (H2)
While there are many upsides to Ivy Tech Dual Enrollment, it’s important to be aware of some of the challenges so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Workload & Academic Rigor (H3)
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College courses generally move faster and require more self‐discipline than high school classes. Some students may find balancing high school and college work demanding.
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Deadlines are more rigid; classes might be eight weeks long or have compressed schedules. Always check the format. Reddit
Financial Costs and Aid (H3)
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Although tuition is lower, there is still a cost per credit hour. Not every student will qualify for grants or financial assistance. ivytech.edu
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Materials, textbooks, or fees may not always be included in the course fee. Be sure to ask.
Transfer of Credits (H3)
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While many courses transfer, it’s essential to verify that the courses you take will be accepted by the college or university you plan to attend later. IU Southeast+1
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Completing the Indiana College Core helps with transfer within the state. Outside of your state or in specific programs, transfer policies can vary.
Dual Enrollment vs Dual Admission vs Dual Credit: What’s the Difference? (H2)
These terms often get mixed up. Here’s a simple comparison in the context of Ivy Tech:
| Program | Who It’s For | Where You Take Classes | Credit Earned | Purpose / Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Enrollment | High school students wanting to take Ivy Tech courses outside high school or online. | At Ivy Tech campus or online. ivytech.edu | College credit (and possibly high school credit, depending on local agreement). | Prepare for college, reduce time/cost after high school. |
| Dual Credit | High school students whose schools offer Ivy Tech courses. | At high school (taught by approved instructor). ivytech.edu+1 | College + high school credit. | Convenience, earning credits without leaving high school. |
| Dual Admission | Students starting at Ivy Tech with intent to transfer to a 4‑year partner university. | Ivy Tech + partner university involvement. ivytech.edu+1 | Associate degree + pathway to bachelor’s degree. | Seamless transition to a 4‑year university. |
Examples & Programs Related to Dual Enrollment (H2)
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NEST Dual Enrollment Program (Ball State & Ivy Tech): High school students in this program at Muncie can start at Ivy Tech, live in Ball State residence halls, take some classes at both institutions, and earn guaranteed admission to Ball State once they complete requirements. Ball State University
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Green/Crimson Dual Admission Program: Students completing an associate degree at Ivy Tech can be admitted to Indiana University Southeast with certain conducted supports and resources. IU Southeast+1
Tips for Success if You Choose Ivy Tech Dual Enrollment (H2)
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Plan ahead with your future in mind
Choose courses that align with your intended major or career path. If you plan to transfer, check the transfer equivalencies. -
Stay organized
Keep track of deadlines, coursework, and schedules. Use tools like calendars, agendas, or study groups. -
Communicate with advisors & teachers
Your high school counselor and your Ivy Tech Dual Enrollment Coordinator are key. They can help you understand prerequisites, credit transfer, and success strategies. -
Manage your time well
Balancing high school courses, college coursework, extracurriculars, and possibly work demands good time management. -
Utilize support services
Make use of tutoring, library resources, online tools, and any student support offered through Ivy Tech.
Conclusion (H1)
Ivy Tech Dual Enroll offers a powerful opportunity for high school students to get a jump start on college. With thoughtful planning, understanding of requirements, and commitment, you can earn significant college credit, save both time and money, and build valuable academic skills. If you think Dual Enrollment might be right for you:
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Talk to your school counselor or Ivy Tech coordinator
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Review transfer policies of schools you might want to attend
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Think about how you’ll balance workload
