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Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College allows high school students to enroll in college courses while still in high school to earn credit for both high school and college courses simultaneously. Our program is nationally accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). 

Students may take courses on a GNTC campus, online, or at their high school. Courses are available for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Tuition and books are covered for the first 30 hours for students who meet eligibility requirements.

Whether a student plans to attend a 4-year university or wants to obtain a career skill for quicker entry into the workforce, the Dual Enrollment program is a great way to make it happen.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment

  • Dual credit means cost-saving for families. Students can take advantage of dual enrollment funding for up to 30 hours of coursework.
  • Taking dual credit courses lessens the time needed to earn a post-secondary credential after high school graduation. If a student uses their full 30 hours of eligibility that is potentially the equivalent of one year of college courses.
  • Dual Enrollment provides students access to courses and subjects not offered at their high schools that can broaden their academic experience. Dual credit courses provide heightened academic rigor from high school courses, which may help students stay engaged in learning.
  • Career exploration is a great tool for helping students gain an understanding of the demands and skills needed for their intended profession. Dual Enrollment offers students the opportunity to explore careers in many occupational areas.
  • Dual credit courses can aid students in the transition from high school to college. Dual enrollment courses are college courses.
  • Many courses will transfer to institutions in the University System of Georgia (USG) through an Articulation Agreement, and also to other Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) institutions.

Dual Enrollment Eligibility and Admissions

Who Can Participate?

Any student who meets college admissions criteria can participate in Dual Enrollment, but to access state DE funding, a student must meet all admissions and funding requirements. 

Students enrolled in Georgia public or private high schools or home school programs that meet the criteria below:

10th Graders

  • Can take eligible career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) courses.
  • Academic core courses can be taken with a minimum score of 1200 SAT or 26 ACT.

11th and 12th Graders

  • Can take eligible career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) courses.
  • Can take academic core courses. 

GNTC Admissions Requirements

  • Students must first meet with their counselor or Dual Enrollment coordinator at their high school, obtain approval to participate, and begin the process. Home school students and parents will meet with the Dual Enrollment Specialist in High School Initiatives at GNTC.
  • Complete a GNTC Dual Enrollment application. 
  • Have a high school GPA of 2.0 documented with a high school transcript, OR have acceptable standardized test scores. Transcripts and test scores are generally provided by the high school.

Dual Enrollment Funding Process

The State of Georgia provides funding through the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) for up to 30 semester hours. To access these funds, students MUST:

  • Complete the Dual Enrollment Funding Application each year at GAfutures.
  • Have parents submit the Parent Participation Agreement as part of the DE Funding Application.
  • If male and 18 years old, the student must register with Selective Service.
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by completing 66.67% of enrolled courses and maintaining a 2.0 college GPA.


State Funding Limitations

  • Tuition Only. Dual Enrollment Funding will only pay for tuition costs. GNTC waives many mandatory fees for our dual students. However, some programs require program-specific fees, such as lab fees, supply fees, testing fees, etc. These are NOT covered by DE funding and are the student’s responsibility to pay.
  • Course Repeats. Dual Enrollment funding will not pay for a course that has already been attempted.
  • Two Withdrawals. Students will lose eligibility for the Dual Enrollment state funding after obtaining 2 course withdrawals.
  • 30 hours. Dual Enrollment Funding is only available for up to 30 semester hours. Students who wish to take more than 30 hours, may use HOPE Grant, if eligible, or may self-pay for courses. If the HOPE Grant is used, it does count towards the HOPE Grant paid hours limit.​
  • Students who choose to self-pay are not subject to these limitations.

High School Initiatives

The High School Initiatives Office oversees the dual enrollment program at GNTC, in addition to other secondary initiatives programs. 

High School Initiatives Staff

  • Kristi Hart, Director of High School Initiatives
  • Jennifer Bankston, Assistant Director of High School Initiatives; Accelerated Career
  • Mary Beth Hightower, Catoosa County, Calhoun City, Murray County, Whitfield County, and Dalton City Schools
  • Ignacio Miranda, home school students
  • Linda Tinney, Floyd County, Polk County, and Rome City Schools
  • Jennifer Reynolds, Chattooga County, Gordon County, Walker County, Dade County, Chickamauga City Schools, and Trion City Schools