Currently enrolled high school juniors and seniors may register for college-level classes that are not replicated through the school district curriculum as provided for through the Postsecondary Education Options Act.


High school students may access these college-level courses in three distinct ways:

1) taking college courses delivered in participating high schools through the Early Scholars Program;

2) enrolling in courses at one of Mesa State's campuses; or

3) participating in the Fast Track program for students who have completed all high school graduation
requirements and enrolling full-time at one of Mesa State's campuses.

To participate in the Early Scholars Program, students must be of junior or senior standing and be currently
enrolled in high school (public, private, or home-school) and meet all of the following in order to be considered:

1. 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average;
2. Grades of "B" or higher in at least two courses in the academic area to be taken;
3. ACT reading score of 19 or higher;
4. ACT English score of 19 or higher; or SAT Verbal score of 470 or higher; and
5. ACT Math score of 19 or higher; or SAT Math score of 470 or higher.

Note: Students must take the Accuplacer placement assessment if the above tests have not been taken.
Accuplacer may be scheduled by contacting the College's Testing Center at 970-255-2750. Accuplacer also is
available on-line at a cost of $15 per section.

In some cases, the school district or the Department of Education will pay the tuition of the student to attend Mesa State College (summer school excluded). Students are always responsible for payment of any and all fees, books, and supplies. The student is responsible for payment of tuition not covered by the school district or the Department of Education. Students must give notice to the high school 60 days before the beginning of the semester they wish to enroll and have all information submitted to the Mesa State College Admissions Office. All students wishing to enroll concurrently at Mesa State College must be enrolled in high school (or, if home-schooled, be at the senior or
junior level). The application process is as follows:

First-time Applicants
Qualified students must complete and submit the Early Scholars Application Form and both sides of the Early
Scholars Course Registration Form along with all the following documents:

  • high school transcripts (or, if home schooled, a grade report meeting such criteria);
  • scores from the tests as previously outlined above;
  • $30 non-refundable application fee (first-time applicants only); and
  • proof of two measles, mumps & rubella vaccinations (not required for students enrolled in classes taken in their high school).

Please note: Applications cannot be processed until appropriate test scores have been submitted.

Returning Applicants

Students previously enrolled as concurrent as Fast Track or Early Scholars need only complete both sides of the Early Scholars Course Registration Form each semester. Updated transcripts and test scores as outlined above must also be submitted. Notify the Admissions Office of any address or telephone number changes. All concurrently enrolled students must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Students must maintain a grade of "C" or better in each class to continue in the Early Scholars Program;
  • Concurrent students, whether taking classes in the high school or on one of Mesa State's campuses, may take a maximum of four classes per semester (science lectures and the corresponding labs are considered one class);
  • Fast Track students may take a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester.
  • All Early Scholars Program students are ineligible to enroll in "Activity" courses. These are identified in the course descriptions as "KINA" classes.
 

Concurrent students must apply for their College Opportunity Fund (COF) voucher by accessing www.collegeincolorado.org. This only needs to be done once. Colorado law requires a student to enter their State of Colorado driver's license or State of Colorado identification card information when applying for COF.

Credits taken while a student is concurrently enrolled will count against a student's 145 COF credit hour maximum.
Mesa State College 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 current Mesa State College
catalog.

For questions related to student admission into the Early Scholars Program, contact the Admissions Office at 970-248-1458.

Early Scholars Program