Ensuring Success for Every Student with Early College Access Programs
Through a partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College, high school students can take college level courses at any Montgomery College campus during their junior and/or senior year or at their high school location. Participation in the Early College Access Programs will give students the opportunity to earn transferable college credit, learn essential skills of time management and build self-confidence as they plan for their future and endless possibilities.
The list of institutions who have accepted transfer credit for courses taken through Montgomery College is quite impressive. Click here to view the list and see a sample of courses currently offered. Course options vary depending on class size at the time of registration.
[updated November 29]
FAQ's & Requirements for High School Students:
- Seniors are required to have a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Juniors are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and completed their sophomore year prior to participation in the program.
- Participants must have approval of parent (or guardian).
- Participating juniors and seniors must meet the required score on the Accuplacer (a computerized placement exam) and/or:
- SAT score of 550 or higher score on critical reading and/or math
- ACT score of 24 or higher on math and/or English
Application Timeline:
Interested juniors and/or seniors must express interest at the time of fall high school registration. Forms will be distributed to students during this time. Counselors will then direct students to visit the College/Career Information Center for the MC Early Placement Program packet. Students will be required to follow Northwest deadlines as well as MC deadlines for college class registration.
Next Steps and How to Enroll:
Application packets are available in the College/Career Information Center. Interested students must have application packets with them prior to meeting with their senior administrator or counselor. The packet includes:
Northwest + MC Early College Access Student Information & Checklist
The MC Application & Early Placement Recommendation Form
The Northwest + MC Early College Access Counselor Checklist
The MC High School Grant Application (look for "College Institute Grant")
Seniors:
Request a meeting with your senior administrator to talk about your schedule options and then schedule a meeting with your counselor to complete the Early Placement Program Recommendation form and Counselor Checklist.
Juniors:
Meet with your counselor to talk about your schedule options and to complete the Early Placement Program Recommendation form and Counselor Checklist.
Please note: Once approved for program participation, your counselor will submit the Counselor Checklist to the College/Career Information Center. When the checklist is received, your unofficial transcript will be requested and waiting for you to pick up during your final MC application review. A one day minimum turn around is required to process transcript requests for MC Early Placement applications.
Juniors & Seniors:
- Complete the Montgomery College (MC) Early Placement Recommendation form with your counselor and obtain all required signatures.
- Complete the Montgomery College (MC) application.
- Make a copy of your SAT and/or ACT scores. Include a copy of these test scores with your application. Please note that if you do not have SAT and/or ACT scores, you will need to take schedule an appointment at MC to take the Accuplacer before class registration.
- Take the MC application, the copy of your test scores and Early Placement Recommendation form to the College/Career Information Center for final application review.
- You are now ready to take your complete Early Placement packet to the MC Admissions Office. Please be prepared to pay the MC application fee. If you would like to be considered for the High School Grant as a possible way to pay for your classes, take that completed form with your to MC as well.
- If needed, make arrangements at MC to take the Accuplacer (based on above requirements).
- Once MC registration is complete, return a copy of your class registration form to the College/Career Information Center. This is REQUIRED before your high school schedule can be finalized by your counselor!
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Money Matters & Financial Aid:
Family is responsible for tuition, fee's and text book expenses.
The Montgomery College High School Grant is available for families with demonstrated financial need (first come basis). The High School Grant application is available in the NWHS College/Career Information Center and on the MC web site. Click
here and look for the "College Institute Grant" form.
The Montgomery College TIPS (Tuition Installment Plan) is available
Students enrolled in the Early College Access Programs can take up to 7 credits per semester with a maximum of 12 credits total before high school graduation.
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Contact Information: