High School Guest Student Quick Reference Guide

About High School Guest Students

• A State of Michigan law, passed in 1996, states that school districts must provide 11^th and 12^th grade students an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. The law was updated in 2012 to include students in 9th and 10th grades.
• Districts are required to comply with state law. A few highlights of the law include:
  • Schools must send information to all students in grades 8–12 notifying them of the high school guest/dual enrollment option;
  • The law provides for payment from the school district’s state aid allocation for Dual Enrollment to pay for college tuition/fees, and in some cases, books.
  • Guidelines for dual enrollment eligibility are set by the student’s high school and approved course(s) must lead to post-secondary credit, accreditation, certification and/or licensing. (Therefore, courses that are hobby, craft, recreational, or in the areas of physical education, theology, divinity or religious education are not eligible.)
• Dual Enrollees are considered SC4 students and able to participate in most activities on campus. Notable exceptions are intercollegiate athletics (the student generally still has high school eligibility available) and student housing (due to age restrictions).

High School Guest Student Categories at SC4

Traditional High School Guest student

• A student enrolled in a college class(es) while still in high school.
  • All costs for tuition/fees/books are paid by the student and/or their family.

Dual Enrolled student

• A student enrolled in a college class(es) while still in high school.
  • Costs for tuition/fees/books are paid by the school district, up to the limit approved by the high school principal (also referred to as the school’s “cap” amount).
  • Costs above the school’s cap are paid by the student and/or their family.

Early and Middle College students (BWMCA/CTMC)

• Students enrolled in a three-year program that starts in the student’s 11th grade year, which leads to an associate degree, certificate or a significant number of college credits.
• Students earn both high school and college credit during their 11th and 12th-grade years. Students’ third year of the program is spent entirely at the collegiate level (SC4).
• BWMCA students graduate from the Academy, not their local high school, after the 13th year. In most cases, they are allowed to participate in high school sports and activities, including graduation, though they are not actually a graduate of their local high school.
• Costs for tuition/fees/books are paid by the early/middle college program, as approved by its program director or principal.

SC4’s Enrollment Process for High School Guests

• SC4 is an open-admissions college, providing all students an opportunity for higher education.
• Complete the following pre-enrollment steps:
  • Complete the Early Admission Application and authorization form (the authorization form is required each semester for both traditional high school guests and dual-enrolled students).
  • Provide SAT or ACT scores or take the free, on-campus Accuplacer exams to determine course placement in English, math, and some science courses (if required or necessary).
  • (Optional) Meet with an academic advisor.
• In addition, high school guest students often receive extra support and guidance from their respective high school counseling offices and administration.

Protecting Student Rights and Privacy – FERPA

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the rights of all SC4 students, regardless of age. A few highlights of the law include:

• Information related to any student should not be shared with anyone, including parents, friends, and relatives, without permission of the student. FERPA waiver forms are available in the Enrollment Services office.
• Student information may be shared with SC4 college officials, as well as officials of the student’s high school. FERPA law allows for sharing of information with individuals who have a “legitimate educational interest” in the requested information. Students also provide permission to high school officials via their application for dual enrollment, BWMCA or CTMC.
• Please direct questions to Carrie Bearss, SC4 Registrar, at (810) 989-5501 or cbearss@sc4.edu.