Dual Credit Students
at Frank Phillips College
What is Dual Credit?
The dual credit program allows high school students the opportunity to enroll in college courses while still in high school provided they have:
- Achieved the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board testing standard on ACT, SAT, or TSI;
- Been granted permission from the high school principal or counselor; and
- Been evaluated by the Director of Enrollment Management for admission based on demonstrated ability for the courses in which they seek enrollment.
Certain courses are approved through dual credit partnerships between the college and local independent school districts for dual high school and college credit. Dual credit students enroll in college courses while in high school and earn college credit that the high school will convert to high school credit for graduation purposes.
To be admitted, dual credit students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through a standardized test noted above and provide the Office of Educational Services with written approval of the high school principal or counselor, an official high school transcript, and state-mandated test scores or proof of exemption.
HB 505, effective immediately, states the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may not limit: 1) The number of dual credit courses or hours in which a student may enroll while in high school; 2) The number of dual credit courses or hours in which a student may enroll each semester or academic year; or 3) The grade levels at which a high school student may be eligible to enroll in a dual credit course.
Dual credit students must adhere to all college policies and procedures set forth in the Student Handbook, including email, rules of plagiarism, concerns and complaints, grade appeals, and disciplinary action and appeals.
Your Journey
to Becoming a Dual Credit Student
Step 1: Apply to Frank Phillips College
Your first step is to apply for admission through ApplyTexas. Website: https://applytexas.org
Before you begin:
· Use an email address that you check regularly.
· Complete every section of the application.
· Select the Undergraduate (2-Year) application when prompted.
Step 2: Watch for Your Acceptance Email
After submitting your ApplyTexas application, Frank Phillips College will process your application.
Please allow up to five business days for processing.
Once processed, you'll receive an Acceptance Email at the email address you used on your ApplyTexas application.
This email contains:
· Your FPC username
· Your Plainsmen Email address
· Login information for your college accounts
Be sure to check both your Inbox and Spam/Junk folder.
You cannot register for classes until you have received your acceptance email.
Step 3: Activate Your College Accounts
Once you receive your acceptance email, use the information provided to activate your college accounts.
You'll need to access:
· Plainsmen Email
· Plainsmen Portal
· Brightspace
Step 4: Learn Your College Platforms
Throughout your time as a dual credit student, you'll regularly use three online platforms.
Plainsmen Email Your official Frank Phillips College email account. Check it often for important college communications.
Plainsmen Portal Your student account where you can view your schedule, grades, financial information, and other student records.
Brightspace Your online classroom where you'll access course materials, complete assignments, submit coursework, and communicate with your instructors.
Step 5: Register for Your Classes
Your high school counselor will help you:
· Choose courses that fit your graduation plan.
· Verify that you meet any required prerequisites.
· Work with Frank Phillips College to register you for your dual credit classes.
· Submit your enrollment forms and any required test scores on your behalf.
Once your registration has been processed, your classes will appear in your Plainsmen Portal. They will become available in Brightspace shortly before the semester begins.
Step 6: Pay for Your Classes
Before making a payment, visit with your high school counselor to determine whether your school district covers dual credit tuition.
If your district does not pay your tuition, you are responsible for paying your balance or enrolling in a payment plan by the payment deadline.
Failure to pay or establish a payment plan by the deadline may result in being dropped from your classes.
FAST Program
The FAST program allocates funds to partnering colleges, enabling them to offer dual credit courses to educationally disadvantaged students at no cost to these students.
As per the Texas Education Code (TEC), "educationally disadvantaged" refers to students eligible for the national free/reduced-price lunch program. Students who have participated in the national free/reduced-price lunch program at any point during the four years preceding their enrollment in a dual credit course are eligible.
The FAST program mandates that eligible students enrolled at participating colleges bear no financial burden. An eligible student will not pay tuition and fees for dual credit courses. Additionally, essential materials such as books, supplies, and other course materials must be provided to eligible students at no charge.
Eligibility is verified through the Texas Higher Education College Board (THECB), using data provided by the ISD’s to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
FAST info https://www.highered.texas.gov/student-financial-aid-programs/fast/
Dual Credit and 504 Accommodations
Students with documented learning disabilities can receive accommodation in their college courses. To begin the process, students must submit disability documentation to the FPC Director of Counseling & Testing Services.
Kaisha Yeager
Director of Counseling & Testing Services
806-457-4277
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
GETTING STARTED
- Who can take dual credit classes? Students must be currently enrolled in a high school program (public, private, or homeschool).
- How does a student get started? Students must apply to the college through ApplyTexas, be accepted for admission, and work with their high school counselor to choose courses. Quick Guide: ApplyTexas Application
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
- What are the requirements to enroll in dual credit? Students need to be in high school, apply and be accepted to the college, and meet any testing or placement requirements for the course.
- Are there testing requirements? Some courses require minimum test scores (TSIA2, SAT, or ACT). However, workforce (certificate) programs do not require test scores for enrollment.
COST & PAYMENT
- Are dual credit students eligible for federal financial aid? No. Dual credit students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Are scholarships available to dual-credit students? Yes. A dual credit scholarship application is available online: Dual Credit Scholarship Application
- What is the FAST program? The FAST program provides funding to help eligible students take dual credit courses at little to no cost. Quick Guide: Paying for Dual Credit
- How do I know if my student qualifies for FAST? Students may qualify if they participated in the free or reduced-price lunch program within the past four years. Quick Guide: Paying for Dual Credit
- Are payment plans available? Yes. Payment plans can be set up through the student portal. Quick Guide: Paying for Dual Credit
- When is payment due? Payment is due on the Friday before classes begin.
- How do I make a payment? Payments can be made through the student’s online portal, in person at any FPC campus, or by calling the Business Office to pay over the phone. Students can also view their balance and set up a payment plan in the portal. Quick Guide: Paying for Dual Credit
ACADEMICS & EXPECTATIONS
- What are the benefits of dual credit? Students can earn college credit while in high school, save money on future college tuition, and get a head start on a degree or certificate.
- Will dual credit courses at FPC transfer to other colleges? Yes. Core academic courses are designed to transfer to public universities in Texas. Students should still check with their intended college to confirm transfer policies.
- Who helps the students enroll in dual credit? The high school counselor and college staff work together to guide students through the process. Quick Guide: Register for Dual Credit
- What should my student do if they are failing or struggling in a dual credit course? If your student is struggling or failing a dual credit class, the most important first step is to have them reach out to their instructor right away. Instructors can provide guidance, clarify expectations, and help them understand what options are available. Quick Guide: Struggling in a Class?
- How does my student drop or withdraw from a dual credit course? Students cannot drop or withdraw from a dual credit course on their own. Because dual credit is part of their high school schedule, the high school must be involved in the process. To drop a course, students should:
-
- Communicate with their instructor
- Speak with their high school counselor.
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- The high school and college will work together to process the drop or withdrawal. Quick Guide: Dropping or Withdrawing from a Class
- What is the difference between dropping and withdrawing from a course? The difference comes down to when the student leaves the course:
- Drop: if a student leaves the course by the official drop date, the course will not appear on their college transcript.
- Withdraw (W): If a student leaves the course after the official drop date, they will receive a “W” on their college transcript.
- A “W” does not affect GPA but will remain on the student’s permanent record and may impact future financial aid or college plans. Students can retake the course later—the new grade will replace the “W” for GPA purposes, and the transcript will show it was retaken.
- If your student is considering dropping a course, they should speak with their high school counselor and instructor to review deadlines and options. Quick Guide: Dropping or Withdrawing from a Class
- Can my student take dual credit classes in the summer? Yes, students can take college courses in the summer. Each high school decides how the credit counts toward graduation and whether they will cover any of the cost. Policies can vary by district, so it’s best to check with your student’s high school counselor to understand how summer dual credit works at your school. Quick Guide: Summer Classes
PARENT INFORMATION
- My student is a minor. What access do I have to their college information? Quick Guide: Understanding FERPA. Once a student is enrolled in a college course, their records are protected under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). This means the student—not the parent—controls access to their academic information, regardless of age. (FERPA) Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Statement
Visit the DUAL CREDIT HELP CENTER for more resources.
Contact Information
Find your high school below to see your Dual Credit contact:
Dalhart, Channing, Texline, and Hartley
Christy Dovel
806-881-0312
Perryton, Spearman, Booker, Darrouzett, Follett, and Canadian
Karen Metzger
806-881-0306
Borger, Sanford-Fritch, West Texas, Gruver, Hereford, Pringle-Morse, Randall, Sunray, Dumas, and Felt
Kamron Britten
806-457-4275