Early College Credit
Expand your course options.
Steps to Take
- Learn more about the Early College Credit Program (ECCP) on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website.
- Talk with your high school counselor to see if the ECCP would be a good fit for you. Your counselor can consider how the class aligns with academic plans and evaluate whether you meet the prerequisites for taking a college-level class.
- Obtain an ECCP participation form from your high school counselor or from the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities website .
- Research course options in Beloit College’s course catalog and review the course schedule to find eligible courses before submitting the participation form to your school district. Contact the ECC Admissions Counselor if you have questions about which courses are appropriate.
- Submit your completed form to your school officials by March 1 for summer/fall semester courses or October 1 for spring semester.
- Forward your school-approved application with a copy of your official high school transcript to Beloit College Admissions, 700 College St. Beloit, WI 53511. Preferred deadlines are May 1 for fall semester, and November 1 for spring semester.
- After your application has been received by Beloit College, you will receive an email asking you to complete your Early College Credit Application. The process involves some additional demographic information and submitting a high school transcript.
Admission Criteria
Applicants to the Early College Credit program must demonstrate the ability to succeed in college-level courses at Beloit College, and have met the necessary course prerequisites. Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Class year, and rank, if available
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GPA
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Rigor of high school courses and level of study in college prep subjects
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SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores, if available
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Academic standing and disciplinary record
Students admitted to the ECC program at Beloit College will be offered an opportunity to register for the approved course, but enrollment is contingent upon space available in the course. Non-degree students register just before the start of the semester at Beloit College, after all degree-seeking students have completed registration. We cannot guarantee that a seat will be available or that a class will be offered at a time that aligns with your schedule.
ECC students may only take classes approved for non-degree students and are not eligible for courses such as private music lessons, special projects, Initiatives program seminars, summer courses, and study abroad.
Beloit College students typically enroll in four courses per semester, with three classes considered full-time enrollment. Due to the demands of high school and Beloit College classes, ECC students should only plan to take one course in their first semester of the program. With demonstrated success, students may be approved for more than one course in a semester.
For each semester you wish to take a course at Beloit College, you must complete all state and Beloit College Early College Credit application requirements. Your application for this program grants Beloit College permission to share information about your academic performance with your high school; this information may include your enrollment, attendance, and/or grades.
If you’re admitted to the ECC program, our faculty and staff will use their best judgement to help you register for a course at an appropriate level. You may be asked to take a placement test (especially for modern languages) or meet with an instructor. Courses with prerequisites may require you submit your high school transcript. Please also note that course offerings are determined by the needs of Beloit students studying in that program; departmental offerings can vary each semester, and class sizes are probably smaller and more intimate than you’re used to at your high school. While our degree-seeking students have registration priority, our staff will make every attempt to enroll you in an appropriate course.
Once enrolled in a course, be sure to pay close attention to add/drop dates, grading, and attendance policies. These are real college courses, so if you stop attending without formally dropping the course, you will have a failing grade on your permanent record at your high school and at Beloit College. Most dual enrollment participants are strong students; however, please note: ECC students are subject to the same cancellation policies and fees as outlined in the Beloit College course catalog . Within the first two weeks of classes, if you decide that a course is not right for you, you can withdraw without penalty. Students who fail or withdraw from a course may be expected to reimburse the high school district for courses not completed or passed.
You will be responsible for your own attendance record, keeping track of your own grade, and managing deadlines. Information about your performance in class will only be reported to your school or home in cases of extreme concern. If your school district is responsible for paying for your books and materials, you may be required to return these materials to them at the conclusion of the course. You are responsible for costs such as transportation, transcript fees, etc.
At the conclusion of your course, your grade will be available via the Portal. An unofficial transcript will be mailed to your home, and your official transcript will be sent to your high school. If you need additional transcripts sent to colleges and scholarship agencies, you are responsible for requesting them and paying for any associated costs.