College Credit Plus (CCP) is Ohio’s dual enrollment program that lets students in grades 7 through 12 take college courses and earn both high school and college credit at the same time. The program covers tuition and textbook costs for students attending Ohio public schools, making it one of the most accessible ways for younger students to get a head start on a college degree.
How College Credit Plus Works
Through CCP, eligible students enroll in actual college courses offered by Ohio community colleges and universities. These aren’t watered-down versions of college classes. They carry the same weight on a college transcript as courses taken by traditional college students. A student who earns a B in an English composition course through CCP has the same college credit as someone who took that course as a full-time college freshman.
Students can take CCP courses in several formats. Some are taught at the student’s high school by a credentialed instructor. Others are taken on a college campus, either in person or online. The flexibility means students in rural areas or smaller school districts can still participate, often through online sections offered by partnering colleges. Students can take as few as one course or, in some cases, carry a substantial college course load alongside their high school requirements.
Who Can Participate
Any student in grades 7 through 12 at an Ohio public school, private school, or homeschool setting is potentially eligible. The key requirement is demonstrating college readiness, which colleges typically assess through standardized test scores, placement exams, or other measures the institution uses for its incoming students. Each college sets its own admissions standards for CCP applicants, so the exact score thresholds vary depending on where you apply and which courses you want to take.
Younger students (grades 7 and 8) may face additional requirements or more selective screening, since colleges want to ensure middle schoolers are genuinely prepared for college-level work. Most CCP participation happens in grades 9 through 12, with juniors and seniors making up the largest share of enrollees.
Costs for Students and Families
The program’s design is to come at no or limited cost to students and their families. For public school students, the state funding that would normally follow the student to their school district is redirected to the college providing the course. This means public school students generally pay nothing for tuition, fees, or textbooks for CCP courses.
There is a catch, though. If a student earns a failing grade or withdraws from a course after the drop deadline, the student’s family may be responsible for repaying the cost. This is an important detail to understand before enrolling, since a single college course can cost hundreds of dollars. Students in private schools or homeschool settings may have different cost arrangements depending on the college and the funding structure involved, so checking directly with the participating institution is worthwhile.
How Credits Transfer
Credits earned through CCP are guaranteed to transfer among Ohio’s public colleges and universities. Ohio has a statewide transfer framework that ensures students receive equitable treatment when applying those credits toward admissions and degree requirements. If you take general education courses through CCP, such as English, math, or social sciences, those credits can fulfill the same requirements at any Ohio public institution you later attend.
Transferability gets less predictable outside of Ohio’s public system. Private colleges in Ohio and out-of-state universities set their own transfer policies. Many do accept CCP credits, especially for common general education courses, but it’s not guaranteed. If you have a specific college in mind, check its transfer credit policy before building your CCP course schedule around it. Taking courses that align with Ohio’s Transfer 36, a set of general education courses designed to transfer across the state’s public institutions, gives you the strongest assurance that your credits will count.
The Application Process
Participating in CCP requires submitting an Intent to Participate form to your school district by a deadline each spring, typically April 1 for the following school year. This form signals to your school that you plan to take college courses. Missing this deadline can limit your options, so marking it on your calendar well in advance matters.
After submitting your intent, you’ll apply to the college where you want to take courses. This involves meeting that school’s admissions requirements, which usually means taking a placement exam or submitting qualifying test scores. Your high school counselor and the college’s CCP coordinator can walk you through the specific steps, since the process varies somewhat from one institution to another. Counseling sessions are part of the process as well, helping students and parents understand the expectations, workload, and implications of taking college courses while still in high school.
What Counts on Your Transcripts
Every CCP course appears on both your high school transcript and your college transcript. On the high school side, colleges courses typically carry weighted GPA credit similar to AP or honors courses, though exact weighting policies vary by school district. On the college side, the course and grade become a permanent part of your college record. That’s a benefit when the grade is strong, but it also means a poor grade follows you into your college career.
CCP credits can fulfill high school graduation requirements as well. A college English course, for instance, can satisfy your high school English credit. Your school counselor can map out which CCP courses align with remaining graduation requirements so you’re making progress on both fronts simultaneously.
Is CCP Worth It
For students who are academically ready, CCP offers significant advantages. Completing even a semester’s worth of college courses in high school can save thousands of dollars in future tuition. Some students enter college with a full year of credits already completed, potentially graduating early or freeing up room for a double major, study abroad, or internships.
The program works best for students who are self-motivated and comfortable with college-level expectations. College courses move faster, require more independent work, and offer less hand-holding than most high school classes. Students who thrive in structured environments with daily check-ins may find the adjustment challenging. Starting with one course is a low-risk way to test whether the format works for you before committing to a heavier load.
It’s also worth thinking strategically about which courses to take. General education requirements like introductory math, English composition, and introductory social sciences are the safest bets for transferability and cost savings. Highly specialized courses may not transfer as cleanly or may not align with your eventual major.