Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment lets high school students take college classes while they're still enrolled in high school. The classes you take at the University of Alaska Fairbanks can count toward credit for both high school and college.

Taking college classes while still enrolled in high school can benefit you in many ways — including helping you enter college with more confidence. You can also save hundreds of dollars on tuition and graduate with your college degree sooner.

Each student has unique situations and learning styles. That’s why UAF offers three programs that can help you attend college during high school, no matter where you live in Alaska. These include:

• Alaska Advantage: For students who want to take University of Alaska Fairbanks online classes or cannot travel to campus.
• North Star College: For students who want a campus experience and can take in-person classes.
• AHEAD: For qualified students who want to be formally admitted to the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a general studies student.

While the Alaska Advantage program does not have a minimum GPA to participate, we find that most students have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher.

To be eligible for North Star College, you must be either a junior or a senior in high school through the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students are selected through a random lottery process.

To be eligible for formal acceptance into UAF through AHEAD, students must have completed three-fourths of their high school core curriculum and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher. (To qualify for federal financial aid, you must have either a high school diploma or a GED.)

The cost of dual enrollment varies with each program. Whichever option you choose, however, will save you time and money!

Students attending UAF through North Star College pay no tuition. The school district covers tuition, books and some fees for North Star College students.

Students enrolled in the Alaska Advantage program save almost 50% on tuition — paying just $165 per credit, as opposed to the normal $300 per credit.

Students in the AHEAD program pay the normal cost of tuition for their in-person college classes. They can also take Alaska Advantage courses to reduce their cost.

Dual-enrolled students are responsible for personal course equipment and supplies, such as lab coats, kits and art materials. Students can also pay to use other fee-based services on campus, such as on-campus parking or dining plans.

While both dual enrollment and advanced placement classes are college-level courses that high school students can take, the courses offered through UAF’s dual enrollment programs do not count as advanced placement.

Instead of classes specifically for high school students, the University of Alaska Fairbanks offers real college classes taught by experienced and helpful faculty.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers more than 100 General Education Requirement (GER) courses online for students in the Alaska Advantage program. GERs are required for bachelor’s, associate of arts and associate of science degrees. Check out the Alaska Advantage course list to see all the classes you can take.

Many students in the North Star College program take a mix of college- and high-school-level courses. Students who are selected to participate take placement exams to determine the appropriate math, science and English courses for them. All students are required to enroll in a one-credit support course each semester.

Students attending UAF through the AHEAD program  take classes to fulfill the general studies requirements  — including communication, arts, humanities, mathematics, social sciences and natural sciences.

Yes! The credits you earn in UAF’s dual enrollment programs are accepted at other institutions of higher education throughout the country. You’ll want to communicate with the school you’re asking to accept your credits to see how the credits will be counted.

Many courses require placement exams prior to course enrollment to determine student preparedness.

Some courses also require proctored exams or quizzes, which are detailed in the course syllabus. Teachers, a local library or school staff can serve as proctors. If this isn’t an option for you, we’ll help you identify an appropriate proctor. Family members and coaches cannot serve as proctors.

Yes! In addition to the Alaska Advantage, North Star College and AHEAD programs, UAF also offers:

• Classes offered through your high school (check with your school counselor for opportunities)
• Rural Alaska Honors Institute
• Summer youth programs