Getting Started With College Credit Plus

CCP students take college-level courses and are expected to meet the same academic standards as other Kent State students. Before moving forward, think about whether you're ready to work independently, manage your time, keep track of deadlines and ask for help when you need it.

Consider how college courses will fit with your high school classes, activities, work and other responsibilities.

Make sure you and your family understand both the opportunities, impact and responsibilities of CCP before you apply, particularly around these topics.

Schedule and Transportation

• Can I take classes earlier or later than normal school hours?

• Will I have enough time for college-level coursework along with high school, work, sports and other activities?

• For students attending Kent Campus

  • How will I get to and from campus, including when the weather is bad?
  • Will I have time to park, get to class, return to my car and make it back to my home school, if necessary?

College-Level Expectations

• Am I ready for the responsibility and independence of a college classroom?

• Am I prepared to attend and participate regularly, manage my work and meet college-level expectations?

• Am I comfortable taking classes designed for and attended by adult students?

Course Content and Academic Freedom

• Do I understand that college courses may include mature, graphic, explicit, violent or sexual subject matter that will not be modified because CCP students are enrolled?

• Am I comfortable with college faculty choosing course materials, grading practices and classroom policies?

Grades and Academic Record

• Am I comfortable with the impact my CCP grades may have on my middle/high school GPA, future college admission and scholarship opportunities?

• Do I understand that CCP grades may also be considered for admission to selective or competitive majors?

• Do I understand that the college credit hours I earn now may be considered when determining academic progress and eligibility for federal financial aid?

Family Communication

• Am I prepared to keep my family informed about my academic progress, knowing that Kent State will communicate directly with me as the student?

Potential Costs

• Do we understand when my family could be responsible for the cost of a failed or withdrawn course? ____ this needs more clarity!

Using My Credits in the Future

• If I may attend another college or university after high school, have I checked how that institution would accept and apply my Kent State CCP credits?

Your school counselor can help you understand how College Credit Plus fits into your high school graduation requirements, schedule and future plans.

Talk with your counselor about:

• The courses you still need for high school graduation;

• Which college courses can meet those requirements;

• How many college courses are appropriate for you;

• How CCP will fit into your high school schedule;

• How grades and credits appear on your high school transcript;

• What happens if you fail or withdraw from a course; and

• Steps to complete your Letter of Intent. 

Students also need to follow Ohio requirements for notifying their school of their intent to participate in College Credit Plus by April 1 each year.

Ohio establishes eligibility requirements for College Credit Plus. You may be eligible if you meet one of the following:

• 3.0 or Higher GPA

  • You have a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.0.

• 2.75–2.99 GPA + Relevant Coursework

  • You have a cumulative unweighted high school GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 and earned an A or B in a relevant high school course.

• Qualifying Assessment Score

  • You earn a remediation-free score on an approved assessment.
  • Students without an established cumulative high school GPA may have an additional pathway to eligibility based on relevant high school coursework.

Not every student needs testing to establish CCP eligibility.

Depending on your GPA, previous coursework and the courses you plan to take, you may need an approved assessment such as Accuplacer.

Students planning to take mathematics or courses with a mathematics prerequisite may also need to complete Kent State's ALEKS mathematics placement assessment.

VIEW TESTING & PLACEMENT INFORMATION

Once you've determined that you're eligible for CCP, gather what you'll need to complete your Kent State application.

What You'll Need

• Kent State College Credit Plus Application for Admission
• College Credit Plus Permission Form
• Official middle or high school transcript
• Assessment scores, if required

Kent State's current admissions information confirms those four application requirements. Students with qualifying GPAs may not need test scores to establish eligibility.

TIP: Use a personal email address rather than your school email address when applying so you continue to have access to important communications. Kent State specifically instructs CCP applicants not to use their school email address.

How to Get Your Application Materials

Some of the materials you'll need are available through the application process, while others will come from your school.

• Your CCP Permission Form
  • You'll complete the College Credit Plus Permission Form with your parent or guardian. The form is available through your application portal.
  • The form includes important information about participating in CCP, including college-level course content and student responsibilities.
• Your Transcript or Grade Report
  •  Ask your school counselor to provide your official middle or high school transcript as part of your application.
• Assessment Scores, If Required
•  If assessment scores are required to establish your CCP eligibility, make sure they are submitted with your application materials.

When you're ready, complete the Kent State College Credit Plus application and submit all required application materials by the deadline.

These are Kent State's current CCP application deadlines for all campuses.

APPLY TO KENT STATE CCP

ELEMENT: Callout — Home-School & Nonpublic-School Students

Home-School or Nonpublic-School Student?

You'll also have steps to complete through the State of Ohio for CCP participation and funding. Because state requirements and deadlines are separate from Kent State's application process, be sure to complete both processes on time.

State of Ohio CCP funding information

Once you're admitted to Kent State College Credit Plus, you'll have a few more things to do before your first class. You'll complete orientation, meet with your academic advisor and register for classes.

Link label: Review your action items and next steps. 

LINK TO: After You're Admitted primary section.