Early College Programs

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Take college courses now and get a jump on your future. Arkansas State University's Early College Programs help you earn credits while still in high school. You’ll also get full access to A-State’s campus services and support, making it easy to start strong and stay ahead.

College... early?

Get a head start on your education!
Apply Today!

Earn Credits. Access Campus Life.

Early College Programs help you earn credits now—and give you a real taste of college life. As an Early College student, you’ll have access to A-State’s top campus services. From tutoring and the library, to learning and support resources. It’s a smart way to get ahead—and feel at home at A-State before you even graduate.

There are study spots across the Arkansas State University campus.
$65

Per credit hour for Early College Programs saves you over $200 per credit on standard tuition.

90

College credits you can earn to get a jump start on college.

3 Years

(Or 6 semesters) is the average time saved through Early College Programs.

Support For Early College Instructors, Faculty Liaisons & Counselors

We’re here to support you in providing Early College courses. Access helpful resources, guidelines, and tools to make your job easier.
Instructor, Faculty Liaison & Counselor Resources

Choose Your Path to College Credit

Start earning college credit before graduation. Whether you want to explore a new interest, fast-track your degree, or get a feel for campus life, A-State offers flexible early college programs to help you reach your goals.
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Concurrent Enrollment

Earn high school and college credits at the same time. Take courses during your school day, taught by your high school teachers or A-State online faculty.
Homeschool students can get a jump on college, too. Take A-State courses online and start working toward your degree while continuing your homeschool education. 
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Scarlet Shirt Freshman

Be part of an exclusive group of freshmen gaining exposure to college life early. Take A-State courses on our Jonesboro campus or online courses taught by our A-State faculty. Tuition for courses will be covered at the concurrent rate ($65 per a credit hour).
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UpSkill Pathways

Register for specialized pathways that provide a focused and accelerated learning experience, allowing you to gain a total of nine (9) college credit hours. These pathways include Swift Coding or Game Production and Development. Reach out to your high school counselor or our offices for further information.

How to Apply

Ready to earn college credit early? If you’re in grades 9-12, here are a few ways to begin:

1. Talk to your high school guidance counselor about which program is right for you.
2. Homeschool students: connect with your local school to arrange a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)—this ensures your homeschool is recognized and allows you to enroll in college courses.
3. Explore your interests and think about which classes or pathways fit your goals.
Stay ahead of the pack by receiving early college credit.Students gather in the hallway of Valley View High School to celebrate their admission boxes from A-State

Get All the Details

Application & Requirements
Concurrent enrollment exposes high school students to college before they graduate.

Understanding Tuition & Payment

Get the details on tuition rates, payment options, and available funding for Early College Programs.
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College Credit for Less

Cost
Earning college credit doesn’t have to be expensive. Early College Program students pay just $65 per credit hour — that’s $195 for most 3-credit courses. It’s a smart, affordable way to get ahead and save big on your college education.
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Funding for State Residents

Tuition Assistance

Good news — many Arkansas students qualify for tuition coverage. While traditional financial aid isn’t available, the ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship can cover the cost of certain Early College courses. Check the course list to see if your classes are included.

Students huddle around a laptop in one of A-State’s many study spaces

Paying Made Easy

How to Pay
We make paying for your courses fast and easy. Just log in to myBill, A-State’s secure online payment system, to view your balance and complete your payment.

Managing Your Registration

Activating your account is easy, it can even be done on your phone.

Access Your Student E-Mail

Before you can register, you’ll need to access your A-State student e-mail. Follow these steps to reset your password:

You are now Ready to access Pack Portal and explore A-State's one-stop shop for everything you need as a new Red Wolf!

An A-State student enters an academic building for class.

Choose Your Courses

Find the courses that fit your goals using the Course Tool. Here, you can:

  • Select your high school and term
  • Browse available Early College classes
  • View course details to help you decide
A-State’s student portal makes registering for class an easy process.

Register for Courses

Once you’ve chosen your courses: 

  • Talk with your high school counselor to confirm your selections.
  • Your counselor will help you complete the registration process.
  • Need help? You can also reach out to the Early College Programs office at cep@astate.edu. 
A-State students can drop a course that isn’t a good fit for them.

Drop a Course

Need to drop a class?

  • Speak with your high school counselor first.
  • Then complete the Drop Form.
  • Return it to your guidance counselor to return to the Early College Programs office.
Got Questions?

Connect With Us.

Contact A-State Early College Programs. From applications to enrollment, and everything in between, we’re here to help. 
Email Us
870-680-8365