Early College Credit Program
High school students at public and private high schools in Wisconsin can earn college credit through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP). A student selected for the program may be permitted to enroll in a UW System institution, or an alternative private, non-profit institution of higher education (IHE) to take one or more courses for which the student may earn high school credit, post-secondary credit, or both. Under ECCP, the costs of the courses are shared among the school district or private school, the state, and in some cases the student's family. Students in grades 9-12 may be eligible to take courses during the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM:

• Talk with your high school counselor to see if it’s a good fit for you. They will consider how the class aligns with academic plans and whether you meet the prerequisite for taking a college level class.

• Request information from UW System campuses where you’d like to take classes

• Obtain an ECCP participation form from your high school counselor

• Submit your completed form by March 1 for summer/fall semester or October 1 for spring semester to your school officials.

• Apply to the campus where you’d like to take classes (meet all deadlines and their campus specific requirements)

• Submit high school transcripts along with any prerequisite documentation (AP scores)

• Enroll in your class

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Start College Now (formerly Youth Options)

Start College Now is a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) program that allows high school juniors and seniors enrolled in a public school district who are in good academic standing to take classes at Mid-State for both high school and college credit.

Interested students apply to their school district asking for approval to take one or more college courses each semester of their junior or senior year.

By approving the student to take college course(s), the school district will pay for the student's tuition and fee associated with the cost of the course(s).

How to get started with Start College Now:

• Note important deadlines for submitting your Start College Now application:

  • March 1 deadline for following fall semester start

  • October 1 deadline for following spring semester start

• Complete and submit the online Mid-State Start College Now application. (You will need to indicate your course number and term start date on the application.)

• Watch for an email confirmation from Mid-State letting you know that your application was successfully submitted. (Mid-State will also send all applications to the school district for approval.)

• Watch for an email from Mid-State informing you of your application approval status and next steps.