Choosing Credits
Assist students in choosing appropriate classes for credit and links to transfer requirements for Oregon Colleges.
Earning (or registering for) college credit in high school can have many benefits for students and their families. Research has shown that students who take college credit before they leave high school are likely to enroll in college and persist through their first year of college.
Here are some noteworthy reasons to engage in college credit before you leave high school:
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Get a head start on college courses.
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Build a college-going identity.
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Receive transfer credit.
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Potentially save time to degree.
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Potentially save money.
When students earn college credits in high school, please remind them to choose credits with a purpose. Beyond one or two classes, the added value of college credit is determined by the student's future career and academic goals. The credits benefit students most when they fit within their individual career and education plans.
Encourage students to:
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Actively research which careers may be of most interest to them and the required degree or certificate they may need to earn from a college or university to enter their intended career field.
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Seek out resources from their high school counselor or college & career services advisor. Teachers, counselors, and advisors will share materials that can help you approach this planning.
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Research the colleges they might attend, and ask them for guidance.
One barrier that a student may face when being granted a high number of college credits while in high school is the Federal Financial Aid 150% rule. This regulation applies to all students and is in place to help students stay on track to receiving their degree. Once a student has received 150% of the number of credits required to complete a degree then their financial aid is maxed out and no more federal loans are available. For example, if a student needs 60 credits hours to graduate and they have 90 credit hours (60 hrs. X 150 percent = 90 hrs.) their ability to receive financial aid may be terminated.
Students and families should be aware of this rule and attempt to seek credit opportunities that get students on track to a degree.
Students who are engaging in dual credit or college credit opportunities should be aware of the 90 credit rule within the Oregon Promise. Oregon Promise is a state grant that covers most tuition costs at any Oregon Community College for recent high school graduates and GED recipients who meet the eligibility requirements.
The 90-credit limit is a limit on the total number of college credits you have attempted to earn. Once you have attempted a total of 90 college credits, you are no longer eligible for Oregon Promise. All of the following types of credits count toward the 90 credit limit:
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College credits you take while in high school or as part of a high school completion program
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College credits you take during summer term*
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College credits you take at another college or university while dual-enrolled at a community college
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College credits for courses you withdraw from or fail
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Any other college credits you attempt or complete prior to and during your time as an Oregon Promise recipient.
*Oregon Promise does not pay for summer term courses.
Oregon PromiseAdditional Helpful Links
C3's Career Journey Maps are guides to help zoom in on a particular career area and learn about what classes may be helpful on that path.
Log in as a guest or create a portfolio to explore the resources of the University of Oregon's Career Information System to learn more about career paths.
Guidelines for how credits might transfer to postsecondary education with links to guidelines from Oregon colleges and universities.
For hands-on education on the pathway to some careers, explore your options with apprenticeships.