Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students experience many benefits by participating in Dual and Concurrent Enrollment. Students who take college courses while in high school get early exposure to college and learn how to be a successful college student. Students are also able to accumulate transferable college credits before they graduate high school, which can help them earn a college certificate or degree faster. Dual Enrollment courses are also 100% free for students, and Golden West College waives enrollment fees for Concurrent Enrollment students. So students are able to save a lot of money while earning credits that will transfer to UC and/or CSU campuses.

In addition, research from across the country has shown that Dual and Concurrent Enrollment provide many academic benefits to students. Students who participate in Dual Enrollment have higher high school GPAs and higher high school graduation rates. They are also more likely to enroll in college after high school and have a higher first year GPA in college than students who did not participate in Dual Enrollment. Students who take college courses while in high school also tend to have higher college retention and persistence rates. There is also research that shows high school students who participate in Dual Enrollment are ultimately 2.5 times more likely to graduate from college than those who did not take any college courses in high school.

In Dual Enrollment, students enroll in Golden West College courses offered as part of a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership agreement between the Coast Community College District and a local high school district. The classes are taught either at a local high school campus during school hours or on GWCs campus. Classes taught at a high school are restricted and are only open to students from a participating high school district. These courses are completely free for students. Enrollment fees and college-related fees are waived, and textbooks are paid for by the high school district. Students receive both high school and college credit for completing courses in the Dual Enrollment program.

In Concurrent Enrollment, students enroll in GWC courses that are not covered by a CCAP partnership agreement with a local high school district. The classes are taught either on GWCs campus or online. Enrollment fees are waived but college-related fees apply. Students are also responsible for the cost of any books and supplies. Students receive college credit for courses taken, but their high school will determine if they are able to receive dual credit towards their high school graduation requirements as well.

Any 9th 12th grade student who attends a high school covered by a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership agreement between the Coast Community College District and a local high school district may participate in Dual Enrollment. Students must have already completed 8th grade and be currently enrolled in high school. To enroll in a Dual Enrollment course, eligible students must complete the online Golden West College application and submit the Dual Enrollment Release Form that includes the signatures of their legal parent/guardian and high school principal, verifying they have permission to take the GWC course(s) listed on the form.

Yes, 9th-12th grade students who are home schooled may enroll in Golden West College courses through Concurrent Enrollment. However, they cannot participate in Dual Enrollment, since the Coast Community College District (CCCD) can only sign a CCAP partnership agreement with a public high school district.

In addition to the Special Part-Time High School Release Form, home schooled students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 who want to participate in Concurrent Enrollment must also submit a copy of their Private School Affidavit to Golden West College. Every person, firm, association, partnership, or corporation offering or conducting a full-time day or boarding school at the elementary or high school level must file an Affidavit (California Education Code Section 33190). The online form required annually of private schools, the California Private School Directory, and links to Frequently Asked Questions about private schools is available at the California Department of Education website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq

Courses offered in the Dual Enrollment program have been approved for students to receive both high school credit and college credit. Talk with your high school guidance counselor for more information about the number of high school credits you will receive by passing courses in the Dual Enrollment program and the graduation requirements or electives they satisfy.

In Concurrent Enrollment, students receive college credit for courses taken, but their high school will determine if they are able to receive dual credit towards their high school graduation requirements as well. We recommend talking with your high school guidance counselor to get more information about getting high school credit for passing GWC courses.

All high school students taking Golden West College courses through either Dual or Concurrent Enrollment will have their grades appear on their Golden West College transcript. A college transcript is permanent. GWC therefore advises students to take these courses seriously, attend class regularly, and complete all required coursework. Students are also advised to pay close attention to key dates for all courses they are enrolled in. Dropping a class after the posted Census date will result in a withdrawal (W) grade on their transcript. More information on grading policies and deadlines can be found on the GWC student rights and policies page here.

Dual enrollment students may take up to 15 units during Fall and Spring terms (a maximum of 4 GWC courses per term), and up to 9 units in Summer.

Concurrently enrolled students may take up to 11 units during Fall and Spring terms, and up to 9 units in Summer.

Dual Enrollment students may take any of the courses offered through the Dual Enrollment program for that term.

Concurrently enrolled students may take any courses offered at Golden West College for that term. You may view the GWC class schedule here. In both cases, if the course has a prerequisite, students must meet that prerequisite in order to enroll. Students who want to receive clearance to take a course with a prerequisite can submit transcripts and evidence of having fulfilled prerequisite requirements here.

Dual Enrollment classes are taught either at a local high school campus during school hours or on GWCs campus. Check out our upcoming terms class schedule to see which courses we will be offering and where they will be hosted.

There are no costs for Dual Enrollment students. All enrollment fees and campus-based fees are waived, and the high school district has agreed to cover the cost of any books and supplies needed.

If a high school student chooses to take GWC classes through Concurrent Enrollment, the per-unit enrollment fees for the course are waived. However, students in the Concurrent Enrollment program are responsible for the cost of textbooks, any course-related supplies, and the following college-related fees:

College service fee ($20) Student health fee ($21) Student representation fee ($2) Total: $43/semester.

*Fees are subject to change see the most updated fee schedule online at Golden West Colleges Admissions and Records office here.

Concurrently enrolled students are permitted to enroll in online courses as long as they meet the course prerequisites. Note that students who take online classes are responsible for paying all college-related fees in addition to the costs of textbooks and any course-related supplies.

Only students attending a public high school in a district that has a CCAP agreement in place with the Coast Community College District may enroll in Dual Enrollment courses. Each high school is also responsible for deciding which students may participate in Dual Enrollment and verifying they are able to be successful in college-level courses. Talk with your high school guidance counselor for more information about your high school districts policy regarding students enrolling in Dual Enrollment courses at another school in the same district.

Please see our How to Apply page for step-by-step instructions.

Golden West College can only grant high school students permission to enroll in the course(s) listed on the Dual Enrollment Release Form or the Special Part-Time High School Release Form. Students will not be able to enroll in any GWC courses aside from those listed. Therefore, GWC recommends that students list multiple courses they may be interested in taking on their release form in case their first choice is full.

Yes, high school students who want to take college courses at Golden West College must submit the Dual Enrollment Release Form or the Special Part-Time High School Release Form each semester. Students will only be able to enroll in GWC courses listed on the release form for the specified semester.

If a student wants to enroll in a course after a term has started, they will need to obtain an Add Code from the instructor. They will need to contact the instructor to ask permission to enroll in the class late. Students will still be responsible for all coursework and assignments. Golden West College therefore encourages all students to register for the courses they want to take early.

Students in the Dual Enrollment program can enroll after the term has started by submitting an Add Permit form with their instructors signature. Students who have questions should talk to the course instructor or their high school guidance counselor.

Students will need to log on to their MyGWC account to drop a course. The Add/Drop a Course link can be found on the Registration tab of the students MyGWC account. Students should pay close attention to the key dates each term. Dropping a class after the posted Census date will result in a withdrawal (W) grade on their transcript. More information on grading policies and deadlines can be found on the GWC student rights and policies page here.