Early College is a partnership program between WVU Parkersburg and area schools, including homeschools, allowing eligible students to take college-level courses to earn both high school AND college credit for the courses, with their school’s permission.

Early College courses will transfer with students to colleges all over the country. WVU Parkersburg is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the same body that accredits public institutions of higher education in West Virginia. The General Studies and Course Equivalency Transfer Agreement exists among public West Virginia institutions which helps students who desire to transfer to another institution. Students planning to attend a private or out-of-state college should check with that individual college for more information on course transfers. Most states support programs like Early College because they help students graduate sooner with less debt.

Early College students have the opportunity to complete general education courses while earning their high school diploma. Depending on a student’s academic program, they may be able to complete a semester or even an entire year of college credit. By participating in Early College, there is a significant savings on future tuition costs due to the reduced rates.

Students interested in participating in the Early College program should reach out to their counselor or school administrator. Your counselor can provide you with information on the application process and other aspects of the program. There are deadlines for registering each semester. Feel free to reach out to WVU Parkersburg for further questions at earlycollege@wvup.edu.

Yes, homeschool students can and do participate in the Early College program. Homeschool students must meet the same requirements and follow the same steps as all other Early College students. The homeschool administrator is responsible for confirming the student’s GPA status for program participation.

The online Early College admission application must be completed for a student wanting to earn dual credit. You can complete the Early College Admission Application online or contact your high school counselor for assistance. You will need to know your Social Security Number to complete the application.

Early College students are not required to submit a high school transcript to meet admission requirements for this program. The counselor’s signature on their participation contract confirms the student’s eligibility for the program. Test scores may be required for certain courses.

Your high school principal.

FERPA is an acronym for The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment of 1974. FERPA is a federal law that describes how schools and colleges keep and/or distribute student information and records. Part of the law covers students under 18 and enrolled in public schools; the other part covers students enrolled in colleges and universities. The act was created to safeguard student privacy. FERPA rights belong to WVU Parkersburg students when they enroll as a college student. Because the student controls these rights, WVU Parkersburg will release a student’s educational records only with the consent of the student. Some examples of educational records include grade reports, transcripts and judicial reports. That means that, unlike in high school, parents will not have direct access to the above records without the student’s consent. Parents who wish to know their student’s grades must ask the student for that information. For more information about FERPA, please contact the Center for Student Services at 304-424-8310 or email records@wvup.edu.

Some Early College courses may be offered on your high school campus. If so, your counselor and the Early College Director will work together to help you with the registration process each semester. If you are attending Early College courses on the WVU Parkersburg campuses, please contact Tyler Hilbert at 304-424-8237 or thilbert@wvup.edu to set up an appointment.

Yes. After applying to WVU Parkersburg, you can find your ID number at findmyid.wvup.edu. This process will give you your WVUP ID Number, your Network ID, and your college email account. Early College students must learn how to access their Online Student Information System (OLSIS), Blackboard, and their email.

Students who attend Early College classes at their high school campus are not required to have a WVU Parkersburg issued photo ID, but are welcome to have one.

Early College students who wish to withdraw must submit a withdraw request through the Withdrawal Portal using their WVU Parkersburg username and password. Even if you change your schedule with your counselor at the high school, it is your responsibility to complete the withdraw process at WVU Parkersburg. There are financial penalties and deadlines related when withdrawing from a course that applies to all students.
Course withdrawals have a negative impact on students in their collegiate career. Potential problems could include poor academic standing or not meeting the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid eligibility.

Early College students are held accountable for their academic performance in the Early College program. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in their WVU Parkersburg courses is required for Early College students to continue in the program. Academic Standing is based on a student’s final grades, and there are three levels of academic standing: Good Standing, Academic Watch, and Academic Probation. Each academic standing indicates the academic progress and ensures success in the program.
Successfully completing courses and earning at least a 2.5 GPA are important as your performance in Early College courses impacts your eligibility for financial aid funding as a college student.

Yes! If you successfully complete the appropriate courses, you can apply to graduate. For more information, please contact earlycollege@wvup.edu.

Early College students are able to use the same services offered to our students, including the Library, Tutoring & Testing Center, Professional Advising Center and Career Services.

In the case of a delay or shift to remote learning due to inclement weather or power outages, WVU Parkersburg will notify students via a Rave Alert. Students are automatically registered for a Rave Alert with their WVU Parkersburg email address and the phone number provided on their application. Early College students need to check their college email and Blackboard for information as WVU Parkersburg does not follow any county school’s systems delays, closures, or shifts to remote learning.

Early College tuition is set at a flat rate of $50 per credit hour. Most courses are 3 credit hours, so it is $150 per course. There may be additional fees for some courses.

Paper bills are not distributed or mailed. Please contact the WVU Parkersburg Business Office during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) at 304-424-8223, for tuition deadlines and a complete breakdown of all charges. Early College students are held to the same standards and responsibilities regarding payment deadlines as all students attending WVU Parkersburg. You may receive a reminder notice for payment via USPS.

The Early College student is responsible for paying the cost of their Early College course(s). Please contact your counselor or principal to determine if your school district pays a portion of the tuition charges.

The deadlines for each semester can be found under Tuition and Fees at wvup.edu/tuition-fees/ or by contacting the WVU Parkersburg Business Office at 304-424-8223.

Please have the student’s WVU Parkersburg Student ID Number (usually starts with the number 9 and has a total of nine digits) or their social security number when making payment.

Early College scholarships are available to students who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship application must be complete and submitted to WVU Parkersburg by the deadline.

This form is provided to students who have made tuition payments during the prior calendar year which may be eligible to deduct from your taxes. Please consult with a tax professional for more information.

If you plan to attend WVU Parkersburg after you graduate from high school, including the summer term after high school graduation, you will need to complete a new admissions application. Please select the Admissions Application option, as you have graduated high school and will be considered a first-time freshman.

You will need to request an official transcript to be sent to the WVU Parkersburg Records Office from every college university where you earned college credit. Your high school transcript cannot be used to transfer any college credit.

To request an official transcript to be sent to another college or university, you will need to complete WVU Parkersburg’s transcript request form.

Yes, if you successfully complete one three-credit course, you are considered a WVU Parkersburg alum. For more information about joining the WVU Parkersburg Alumni Association, email alumni@wvup.edu.