Welcome to Austin Community College (ACC)! We are excited to support homeschool students and their families in exploring the valuable opportunity to earn dual credit, jumpstarting college careers while still in high school.
Our program is designed to integrate seamlessly with your homeschool plan, offering a chance to save money, explore interests, and gain essential college-level skills within a supportive environment.
Why Choose ACC Dual Credit?
- Cost Savings: For eligible students residing in the ACC Service Area, tuition and general fees for eligible dual credit courses are waived for up to 60 credit hours. Students are responsible only for textbooks and materials.
- Transferability: Credits are highly transferable to most public colleges and universities in Texas, providing a smooth pathway to your student’s future institution.
- Academic Preparation: Students gain exposure to college-level rigor and expectations, building self-motivation, time management, and study skills with access to comprehensive college resources like free tutoring and academic coaching.
- Flexibility: Classes are offered online, at various ACC campuses, or in a hybrid format, allowing for flexible scheduling that fits your family’s needs.
Getting Started
We require homeschool students to follow a specific process to enroll in classes and work with a dedicated liaison.
You can begin to follow the steps on this High School Programs Enrollment Guidebook, this includes important dates and step-by-step instructions for high school students to enroll in ACC dual credit courses. It also includes ACC ID and ACC email activation, registration instructions, and eligible college readiness scores.
- Connect with Your Liaison: Email your assigned Enrollment and Partnership Liaison from your student’s new ACC email address. The liaison is assigned based on the public high school your student would attend if they were not homeschooled.
- Submit Required Documents: Your liaison will provide specific instructions for submitting the necessary forms, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is required for all new homeschool students. **This must be completed before registering for classes**
For more detailed information, please explore the official ACC Dual Credit website or contact the High School Programs office at [email protected] or (512) 223-7066.
We look forward to welcoming you to the ACC community and supporting your student’s educational journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Onboarding
I’ve submitted my ACC application, but cannot register for classes. What’s next?
Homeschool students must complete all registration steps as listed above (See “Getting Started”). Please reach out to your Enrollment & Partnerships (E&P) coordinator for more assistance.
What costs are associated with dual credit courses for homeschool students?
Tuition is covered by dual credit waivers, but you may be billed for required textbooks and other materials.
Courses that are not Core Curriculum, language, or workforce related will require full tuition. Developmental and co-requisite courses are not covered by dual credit fee waivers.
If you have specific billing concerns, please reach out to your Enrollment & Partnerships (E&P) coordinator.
Does ACC have accommodations for students with disabilities?
Yes, ACC’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) department processes and advises students seeking accommodations due to disabilities. You can reach out to SAS with or without documentation of your disability and they can help you from there.
Can homeschool parents talk to ACC advisors? Professors? Other staff?
Advisors: As homeschool parents serve as their student’s high school administrators, they are welcome to coordinate with their student’s Academic Success (AS) and Enrollment & Partnerships (E&P) coordinators for logistical concerns. However, we highly encourage students to lead communications to these coordinators as much as possible to model communication post-high school.
Professors: Professors will not communicate directly with parents regarding grades or other course concerns. Students should reach out directly to their professors about these topics and may ask their Academic Success (AS) coordinator for assistance with communication.
Other ACC Staff: Students should reach out directly to other ACC supports through their ACC email or in-person.
Course Selection and Degree Planning
How many courses can I take each semester?
We do not encourage students to take more than 2-3 courses their first semester of dual credit. Please discuss course load with your Academic Success (AS) coordinator for future semesters.
Can you help me plan my student’s high school completion?
We cannot advise on high school completion. Please refer to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for requirements and more homeschool information.
I don’t know what math class to take, how do I figure this out?
Math course selection is highly dependent on a student’s individual goals such as future career/degree interests, transfer requirements, and more. We recommend students reach out directly to their Academic Success (AS) coordinator for more guidance.
What does it mean to be “core complete”? Why is that important?
The 42 semester credit hours core curriculum has been adopted to provide a solid foundation of a college education and to facilitate transfer between colleges and universities. By completing 42 credit hours of core curriculum courses as part of your transfer degree or by taking 15 credit hours of general education courses as part of your AAS program, you achieve college-level competence in general education skills that are fundamental to all disciplines of learning. See the Core Curriculum Course List section of this catalog for specific courses in each subject area.
How do I make sure the classes I take will be accepted by a university I am interested in attending?
We highly recommend you check each university’s website on transfer credit equivalency and transfer resources. ACC’s Transfer Services also has a transfer guides page for your reference.
Is it possible for me to earn an Associate’s degree as a homeschool student?
You may be able to complete an Associate’s degree as a homeschooled student, but it highly depends on when you start taking dual credit courses. Talk to your Academic Success (AS) coordinator for guidance.
Registration Holds
I have an AR7 hold on my account and cannot register, who do I talk to?
For AR7 holds, reach out to your Enrollment & Partnerships (E&P) coordinator. You will need to complete their Google Form in order to get your courses approved. You will receive this hold every semester while you are a dual credit student to ensure you get your courses approved before registration.
I have a WRN, PBN, or SPN academic hold on my account and cannot register, who do I talk to?
For WRN, PBN, SPN academic holds, reach out to your Academic Success (AS) coordinator. You will need to meet with your coordinator in order to get your hold removed. You are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements (2.0 GPA and/or 67% completion rate). For more information about SAP, please refer to the High School Programs Orientation.
I have an HSM hold on my account and cannot register, who do I talk to?
For HSM holds, reach out to your Enrollment & Partnerships (E&P) coordinator. You will need to complete the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Clubs and Organizations
Can I join a student club, organization, or sports team while in Dual Credit?
Yes! You are an ACC student and are welcome to join any of these groups while you are a student. Visit the Student Life website to join or create a student organization.
Does ACC have a club for homeschool students?
Yes! Students can join ACC’s Homeschool Student Organization by visiting their page on ACC’s Student Life website.
ACC Support Team
What does an Enrollment & Partnerships (E&P) coordinator do?
Enrollment and Partnerships (E&P) can help with the following:
- Enrollment and registration support at an ACC campus or online
- New student pre-enrollment advising
- Campus tours
- Introduction to your Academic Success (AS) coordinator.
What does an Academic Success (AS) coordinator do?
Academic Success (AS) coordinators can help your homeschooler with the following concerns:
- Navigating the Core Curriculum and ACC degree plans
- Understanding course prerequisites and other requirements
- Connecting to ACC resources
They cannot help with:
- Determining high school graduation requirements
- Mental health counseling– ACC has resources available here