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Dual Enrollmentfor High School Students in Michigan

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Earn College Credit in High School at Cornerstone University

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can earn accredited college credit through Cornerstone University’s affordable dual enrollment program. With community‑college‑level tuition and the added value of a Christian worldview, Cornerstone makes it easy for motivated students to enrich their high school academics, explore future majors, and get a significant head start on their college degree.

What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take real university courses and earn official college credit before graduating from high school. At Cornerstone University, students receive an accredited college transcript while continuing to meet high school graduation requirements. Students can choose from:

  • 100% online accelerated courses (7‑week format)
  • Traditional on‑campus classes (15‑week format)
  • Dual enrollment partnership options offered directly at participating high schools and homeschool co‑ops

Cornerstone’s dual enrollment program is designed for affordability, flexibility, and academic excellence, giving students a supportive pathway to succeed in high school and beyond.

What are the Benefits of Cornerstone University’s Dual Enrollment Program?

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Christ‑Centered Education: Learn in a Christ‑centered academic environment with professors who care deeply about your academic, spiritual, and personal growth.

Earn College Credit Early: Get a significant head start on your degree by completing real university coursework in high school.

College Preparation & Readiness: Build confidence and essential college‑level skills—such as time management, critical thinking, and academic writing. Experience learning platforms, syllabi, professor communication, and course expectations at Cornerstone University.

Save Money & Graduate Sooner: At $199 per credit hour, Cornerstone offers one of the most affordable dual enrollment tuition rates in Michigan. Many students reduce their future college course load or shorten time to graduation.

Explore Majors & Career Paths: Take introductory courses in business, psychology, science, ministry, communication, the arts, and more — helping clarify future academic direction.

Personalized Academic Support: Experience smaller class sizes and direct access to professors who provide individualized feedback and academic support.

Transferable Credits: Most dual enrollment credits may transfer to other colleges and universities, giving you flexibility as you shape your academic journey.

Who is Eligible for Dual Enrollment?

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to apply.

Michigan students may qualify for State of Michigan funding to cover dual enrollment tuition. Funding eligibility varies by school district. Students should consult their high school guidance counselor to confirm coverage or connect with Cornerstone University’s Admissions Office for personalized assistance.

Dual Enrollment Tuition and Michigan Funding: $199 per credit hour

Cornerstone University offers one of the most affordable dual enrollment tuition rates in Michigan at $199 per credit hour. Most three‑credit courses cost under $600, making high‑quality Christian higher education accessible to families and partner schools.

Many Michigan students may have dual enrollment tuition covered through state funding when approved by their high school. Cornerstone bills the high school directly once approval is secured.

If you have questions about withdrawing from a dual enrollment course, potential refund policies, or how funding applies after withdrawal deadlines, please reach out to Cornerstone University’s Financial Aid Office at 616.222.1424.

Course Formats and Registration

Cornerstone University offers a wide range of 100‑ and 200‑level college courses for dual enrollment students. You may register for up to two courses per semester, totaling a maximum of seven credit hours.

  • Online Accelerated Course Formats (7 weeks)
  • On-Campus Course Formats (15-week semester)

Once admitted, you’ll work with a dedicated Academic Advisor who will guide you through course selection and registration. Students from partner high schools may follow specialized registration procedures based on their school’s agreement with Cornerstone.

To explore available classes, visit the guest course catalog and discover which dual enrollment courses fit your academic goals.

How do I Apply for Dual Enrollment?

  1. Confirm Your Eligibility
    High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to apply for Cornerstone University’s dual enrollment program.
  2. Complete the Online Application
    Submit the Cornerstone University dual enrollment online application to start earning college credit while still in high school.
  3. Submit Your Official High School Transcript
    Ask your school to send your official high school transcript (showing a 3.0+ GPA) through one of the approved electronic services:
    • Parchment
    • Scoir
    • Naviance
    • National Student Clearinghouse

    Transcripts may also be mailed directly to:

    Cornerstone University
    Admissions Office
    1001 East Beltline Avenue NE
    Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525

Dual Enrollment High School and Home School Partnerships

Cornerstone University partners with high schools and homeschool co‑ops across Michigan and beyond to offer flexible dual enrollment pathways. Partnerships can be customized in several ways:

  • Online Dual Enrollment Partnerships
    Partner schools collaborate with Cornerstone to build a customized list of approved online courses students can take in an accelerated format.
  • On‑Site High School Partnerships
    Some partnerships deliver Cornerstone‑approved courses on the high school campus, taught by qualified high school instructors so students can earn college credit where they already attend classes.
  • On‑Campus Opportunities
    Students may also take traditional 15‑week courses at Cornerstone’s campus in Grand Rapids.

If your homeschool co‑op or high school is interested in partnering with Cornerstone University for dual enrollment, contact the Admissions Office to begin the conversation: admissions@cornerstone.edu.

Dual Enrollment FAQs

What are some tips for submitting my application?

Your application should be an honest and accurate reflection of your own high school work. Parents are welcome to review your application and assist you in gathering the required information and documentation, but all responses should come directly from you.

How do I choose my classes?

To choose your dual enrollment classes, start by looking through Cornerstone’s Guest Catalog to explore available options and find courses that fit your interests and goals. After that, schedule a conversation with your Cornerstone academic advisor—they’ll help you understand prerequisites, course sequencing, and which classes align best with your plans.

If you attend a partnership high school, you will talk with your high school counselor or program administrator to confirm which courses are approved and will be covered by the school.

How does billing the State of Michigan work for dual enrollment?

To receive State of Michigan funding for dual enrollment, every student— including homeschool students—must first get approval from their high school. Once that approval is on file, Cornerstone sends the bill directly to the school.

Students are responsible for confirming with their high school how much of their dual enrollment tuition will be covered. Please note that dual enrollment students are not eligible for federal or institutional financial aid.

What if I begin struggling with my Cornerstone class(es)?

If you find yourself having difficulty in a Cornerstone course, your parents, guidance counselor, or mentors can support you while you remain responsible for your own coursework. They can help in the following ways:

  • Review your syllabus and course expectations with you.
  • Help you gather any required materials for the class.
  • Encourage you to connect with classmates for support and collaboration.
  • Make sure you understand how to navigate the learning platforms used in your course.
  • Encourage you to reach out to your professor outside of class time if you have questions or need clarification.

What learning platform does Cornerstone use?

Brightspace is Cornerstone’s online learning management system, where you can access everything related to your courses. From Brightspace, you can:

  • Check your course progress.

Note: Our university policies are available for students to review in the Cornerstone University Student Handbook.

Will I receive a Cornerstone transcript?

Yes. At the end of each semester, Cornerstone will send your official CU grades and transcript directly to your high school. If you need additional copies for any reason, you can request them through the CU Registrar’s Office.

What is Cornerstone’s FERPA and Privacy Policy?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of your educational records. Under this federal law, Cornerstone must have your written consent before releasing information from your student record to anyone outside the university, except in specific circumstances allowed by FERPA. The university is permitted to share basic “directory information” unless you choose to restrict it.

If you want to give Cornerstone permission to release your information to someone else (such as a parent or guardian), you can contact the Registrar’s Office at 616.222.1431 or submit a request through the form on the Registrar’s webpage.

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