The 2021-22 school year is fast approaching, and students are starting to prepare for the upcoming year. Current sophomores (incoming juniors) are taking their next big step as most are starting to enroll in dual credit classes with Collin College for next school year. Students are expected to turn in their course request forms by March 2.

Students that want to take dual credit can apply at any point. Although students will still need to get permission from their counselor, they can begin the process and even register. When you go to the Collin College website, there is any easy way to understand the steps for enrollment. Make sure to visit with your parents, teachers and counselors before applying to make sure you have everything you need to start by the 2021-22 school year.

If students were unable to attend the dual credit meeting on Feb. 25, there is a link below that you can click to access this information.

Students will then be able to register and soon be able to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test. The TSI is not a pass or fail test, but a placement test so that college counselors and professors can evaluate your academic strengths and weaknesses. (This test is required for entrance to all public higher education institutions in Texas and only has to be passed once.)

Students must also remember to pick up a permission form from their counselors every semester before beginning dual credit.

If at any point students don’t know what to do or don’t know what questions to ask, the counselors have uploaded a registration overview PowerPoint.

According to the Collin County website, a $10 late fee will be assessed for students who wait until the first day of the term to register for the first time.

After students are all finished, they may begin preparing for the upcoming year. They can start buying the books they need for the dual credit courses they are taking. Collin College professors encourage students to buy their textbooks used or at a cheaper price. College can be an enormous expense but thanks to Melissa ISD, students are only required to pay for books they need, and a small fee for the TSI.

After students have begun the class next school year, they are given a two-week period to drop out for free. If students feel it’s in their best interest to drop the class and start it the next school year, they can. If you wait until after the two-week mark to drop, students will have to pay Collin for that course. Students will need to drop a class through their Cougar email.

You will receive your official Collin College email address and password once you have finished applying, usually within 3-5 business days.

Below are useful links that make taking Dual Credit a little easier:

• Incoming 10th-12th Grade: Registration Slideshow
• Steps to become a Freshman at Collin College| Application
• Permission Form (Apply before filling out permission form)
• Collin College Registration
• TSI (Texas Success Initiative)

For additional help, visit:

• Dual Credit Information: MelissaISD.org
• Dual Credit Students Q&A: Collin College
• Guidance & Counseling | MelissaISD.org