Dual Enrollment at the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks
Starting college early is one of the best ways to ensure you succeed academically and professionally after high school. The University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks offers several programs to help you take your education to new heights, sooner.
Dual Enrollment FAQ
Are you a junior or senior in high school on track to graduate and looking to get a head start on college? The University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks makes the transition between high school and post-secondary education seamless through three dual enrollment programs designed to fit every student.
Learn more about how dual enrollment can help you save time and money as you earn college credit.
Dual enrollment lets high school ³ÉÈËӰƬ take college classes while they're still enrolled in high school. The classes you take at the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks can count toward credit for both high school and college.
Taking college classes while still enrolled in high school can benefit you in many ways — including helping you enter college with more confidence. You can also save hundreds of dollars on tuition and graduate with your college degree sooner.
Each student has unique situations and learning styles. That’s why UAF offers three programs that can help you attend college during high school, no matter where you live in ³ÉÈËӰƬ. These include:
- : For ³ÉÈËӰƬ who want to take University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks online classes or cannot travel to campus.
- North Star College: For ³ÉÈËӰƬ who want a campus experience and can take in-person classes.
- AHEAD: For qualified ³ÉÈËӰƬ who want to be formally admitted to the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks as a general studies student.
While the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage program does not have a minimum GPA to participate, we find that most ³ÉÈËӰƬ have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher.
To be eligible for North Star College, you must be either a junior or a senior in high school through the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students are selected through a random lottery process.
To be eligible for formal acceptance into UAF through AHEAD, ³ÉÈËӰƬ must have completed three-fourths of their high school core curriculum and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher. (To qualify for federal financial aid, you must have either a high school diploma or a GED.)
The cost of dual enrollment varies with each program. Whichever option you choose, however, will save you time and money!
Students attending UAF through North Star College pay no tuition. The school district covers tuition, books and some fees for North Star College ³ÉÈËӰƬ.
Students enrolled in the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage program save almost 50% on tuition — paying just $165 per credit, as opposed to the normal $300 per credit.
Students in the AHEAD program pay the normal cost of tuition for their in-person college classes. They can also take ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage courses to reduce their cost.
Dual-enrolled ³ÉÈËӰƬ are responsible for personal course equipment and supplies, such as lab coats, kits and art materials. Students can also pay to use other fee-based services on campus, such as on-campus parking or dining plans.
While both dual enrollment and advanced placement classes are college-level courses that high school ³ÉÈËӰƬ can take, the courses offered through UAF’s dual enrollment programs do not count as advanced placement.
Instead of classes specifically for high school ³ÉÈËӰƬ, the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks offers real college classes taught by experienced and helpful faculty.
The University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks offers more than 100 General Education Requirement (GER) courses online for ³ÉÈËӰƬ in the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage program. GERs are required for bachelor’s, associate of arts and associate of science degrees. Check out the to see all the classes you can take.
Many ³ÉÈËӰƬ in the North Star College program take a mix of college- and high-school-level courses. Students who are selected to participate take placement exams to determine the appropriate math, science and English courses for them. All ³ÉÈËӰƬ are required to enroll in a one-credit support course each semester.
Students attending UAF through the AHEAD program take classes to fulfill the — including communication, arts, humanities, mathematics, social sciences and natural sciences.
Yes! The credits you earn in UAF’s dual enrollment programs are accepted at other institutions of higher education throughout the country. You’ll want to communicate with the school you’re asking to accept your credits to see how the credits will be counted.
Many courses require placement exams prior to course enrollment to determine student preparedness.
Some courses also require , which are detailed in the course syllabus. Teachers, a local library or school staff can serve as proctors. If this isn’t an option for you, we’ll help you identify an appropriate proctor. Family members and coaches cannot serve as proctors.
Yes! In addition to the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage, North Star College and AHEAD programs, UAF also offers:
- Classes offered through your high school (check with your school counselor for opportunities)
- Rural ³ÉÈËӰƬ Honors Institute
- Summer youth programs
You can begin the AHEAD program once you’ve completed three-fourths of your high school core curriculum with a 3.0 grade point average or higher.
As an AHEAD student, you’ll take a full schedule of classes (12 credits is considered full-time) at UAF during your final year of high school. You’ll be admitted as a general studies student and start working on your General Education Requirements for college before high school graduation.
As a formally admitted University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks student, you’ll pay normal tuition costs for your classes. If you’re interested in taking online classes as a dual-enrolled student, consider the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage program for special pricing.
All current high school ³ÉÈËӰƬ are eligible for ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage. While we work with most ³ÉÈËӰƬ school districts, ³ÉÈËӰƬ in the rest of the United States are also eligible!
High school ³ÉÈËӰƬ looking to take classes online, or who can’t travel to the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks campus should consider joining the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage dual enrollment program.
³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage ³ÉÈËӰƬ receive special pricing, with course costs at only $165 per credit. This is a savings of more than 40%! Note that this does not include textbooks or other course materials.
Classes through the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Advantage program are completely asynchronous, meaning there isn’t a single meeting time or day. Instructors maintain weekly schedules to keep ³ÉÈËӰƬ on track for the semester's completion. Each class is fully taught by a university instructor.
Students taking science courses online can order a lab kit through the or directly through the vendor. The kit is safe for home use and has been designed specifically for UAF online courses.
You’ll work with your counselor and UAF advisor to create a schedule of college classes that works with your current high school schedule.
To be eligible for the North Star College program, you must be either a junior or a senior in high school at a Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD) school and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. However, each year North Star College only accepts up to 90 juniors and 90 seniors through .
As a student dual-enrolled in North Star College, you’ll have the support of a dedicated team of advisors, faculty mentors and peers. You’ll be part of a cohort of ³ÉÈËӰƬ and have your own dedicated space on the UAF Troth Yeddha’ campus to check in, study, or meet between classes. Each semester, in addition to your college classes, you’ll take a one-credit support class to learn about skills and strategies for success.
Yes! Dual-enrolled ³ÉÈËӰƬ can participate in most University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks activities with parental consent. This includes attendance at UAF academic, community and athletic events.
North Star College ³ÉÈËӰƬ are also eligible for many , with additional parental and University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Human Resources approval.