CCP

The College Credit Plus Program (CCP) at Kent State University is designed to provide qualified 7th- through 12th-grade students with the opportunity to enhance their high school education with a true college experience.

Students accepted to the CCP program typically select courses from the Kent State University’s Kent Core Requirements. They may take as few as one course in a semester or a maximum of 30 semester credit hours per academic year.

Applications and Deadlines: 

  • Spring 2024: October 15
  • Summer 2024: April 15
  • Fall 2024: June 1

Go to Online Application  CCP Permission Form

What is College Credit Plus (CCP)?

College Credit Plus gives qualified students the opportunity to earn college credit before their high school graduation. The purpose of this program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready students in grades 7-12. Your high school may have an agreement with a local college for specific courses. However, you can take College Credit Plus classes at any public college that offers a course that would benefit your future. Access the College Credit Plus Overview provided by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

What are the Benefits of College Credit Plus?

Students participating in College Credit Plus will:

  • Earn high school and college credit simultaneously – Courses taken through the College Credit Plus program count for both high school and college credit
  • Save time and money – College Credit Plus provides an opportunity for students to get a head start on their college education by earning college credit early. These credits can be applied toward future college graduation requirements. And here’s the best part… College Credit Plus classes are FREE to participating students. This means there’s no cost for tuition, books, or fees!
  • Expanded course offerings – College Credit Plus students may take any Kent State University course available so long as they meet prerequisites. This includes our extensive online catalog of courses. 

Visit the Ohio Department of Education Website for More Information and FAQs

College Credit Plus Information Sessions

Students and parents interested in College Credit Plus (CCP) should attend an information session to learn more about the program. Information sessions typically describe the program and explore high school and university policies for application, admission, and course selection. If your high school is offering a session, do your best to attend. If not, or if you’d like more information about CCP at Kent State East Liverpool or Kent State Salem, please use the contact information below.

QUESTIONS?

Salem Contact: Kristin Toothman  |  330-337-4226 | ktoothma@kent.edu

East Liverpool Contact: Donald Bean |  330-382-7414 | dbean3@kent.edu

 

 

Before You Apply

If you are interested in Kent State University’s College Credit Plus program, you should discuss these items with both your school counselor and your parents prior to applying for admission. It is important that you have a good understanding of your school district’s policies, as well as the policies of the college you choose to attend.

* The subject matter of a course enrolled in under the college credit plus program may include mature subject matter or materials, including those of a graphic, explicit, violent, or sexual nature, that will not be modified based upon college credit plus enrollee participation regardless of where course instruction occurs.


DISCUSS WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR

  • What classes do I still need in order to graduate from middle/high school? What college courses can I take to fulfill these middle/high school requirements?

  • How does my middle/high school define full-time enrollment? How many classes between the middle/high school and the college must I take to be eligible for sports?

  • For what reasons would I have to reimburse my middle/high school for the cost of my College Credit Plus courses?

  • What are my options for meeting my middle/high school requirements if I fail a College Credit Plus course?

  • Do you believe I am ready for the academic and social challenges of college-level courses? What do you recommend as an appropriate number of college courses for me?

HOME SCHOOL AND NON PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Home school and nonpublic school students are welcome to participate in College Credit Plus!

DISCUSS WITH YOUR PARENTS & FAMILY

  • How will I get to and from campus, especially when the weather is bad?

  • Can I take classes earlier or later than normal school hours?

  • Will I be working or participating in extracurricular activities, and will I have time for the more rigorous demands of college-level courses?

  • Am I ready to accept the responsibility and independence that the college classroom demands? Will I participate actively in class and attend regularly?

  • Do I possess the necessary social and emotional maturity and are ready to accept responsibility and independence that a college classroom demands?

  • Am I prepared to keep my family informed of my academic progress since the university will not do that for me?

  • Am I comfortable with the impact my College Credit Plus grades will have on my middle/high school grade point average, future scholarship opportunities and college admission? Am I comfortable with the grades I earn as a College Credit Plus student being used to determine admission into selective or competitive majors?

  • How will I pay for failed or withdrawn classes?

  • If I am concerned about transferring College Credit Plus credits to another university, when should I contact or visit that university to discuss transfer?

  • Do I understand the college credit hours I earn now will be taken into consideration when determining my academic progress and eligibility for federal financial aid programs?

  • Do I understand that the subject matter of a course enrolled in under the College Credit Plus program may include mature subject matter or materials, including those of a graphic, explicit, violent, or sexual nature, that will not be modified based upon College Credit Plus enrollee participation regardless of where course instruction occurs?

  • Do I possess the social and emotional maturity necessary to engage in classes designed for and attended by adult students?

  • Am I comfortable with the “academic freedom” granted to college professors to choose course materials, create their own grading scale, establish classroom policies, etc.?
     


ENROLLMENT OPTIONS:

  • On campus

  • Online

  • At your high school

See Participating High Schools


APPLY NOW

DEADLINES FOR CCP APPLICATION

(ALL CAMPUSES)

Term Deadline
Summer April 15
Fall June 1
Spring October 15

Admissions Process

ADMISSIONS STANDARDS

Students seeking admission into the College Credit Plus program must first demonstrate college readiness by meeting the College Credit Plus Eligibility Standards. Once a student is CCP eligible they then must meet Kent State’s admissions standards. Kent State University at East Liverpool and Salem determine college readiness in part by using high school grade point average, ACT, SAT, and/or ACCUPLACER scores.

Students who wish to take courses in mathematics or take courses that have a mathematics prerequisite will also be required to meet the university’s math placement criteria.

New Students

APPLY

1.  Notify your school district that you intend to participate in the program by completing the Intent to Participate Form by April 1 even If you think you may not participate or wait until the spring semester to attend. Home school or nonpublic school students will notify the Ohio Department of Higher Education of their intent to participate. Complete the online College Credit Plus Application. This application will close at the application deadline.

Important Information for Applicants:

  • There is no paper application for CCP students.
  • Do not use the general application intended for new freshmen, transfer and guest students.
  • There is no application fee for CCP. If the application you are using requests payment, you have chosen the wrong application.
  • Your application will not be processed unless you provide an accurate social security number when submitting your online application.
  • Be sure to print and submit the additional required Permission form, and request your high school transcript be sent to the Kent State University campus you applied to attend.
  • IMPORTANT: Do not use your school email address on your application. Use your personal email address.

 2.  In addition to the online application, submit the following:

  • College Credit Plus Permission Form
  • High School Transcript
  • ACT/SAT Scores
  • Students with a cumulative, non-weighted high school grade point average of 3.00 or better will be considered college ready for the 2022-2023 school year. Students with a cumulative, non-weighted high school grade point average between 2.75-2.99 may be eligible for the program if they have A’s and B’s in relevant coursework (English, math, science, and social studies). Students who do not meet this requirement will need to demonstrate college readiness with a passing standardized test score.  Such students should submit any ACT or SAT scores they have. Kent State will provide the ACCUPLACER assessment free of charge to students without an ACT or SAT score. Students who have not taken the ACT or SAT must score “college ready” on the college placement tests (ACCUPLACER and ALEKS if necessary) as currently defined by Kent State University. Kent State will provide the ACCUPLACER assessment free of charge.

Returning Students

Current Students

Returning College Credit Plus students do not need to reapply. Instead, check your Kent State email for a message from East Liverpool or Salem CCP Admissions. This email will ask you to confirm your current school district, graduation year, and if you plan to attend the College Credit Plus program.

All Students

You will be contacted regarding next steps once the required application materials are received. 

These items must be received on or before the application deadline!

Application materials may be mailed to:

Admissions Office, Kent State University at East Liverpool, 400 E. 4th Street, East Liverpool, OH 43920

Admissions Office, Kent State University at Salem, 2491 St. Rt. 45 South, Salem, OH 44460

ALLOWABLE COURSES

 

“FIRST 15” RULE: STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE 15 CREDIT HOURS IN LEVEL I BEFORE PROGRESSING TO LEVEL II*

* All students must meet prerequisites for any course for which they wish to register.

 

Level I Courses

Level II Courses

  • Any other college course that is not a Level I course

Non-Allowable Courses

  • One-on-one private instruction course
  • Course with fees that exceed amount set by Chancellor
  • Study abroad courses
  • Physical education courses
  • P/F or S/U grades (unless the course is an internship or is a transferable course for all students enrolled)

Parents

The subject matter of a course enrolled in under the college credit plus program may include mature subject matter or materials, including those of a graphic, explicit, violent, or sexual nature, that will not be modified based upon college credit plus enrollee participation regardless of where course instruction occurs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the College Credit Plus (CCP) program and who can participate?

The College Credit Plus program is designed to allow college-ready students, grades 7-12 who qualify for college admission, the opportunity to earn middle/high school and college credit. College Credit Plus can include courses offered on a college campus, online or at the middle/high school for which credit is awarded from the college. Knowing that college readiness is a requirement, Kent State requires all students interested in College Credit Plus to demonstrate college readiness. Students will need to demonstrated college readiness. Students who do not meet this requirement will need to demonstrate college readiness with a passing standardized test score. Such students should submit any ACT or SAT scores they have. Kent State will provide the ACCUPLACER assessment free of charge to students without an ACT or SAT score.

Who pays for College Credit Plus students' tuition and books?

The middle/high school and college share the costs according to a formula established by the State of Ohio or a negotiated agreement. Students who withdraw from or fail classes, fail to return books, or return items in a damaged condition may be responsible for the associated costs. Homeschooled students are required to pay for their own books.

What and how many classes can a College Credit Plus student take at Kent State?

Students can generally take any class at Kent State for which they meet the prerequisites and/or placement criteria. Careful coordination with the middle/high school counselor is necessary in order to be sure all middle/high school requirements are being fulfilled. Admitted students will meet with their College Credit Plus advisor to select and register for classes and should do so in consultation with their middle/high school counselor.

How are College Credit Plus classes different from traditional college classes?

Students participating in this program can anticipate the same level of course content, rigor and expectations as found in a regular college-level class. This is true regardless of whether the course is delivered online, on the college campus, or at the middle/high school. Students should carefully consider whether they possess the academic ability, social and emotional maturity necessary to succeed in college-level courses, and willingness to participate in classes with students and professors of varying ages and backgrounds.

Do classes taken as a College Credit Plus student apply to degrees at Kent State University and/or transfer to other colleges?

Credits earned as a College Credit Plus student apply to Kent State University degree programs and will transfer to other colleges just as they would for a traditionally-enrolled student. Kent State students are subject to the degree requirements that are in effect when they enroll as a new freshman. Many entry-level courses earned at an Ohio public college are guaranteed to transfer to any other Ohio public college. Credits earned at private colleges, or those that you want to transfer to an out-of-state institution, will be evaluated by the institution you are planning to attend. Check with the college you are planning to attend to see how your College Credit Plus courses transfer. Utilize the tools available on the Ohio Transfer to Degree Guarantee website to see how your courses transfer to other Ohio public colleges and universities.

Are college classes being offered at my middle/high school or on a Kent State campus?

College Credit Plus students at Kent State take a variety of courses in-person, online, or on the high school campus

Can home school or nonpublic school students participate in College Credit Plus?

Home school and nonpublic school students are welcome to participate in College Credit Plus. It is important to review the specific procedures for these students set by the Ohio Department of Education.

When should CCP applicants expect to hear about their admission decision?

Students who have a complete application can expect to hear their admission decision within to weeks of the decision having been processed

Log in to the admissions application portal to check your application status