What You Need to Know About CCP
You may be wondering if College Credit Plus courses are a good fit for you. This page covers the benefits of CCP courses for students in middle and high school, and important information for parents and guardians of CCP students.
Jump To: Benefits of CCP Courses | Important Considerations | What Parents Need To Know | Frequently Asked Questions | Should you take College or AP Classes?
Benefits of CCP Courses
As you and your child start planning for college and beyond, CCP courses offer a valuable way to prepare for college and save money on college costs.
- College courses are offered at no cost to students, which can help them earn a college degree faster and with less debt.
- CCP students can take advantage of unique scholarships at Columbus State after high school, and Columbus State credits transfer easily for those planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- Columbus State offers more than 200 majors for students who plan to transfer and earn their bachelor's degree, or who plan to enter the workforce directly after earning their associate degree.
- Explore our academic programs and pathways. (link to programs page)
- With highly respected faculty and academic programs, and unparalleled student support, Columbus State is a trusted leader in online, blended and in-person education.
Important Considerations
Registering for college courses is not like taking high school classes – not even AP or honors classes (see the chart below for a side-by-side comparison on AP and college classes). CCP students are taking official college classes, so you’ll want to consider a few important things as you make your decision:
- Classes are college-level, the rigor and curriculum will be at a higher level than many high school classes. Columbus State provides free tutoring for CCP students at Columbus State locations or online. Check with your counselor to see if tutoring is available at your middle or high school.
- The grades you earn in a college courses are permanent grades on both your high school and college transcripts.
- Columbus State college courses and textbooks are provided at no cost to students attending public schools.
- Additional expenses, such as transportation costs for classes at a Columbus State location, will be the responsibility of the student.
- Course content may include mature subject matter that will not be modified based upon College Credit Plus enrollee participation regardless of where course instruction occurs.
- Students who fail and/or withdraw from course(s) after the 14th day of the semester may be billed by their school district for all tuition and fees associated with those courses. A student may withdraw from a class prior to the college’s withdrawal date and receive a “W” on the college transcript, which will not affect the college GPA.
What Parents Need To Know
As you talk with your student about taking CCP classes, please discuss the dedication and commitment it takes to succeed in college. There is a significant difference in high school and college expectations, pace, rigor, and required hours of study outside of the classroom. The grades students earn in a CCP course are permanent grades on both their high school and college transcripts.
CCP courses are not edited in any way for underage participants, so controversial and adult topics can be expected. Students and parents should expect coursework and discussion that engage and challenge students on topics that likely would not be broached in traditional secondary schools.
When your student accepts the rights and responsibilities of being a college student, your parental role will change too. As the parent of an underage CCP student, you may have the heartfelt desire to continue advocating for your student. We respectfully share that our work is with the student and the high school guidance counselor. You can support your child by helping them navigate the college system, but cannot take on their responsibilities as you may have in middle or high school.
Per the U.S. Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all students enrolled in a college or university, regardless of age, have the right to keep their information private and, without authorization, the college is prohibited from releasing this information to anyone other than the student. That means the college can only talk to the student about his/her personal and academic information. Click here for more information on FERPA.
Columbus State can share student information with the high school they are enrolled in. If the student is under 18, parents have the right to access any information held by the high school, including all information that is transferred from Columbus State to the high school.
Parents do not reach out to college faculty to discuss academic concerns. Students must talk to college professors themselves, as professors are also bound by FERPA. If parents believe their student is experiencing any type of academic distress, they should encourage the student to reach out their professor or their CCP advisor.
Students can grant parents Proxy Access to some of their information. Once the student is enrolled in Columbus State, they can log on to our CougarWeb system, choose "View/Add Proxy Access" and grant access to all personal information, or just the information they choose. It is important to note that Proxy Access does not include access to grades.
Parents are encouraged to sign up for our RAVE Moble Safety system to recieve text alerts of campus emergencies, including closings for inclement weather. Visit cscc.edu/rave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to CCP at Columbus State
The College will communicate with you throughout the admissions process to let you know your next steps. This will be done through email, using your new Columbus State email address that you will have after your acceptance into Columbus State. It is very important that you check the email address you provided to Columbus State on a regular basis.
Visit Dates & Deadlines for application, testing, and registration deadlines for CCP students. Allow 2-3 business days for processing of the college application before submitting ACT or SAT scores or completing the college placement tests.
Yes. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce mandates that all CCP students attend an orientation. CSCC strongly encourages all CCP students complete an orientation prior to the start of their first semester.
Online Orientation for CCP students
Students who plan on taking courses in their high school or online are encouraged to complete the online orientation. The online version of orientation is available throughout the academic year.
- Students must have completed placement testing or have submitted qualifying ACT/SAT scores prior to logging into the online orientation.
- To access the CCP online orientation, students must have their Columbus State username and password in order to log into the orientation site.
Taking Columbus State CCP Classes
YES! Students must have their Registration Request Form submitted and processed by the due dates: See College Credit Plus Dates & Deadlines
Students should not wait until registration deadlines to submit their registration requests. Students should have all registration forms completed and submitted prior to summer break for summer and autumn semesters and prior to winter break for spring semester. The longer a student waits to register, the less likely they are to get their preferred class times. Advisors cannot register students into full sections, even if the course is needed for HS graduation.
Your CCP advisor will notify you by email once your registration has been processed. This email will ask you to confirm your schedule on CougarWeb and will give you a detailed list of "next steps". If there is a problem with your registration, such as your course is full or you do not meet the course prerequisite, your CCP advisor will notify you via email. Your CCP advisor will try to assist you in finding alternative sections of a class if it is full.
No. The coursework remains the same as it would be in a non-CCP Columbus State class. The subject matter of a course in 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. To request information about a course syllabus, fill out the Mature Content Warning Syllabus Request form.
On-Campus/Online Sections: Students attending a partner highschool will be able to obtain required course materials for eligible on-campus/online CSCC courses using the "CCP Voucher" payment method at the Columbus State Bookstore at the start of each semester. Find out if you qualify to receive a voucher.
High School Sections: vouchers do not cover CCP courses hosted by your high school. High school section course materials will be provided by your high school, so please contact your high school counselor and/or instructor if you have not received anything by the first day of class or have questions.
No. Once the semester starts, students are not allowed to change classes or switch sections. Students can add flex term classes if the class has not started and there are open seats.
CCP students cannot drop a class online. Students must complete a Drop Form that must include a parent/guardian signature and high school counselor signature. Students should submit the completed CCP Drop Form to their Columbus State CCP Advisor (.XLSX) via email, or to ccp@cscc.edu.
Please refer to the academic calendar for important dates and deadlines specific to dropping a class.
Summer Semester ONLY: High school counselor signature is NOT required for the summer semester. Students should submit the completed Summer Drop Form to their Columbus State CCP Advisor (.XLSX), or to ccp@cscc.edu.
- In order to avoid a financial penalty, students must drop a class(es) prior to the drop with no financial penalty deadline. CCP withdrawal deadlines can be found on the Columbus State website under the academic calendar.
- If a student drops a class after the drop with no financial penalty deadline, the district can issue a bill to the student for repayment of funds. Repayment for dropped classes is at the discretion of the district.
- Columbus State has deadlines related to dropping courses and whether or not the dropped course will appear on the student's transcript. Students should check the academic calendar for college drop deadlines.
- Dropped courses are not reflected in a student's GPA.
- Dropped courses can impact a student's "Satisfactory Academic Progress" when applying for Financial Aid upon high school graduation.
Possibly. This will ultimately depend on other courses (both CCP and HS) a student still has on their record. All questions about HS attendance or athletic eligibility should be directed to their high school counselor or athletic director.
Students must pay for classes that exceed their credit hour limit. All College Credit Plus students, including home-school and non-public students, will receive funding limited to the number of eligible hours deemed appropriate by the state formula. That formula is located under Question number 13 below. You can also consult with your high school guidance counselor for more details on how many college courses you can take on an annual basis and overall before you graduate from high school.
All students are required to purchase the books for Developmental Education and pre-college
level classes.
The following courses are development education or pre-college level classes and are
not funded through College Credit Plus:
- BIO 0100
- CHEM 0100
- DEV 0114, 0135, 0140, 0145, 0151, 0152, and 0155
- ENGL 0190
- ESL 0159, 0165, 0168, 0169, 0170, 0177, 0178, 0179, 0188, and 0190
- MATH 1025, 1050, 1060, 1075, and 1099
- PHYS 0100
The Registration Form signed by you, your parent/guardian, and your high school counselor includes the maximum number of credit hours for which you are funded this year. If you want to take additional classes this year beyond your approved maximum credit hours, you will be responsible for the cost of those books as well as tuition.
For students taking college classes only (college classes in your HS):
Students who are taking college classes taught at their high school campuses will follow the same spring break as their high school.
For students taking college classes online or on a CSCC campus only:
Students who are taking college classes online or on a Columbus State campus (no HS classes) will follow the Columbus State spring break.
For students taking a college class in their high school and a college class online or on-campus:
Columbus State's spring break does not typically align with HS spring breaks. Students will be required to attend their Columbus State classes even if they are on spring break with their high school. This means that students who take both college classes in their high school and college classes online or on-campus do not get a spring break.
- Spring break vacations are not excused absences. If you are planning to miss classes due to a spring break trip, it is important to speak with your instructor ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES. If there are exams or assignments due during those absences, they may not be able to be made up. All late work submission and alternative test dates are at the discretion of the instructor. If work cannot be made up, students may need to drop the course.
For students taking College Credit Plus classes only (CCP classes in your HS):
Students who are taking CCP classes taught at their high school campuses will follow the same closures as their high school. This includes any weather closures, delays, or district-wide closures/holidays.
For students taking CCP classes online or on a CSCC campus only:
Students who are taking CCP classes online or on a CSCC campus only (no HS classes) will follow any CSCC closures/holidays. It is very rare for CSCC to have weather closures or delays.
For students taking a college class in their high school and a college class online or on-campus:
Students in this scenario will follow both their HS and Columbus State closures/holiday schedule. There will be times when a student's HS may have a weather delay or closure and Columbus State does not. Students will still be required to attend their Columbus State classes as scheduled even if their high school is closed. If Columbus State does have a weather delay or closure, students are notified via the RAVE Text Message Alert System.
It is very rare for Columbus State to have weather closures or delays.
Grades, Transcripts and More
Yes. Columbus State course grades will show on your high school transcript and will be computed into your Grade Point Average (GPA). College courses will be weighted in the same manner as Advanced Placement (AP) classes in your district, if your district weights AP courses. By taking courses at Columbus State, you are establishing a college transcript that will be part of your academic record throughout your educational career.
If a student has a documented disability, and wishes to utilize accommodations in a college class, it is the student's responsibility to get registered with Columbus State's Accessibility and Testing Department. Registration requires completion of two steps:
1) Submit documentation of disability. This can be a copy of the student's IEP and
ETR, or 504 Plan, or any other paperwork that explains the disability and its academic
impacts.
2) Meet with an Advocate for an intake appointment. This appointment takes about an
hour, and can take place at any Columbus State location of the student's chosing.
Accommodations for Placement Tests
If you plan to take your placement test at a Columbus State Testing Center (not at
your high school), and need accommodations other than extended time, it is very important
to send your documentation (IEP/ETR, 504 Plan, etc.) to Accessibility and Testing
(disability@cscc.edu) at least a week before you plan to take your tests.
If you are taking your placement tests at your high school, reach out to your Guidance
Counselor, Intervention Specialist, or College Credit Plus Coordinator for more information.
*Important: Once you place into college courses, you will need to schedule an intake appointment with your assigned Advocate to complete the registration process. Call 614-287-2570 to schedule this appointment.
Please review this document to understand the consequences of withdrawing from or failing a college class:
Academic Standing
Each semester that a student completes classes, they will receive an Academic Standing. If their GPA falls below college standards, it will result in one of the following academic standings:
- Academic Warning
- Academic Probation
- Dismissal
CCP students who fall below college standards will be notified by the college by an email to their Columbus State student email account. The email will direct students on their required next steps at the college. All students will be required to complete an Academic Recovery Plan and meet with their college advisor. Students will not be permitted to register for future classes until they have met with their college advisor. Students are required to meet with their advisor in person as part of this process.
Being on academic warning or academic probation is a very serious issue. College classes are the start of a student's official college record that will follow them to future institutions. This may affect a student's future admission to colleges and universities as well as future Financial Aid eligibility.
Academic Warning
Any CCP student who has a GPA below a 2.0 in their first semester at Columbus State are placed on Academic Warning. If a student fails a course, they should speak with their school counselor about any tuition repayment and/or high school graduation complications. Students may need to adjust their high school schedules due to their poor academic performance
Academic Probation
Any student who is beyond their first semester is placed on academic probation when their cumulative GPA is below the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students will be restricted from registering until they meet with their college advisor. A student who has been placed on academic probation will have 24 attempted credit hours (this includes withdrawals) in which to improve their cumulative to minimum standards. Students on Academic Probation will be required to make an Academic Recovery appointment with their college advisor.
- If a student fails a course, they should speak with their school counselor about any tuition repayment and/or high graduation complications
- Students may need to adjust their high schedules due to their poor academic performance
Academic Dismissal
A student will be Academically Dismissed from college if, after being placed on Academic Probation and registering for 24 additional credit hours, the student's cumulative GPA does not meet the Standards of Academic Progress. A student who is Academically Dismissed from the college will not be permitted to enroll the following semester. If a student is already registered for courses, those courses will be dropped by the college. Students may petition for readmission according to college procedure.
Because they are enrolled in college, CCP students must advocate for their own needs and work directly with faculty or College departments to resolve issues. Parents cannot contact the College or faculty to advocate for their student.
Per the U.S. Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all students enrolled in a college or university, regardless of age, have the right to keep their information private, and, in general, the college is prohibited from releasing this information to anyone other than the student. That means the college can only talk to the student about his/her personal and academic information. Click here for more information on FERPA.
Should you take College or AP Classes?
. | Columbus State College Courses | AP Courses |
Will I earn college credit for these courses? | Yes, with a passing grade of C or better | Requires an AP exam. A score of 4 is accepted for credit by most colleges/universities. All public colleges and universities in Ohio accept a score of 3 for college credit. |
Do these courses count toward high school graduation? | Yes | Yes |
Will these courses be accepted and transferrable to all Ohio public universities? | Yes. college credits taken through a public Ohio college or university will be accepted by any other public college or university, as required by Ohio Transfer to Degree Guarantee. | Yes, with an AP exam score of 3, as required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education |
Will these courses be accepted and transferrable to private colleges/universities in Ohio? | Credit acceptance is solely at the discretion of each individual private college or university. | Credit acceptance – as well as whether the AP exam score must be 3 or 4 for acceptance - is solely at the discretion of each individual private college or university. |
Does the grade received affect my college GPA? | Yes. The final grade received in the course will be on the student’s college transcript and will factor into their college GPA. The grade will also be on the student’s high school transcript and factored into their high school GPA | Final grade received in the course will be recorded only on high school transcript. AP exam score of 3.0 or higher that is accepted by a college or university will be on the recorded college transcript, but do not affect the student’s college GPA. |
Are these courses offered free of charge to students? | Students taking college courses through a public college or university do not have to pay for tuition for successfully completed eligible courses. Eligible Course Information | Courses are offered as part of high school curriculum with no additional charges. Students may choose whether or not to take the AP Exam at the end of the courses. AP Exam costs are covered by student/family. |
Who pays for textbooks? | Textbook information can be found by clicking here. | Textbooks are provided by the middle or high school as part of the high school curriculum with no additional charges. |
Who teaches these courses? | Columbus State faculty or high school faculty credentialed and trained to teach college-level courses. | High school faculty |