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Homeschool Students

 Lone Star College-Online Homeschool Dual Credit 

We want to provide you with all of the information you will need to start taking advantage of the dual credit opportunities we offer at Lone Star College-Online.  Please review this information before you begin the application process. 


Interested in learning about the LSC-Online Dual Credit Program?

 

 


Review the steps to start taking dual credit courses with LSC-Online!  

New Homeschool Dual Credit Student Checklist

  1. Complete the LSC Admissions Application through Apply Texas.
  2. Check your email for your LSC username and ID number. You will usually receive this within 24-48 hours of completing the application. Save this information! You will need it to complete the registration paperwork.
  3. Access myLoneStar. Create a password for your MyLoneStar account and log into your student portal at my.LoneStar.edu.
  4. Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity. The activity is found in your myLoneStar student checklist. (Skip this step if you have taken the SAT, ACT, or PSAT).
  5. Provide placement test scores and complete placement testing, as necessary (ACT, SAT, PSAT, and/ or TSIA2 Testing).
    • The testing fee is waived for all first-time dual credit testers. All first-time testers MUST take the full exam. Students can re-take sections of the exam for a small fee. Please visit our testing center website for more information.
    • TSI testing can be completed either via remote proctoring or in-person proctoring at a LSC campus. Remote proctoring has an additional fee of $25 per administration. Please visit our testing center website for instructions on signing up for remote and in-person testing.
  6. Review course options. Core curriculum, foreign language and most workforce courses qualify for dual credit. View a list of our currently approved  Dual Credit courses.
  7. Complete the following forms: Partnership Agreement (initiated via email from LSC after completion of online form), Graduation Plan Template, Homeschool Transcript Template, Course Approval and Parental Consent Form (Registration Form), and FERPA Form.
  8. Upload all necessary registration documents as a PDF and email the documents to the dual credit team at OL-DualCredit@LoneStar.edu.

  9. Pay for classes Once you have received confirmation of your registration your last step is to pay for your classes. Payment can be made online through https://my.lonestar.edu

 

Returning Homeschool Dual Credit Student Checklist

  1. Produce a Homeschool Transcript (must be typed and signed by Homeschool Admin.)
  2. Create a Graduation Plan containing a general outline of the required courses for high school graduation. (must be typed and signed by Homeschool Admin.)
  3. Complete a Dual Credit Course Approval and Parental Consent Form (Dual Credit Registration Form)
  4. Email all necessary registration documents to OL-DualCredit@LoneStar.edu 
  5. Once you have received confirmation of your registration our last step is to pay for your classes. Instructions for payment can be found HERE.

 

***DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SELF-REGISTER OR DROP.***


Dual Credit Frequently Asked Questions 

+ What is the difference between dual credit and college credit only courses?

Homeschool students make take Dual Credit courses that are within the Lone Star College core curriculum (with the exception of physical education courses), Career and Technical education courses (see an advisor for details), or foreign language.  Courses within the field of study of the following subject areas are also eligible: ACCT, BCIS, BUSI, COSC, CRIJ, ENGR and ENGT.

Any courses outside of the above listed parameters must be taken as college credit only.  These courses are not eligible for reduced tuition and should not be counted as high school credit on your homeschool transcript.

+ Which courses are eligible for dual credit?

Homeschool students make take Dual Credit courses that are within the Lone Star College core curriculum (with the exception of physical education courses), Career and Technical education courses (see an advisor for details), or foreign language.  Courses within the field of study of the following subject areas are also eligible: ACCT, BCIS, BUSI, COSC, CRIJ, ENGR and ENGT.

+ May I take summer courses?

You may take dual credit or college credit only courses. If you take college credit only courses you will be responsible for paying full tuition. You may take two courses each summer term (Summer I & Summer II). Summer courses are more accelerated than regular length classes because they are only six weeks long.

+ May I take mini-term courses in May or December?

You may take dual credit or college credit only courses. If you take college credit only courses you will be responsible for paying full tuition. You may take one course each mini-term (May/ December). Mini-term courses are extremely accelerated compared to regular length classes because they are only three to four weeks long. We do not recommend mini-term courses to our dual credit students because of this.

+ May I take online courses?

Dual credit students are allowed to take online courses. Online courses come in two different formats – “Online Your Time – 100% Online” and “Online Live – with Scheduled Online Meeting”.

  • “Online Your Time – 100% Online”: Doesn’t have a set time or day of the week that students must attend classes.  They are responsible for completing the work on their own time while meeting the deadlines set by the instructor each week within D2L.
  • “Online Live – with Scheduled Online Meeting”: Has one or more virtual class meeting times scheduled each week.  The student must attend these virtual meetings for the course as well as complete the online materials within D2L.

+ What happens if I fail a dual credit course?

If you fail a dual credit course, or make a grade below a C, you will no longer be eligible to continue in the dual credit program.

+ I want to take a higher level math (Trig, Pre-Cal, Cal) instead of College Algebra. How do I qualify?

For all of the following, you must submit qualifying test scores (TSI, PSAT, SAT, or ACT) and place in at least college level in college algebra (Math 1314).

In order to qualify for Trigonometry or Calculus of Business & Social Sciences (Math 1316, Math 1325) you must submit qualifying test scores in all subject areas as well as qualifying test scores such as SAT, ACT, or NextGen Math.

In order to qualify for other upper level math courses such as Pre-calculus or Calculus I (Math 2412, Math 2413) you must submit qualifying test scores in all subject areas as well as qualifying test scores such as SAT, ACT, or NextGen Math AND have successful completion of high school trigonometry or pre-calculus with a B or better.

In order to qualify for Calculus II or Calculus III (Math 2414, Math 2415) students must provide qualifying test scores as well as a departmental exam.

+ Does the cost include books?

No, the reduced tuition that you pay as a dual credit student does not cover the cost of books.

However, LSC-Online now offers OER (Online Educational Resources) courses. All instructional materials will be provided within the course for free or at a low-cost. 

+ How do I drop/ withdraw from my course(s)?

Your counselor or homeschool administrator must complete an official Lone Star College Dual Credit Drop Form. If you wish to withdraw after the "Official Day of Record" according to the LSC calendar, your college transcript will reflect a "W" for withdraw from the course(s). "W"s for dual credit courses do not count toward the six drop limit. Standard LSC refund policies will apply.

*DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SELF-DROP

+ Do I need to make an appointment to TSI test or to meet with an advisor?

For testing, please visit our testing center website for instructions on completing remote and in-person testing. For advising, please email a dual credit advisor at: OL-DualCredit@lonestar.edu  

+ Will my dual credit classes transfer?

Yes! All the academic classes that are eligible for dual credit are part of the core curriculum at LSC. This means that these classes will transfer to any Texas public institution. Dual credit classes also transfer to several surrounding state schools and Texas private schools. Always contact your prospective college or university for information on transfer and dual credit course acceptance.

+ What does the dual credit waiver cover?

The dual credit waiver reduces tuition cost for each LSC class. The dual credit waiver does not cover additional lab fees or textbooks. For a visual aid on LSC Dual Credit vs. LSC College Credit Cost Comparison, please click here.

+ How many dual credit classes can I take each semester?

In a full semester (16-wk) you can take up to a maximum of 18 credit hours. In the summer semester you may take up to 2 courses in each 6-wk session. You may take a maximum of 1 course during the mini-mester. It is strongly recommended that new dual credit students take no more than 2-3 courses in the first semester of the program.

+ What tests can I use to qualify to take dual credit courses? Do I need to take the full TSI exam to take dual credit?

PSAT, SAT, ACT, or TSI scores can be used to qualify for dual credit. Please see placement testing chart for more information on test score requirements.

If it is your first time taking the TSI exam as dual credit student and you do not have any other qualifying test scores in the LSC system, you MUST take the full TSI exam. If you have partial qualifying scores in the LSC system you may take the just the portion of the test you need to qualify in other subject areas. The TSI testing fee for dual credit students is waived for the first visit only, regardless of whether or not you take the full exam.

+ Why would I need to fill out a FERPA form?

Even though your student may be under the age of 18, as a LSC dual credit student they are still covered under the federal guidelines that restrict Lone Star College from communicating with anyone other than the student. Completion of this form would allow parents/ guardians the right to access their child's academic records. FERPA does not require college instructors, advisors, or other college entities to correspond with parents/ guardians outside the realms of the request. Alternatively, you may provide a copy of your tax return showing the student as a dependent in order to achieve access to academic records. While this document is not required, it is highly recommended.

+ At what age can students enroll?

While there is no age requirement to enroll in dual credit classes, students under the age of 14 must meet with the dual credit manager or director in order to obtain permission to enroll in classes. Students 15 years of age and younger must have a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult present on campus at all times while they are on campus. Parents are not allowed to sit in the classroom with their children.

+ What are the homeschool graduation plan requirements and homeschool transcript?

Graduation Plan: A graduation plan is a requirement for all homeschool students. The graduation plan is a document that outlines all requirements the homeschool has set in order for the student to graduate high school. In order for a class to be eligible for dual credit, the class the student is planning to take must be present on the graduation plan. Please see the TEA website for more information on Texas Homeschool graduation requirements. This document can be formatted in any way the homeschool prefers, but see the Dual Credit Resources page under "Forms"  of our website for an example. You may also combine the graduation plan and transcript into one document, if you prefer. Avoid entering specific Lone Star classes into the graduation plan – instead choose generic subject areas to include for each requirement. The document requirements can be found here. Incomplete or incorrect documents will not be accepted.

Transcript: A homeschool transcript is a requirement for all homeschool students. The transcript should include all courses the student has previously taken in high school along with their final grades. You many also combine the graduation plan and transcript into one document, if you prefer. The document requirements can be found here. Incomplete or incorrect documents will not be accepted. If you wish to use our template for this document you can find it here.

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