Early Start High School Program
Welcome
Taking college classes while completing your high school education is a great way to get a head start at an affordable cost. As a CCC Trojan, you have access to the same resources as other CCC students.
Plan enough time for college-level work. A general guideline is about three hours of homework each week for every credit hour you take. For example, a three-credit course may require about nine hours of work each week outside class.
The Outreach Office is available to help through high school graduation. Students attending partner schools may work with a CCC Outreach Coordinator who can provide advising and help students complete program requirements.
Getting Started
Step 1: Apply
Apply to the Early Start High School Program.
- Use a personal email address because some school email systems block outside messages.
- Make sure your expected high school graduation year is correct. High school tuition rates and scholarships are based on the year you expect to graduate.
- Apply only once. One application will work for all of your studies while you are in high school, and your CCC student ID number will remain the same.
Step 2: Check Your Email
After your application is processed, you will receive an email from Admissions confirming your acceptance. The email will include ePortal login instructions. Check your spam or promotions folder if you cannot find it.
Step 3: Log In to ePortal
Go to the Colby Community College website and select ePortal. You will use several applications after classes begin:
- CCC Email: Receive messages and notices from instructors and the College.
- Canvas: Access online classes, assignments, and course materials.
- TrojanWeb: View billing, grade history, your schedule, and bookstore information.
Step 4: Complete Consent Forms
Two forms are required: parental consent and student consent. Complete the enrollment consent and scholarship forms, and make sure they are signed by both the student and a parent or guardian. Signatures must be in ink; electronic signatures are not accepted.
- Consent forms must be submitted before first-time registration.
- The forms are required only once and remain valid for the student's time in the Early Start High School Program.
Step 5: Register for Classes
Work with your Outreach Coordinator to register each semester. High schools in the CCC service area have an on-site Outreach Coordinator available to help.
- Request courses by course code and section code. Example: EN177-160 for an English Composition I high school online section.
- Homeschool students should email outreach@colbycc.edu
from their CCC email account to request courses.
Important: Do not register for classes online through TrojanWeb. Online registration will be canceled. Registration must be completed through an Outreach Coordinator.
Additional documentation may be required for courses labeled CTE because state funding requirements apply.
Step 6: Order Books and Access Codes
Check TrojanWeb to confirm your enrollment, then order required books and access codes as soon as possible through the CCC Trojan Trading Post textbook store.
- Download your class schedule from TrojanWeb.
- Create a bookstore account using your CCC email address. This is required to receive eligible books through the Colby Commitment Scholarship.
- Sign in to your bookstore account.
- Search for each course by class number, section number, and instructor, then add required books or access codes to your cart.
- At checkout, complete the shipping information and select Check Financial Aid Balance to apply an eligible Colby Commitment Scholarship amount.
- eBooks are often the fastest option.
- Access codes will be emailed to your CCC email address.
- Rent an eBook when available if that option works for you.
- If you rent a physical book, it must be returned to the on-campus store on time to avoid charges.
Important: Books and access codes must be ordered through the CCC Trojan Trading Post for the Colby Commitment Scholarship to apply. Purchases from other retailers are not covered.
Step 7: Log In to Your Class
Know your class start date. On the scheduled start date, log in to ePortal and open Canvas. Your class should appear there.
If a class does not appear by its scheduled start date, contact CCC because the course may not yet have been published by the instructor.
Important: Read the syllabus and add assignment and test dates to your calendar. Ask for help right away if anything is unclear.
Placement Policy
Kansas requires minimum placement standards for mathematics and English Composition courses. Students must meet minimum GPA requirements or qualifying ACT or ACCUPLACER scores to register.
- EN176 - English Composition I
- ACT Reading and Writing: 18 or higher; ACCUPLACER English and Reading: 255 or higher.
- MA178 - College Algebra
- ACT Math: 22 or higher; ACCUPLACER Math: 263 or higher.
Multiple measures may be used by combining test results and subject GPA information. Students who do not meet the minimum standard through ACT or GPA may take ACCUPLACER testing through CCC at no charge. Work with your Outreach Coordinator for placement assistance.
Program Options
Veterinary Nursing
High school students may complete prerequisite courses needed for admission to the Veterinary Nursing program. In addition to general courses, students may take VN115, VN119, VN121, VN126, and MA109.
Tip: VN115, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing, is a one-credit, four-week course that introduces the program and can provide a foundation for the Veterinary Nursing pathway.
Agriculture
The Agriculture program offers courses that introduce high school students to several areas of the field. Some courses are open to all high school students, some are limited to seniors, and others are not available until after high school.
Courses Open to All High School Students
- AG105 - AG OSHA Certification
- AG106 - Principles of Agricultural Economics
- AG118 - Marketing of Agricultural Products
- AG122 - Introduction to Livestock Judging
- AG123 - Introduction to Swine Production
- AG127 - Introduction to Cattle Health
- AG128 - Introduction to Pet Grooming
- AG129 - Introduction to Preservation Dog Breeding
- AG155 - Beef Pregnancy Detection
- AG156 - Breeding Soundness Exams
- AG157 - Fundamentals of Hunt Seat Discipline
- AG158 - Fundamentals of Western Discipline
- AG170 - Introduction to Equine Health
- AG171 - Introduction to Equine Evaluation and Selection
- AG206 - Agricultural Law
- VN115 - Introduction to Veterinary Nursing
- VN119 - Breeds of Domestic Animals
- VN121 - Medical Records and Veterinary Office Skills
Courses Available to High School Seniors Only
- AG126 - Principles of Livestock Nutrition
- AG149 - Animal Science
- AG150 - Animal Science Lab
- AG151 - Beef Cattle Science; requires AG149
- AG152 - Introduction to Animal Health; requires AG149
- AG176 - Horse Production
- AG205 - Agricultural Finance
- AG240 - Introduction to Beef Production; requires AG149
- VN126 - Veterinary Medical Terminology
Students who plan to attend CCC after high school are encouraged to take these courses in person when possible.
Courses Not Available to High School Students
- AG153 - Farm Animal Reproduction
- AG226 - Applied Livestock Nutrition
- AG249 - Artificial Insemination
- AG259 - Equine Reproduction
- AG260 - Equine Nutrition
- AG261 - Equine Anatomy
Colby Commitment Scholarship
The Colby Commitment Scholarship helps high school students in the College's 14-county service area reduce the cost of tuition, fees, and books. Eligibility ends when the student graduates from high school.
The service area includes Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Wallace, Logan, Gove, and Trego counties.
Scholarship Levels
- Community Scholarship: High school students in the service area receive books and fees plus tuition at a reduced rate of $50 per credit hour.
- Full Scholarship: Available to current high school students in Thomas County, qualifying students whose parent or legal guardian owns property in Thomas County, and qualifying service-area students who meet established free or reduced-price lunch income guidelines. The scholarship covers eligible books, tuition, and fees.
No combination of scholarships or tuition waivers may exceed the cost of tuition, fees, or books.
Students qualifying through income guidelines must provide required verification before the full scholarship can be applied. Students living outside Thomas County who qualify through family property ownership may be asked to provide documentation such as a deed.
Semester Dates
CCC offers 16-week courses and condensed 12-week, 8-week, and 4-week sessions.
| Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Long Semester | Aug. 17-Dec. 10 |
| 12 Week | Sept. 14-Dec. 10 |
| 8-Week 1 | Aug. 17-Oct. 7 |
| 8-Week 2 | Oct. 12-Dec. 10 |
| 4-Week 1 | Aug. 17-Sept. 15 |
| 4-Week 2 | Oct. 26-Nov. 19 |
| Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Long Semester | Jan. 11-May 13 |
| 12 Week | Feb. 16-May 13 |
| 8-Week 1 | Jan. 11-March 4 |
| 8-Week 2 | March 8-May 13 |
| 4-Week 1 | Jan. 11-Feb. 4 |
| 4-Week 2 | April 12-May 6 |
Note: Summer courses are either eight or four weeks long and are offered online only. Summer courses move quickly and are intensive. Winter courses are not available to high school students.
Dropping or Withdrawing from Classes
Pay close attention to published deadlines. Add, drop, and withdrawal dates are firm.
- Drop
- A student may drop a class before the published add/drop deadline. The course is removed from the student's account, and fees for the class are removed. Deadlines vary by course length.
- Withdraw
- After the drop deadline, a student may still withdraw before the published withdrawal
deadline. A grade of W remains on the transcript, and fees and scholarship amounts
remain the same. The student must request the withdrawal directly from the Registrar's
Office at registrar@colbycc.edu
. - Failed Course
- A failing grade remains on the transcript. The Colby Commitment Scholarship is removed for the failed course, and the student becomes responsible for the full tuition, fees, and book costs for that course.
Paying for Classes
High school students are responsible for tuition and fees for college classes unless eligible funding applies. Payment is not required on the day of enrollment, but outstanding fees must be paid before the next registration date. Payments may be made during the semester by mail, phone, or online through TrojanWeb. Bills are mailed monthly.
- Excel in CTE
- Kansas pays tuition for qualifying Kansas high school students enrolled in approved courses. Students may still be responsible for books and course fees.
- Unpaid Fees
- A hold may be placed on the student's account, preventing class registration or transcript orders.
- Dropped Course
- If a course is dropped before the add/drop deadline, fees for that course are refunded.
- Withdrawn Course
- Fees remain the same after the drop deadline. Paid amounts are not refunded for withdrawn courses.
- Failed Course
- Any scholarship for the failed course is removed, and the student owes the full tuition, fees, and book costs for that course.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA is a federal law that protects student privacy. College faculty and staff generally may not discuss a student's education record with another person without the student's permission.
A FERPA consent form may identify an authorized person and relationship to the student and include a security question and answer for verification. The student must sign the form and may revoke consent in writing.
Because students may take dual or concurrent courses through both a high school and the College, information may be shared between the institutions when there is a legitimate educational need to know.
Excel in CTE
Excel in CTE is a Kansas initiative that allows high school students to take qualifying career and technical education courses tuition-free. Textbook and course fees may still apply.
Eligible courses may help students complete prerequisites or earn a certification while still in high school. CCC offers qualifying opportunities in areas such as Agriculture, Nursing, Veterinary Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Alternative Energy.
Important: The State of Kansas determines funding distribution and which programs qualify. The list of qualifying courses is subject to change.
Advising and Academic Planning
Work with your on-site Outreach Coordinator to plan courses that fit your academic goals and high school schedule.
Students considering an associate degree before high school graduation, or students who want to discuss course transferability, may schedule an advising appointment with the Trojan Advising Center.
Transcripts
Unofficial Transcripts
Students may download an unofficial transcript from TrojanWeb at no charge. An unofficial transcript may be useful for showing final grades, applying for scholarships, or beginning applications to other colleges and universities.
Official Transcripts
Some schools or organizations require an official transcript. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the CCC Registrar's Office to the receiving institution or organization. A fee applies, and processing may take several days.
Learn how to request an official transcript.
Students who continue their studies at CCC do not need to order a CCC transcript for their admissions file. CCC will need an official high school transcript after final high school grades are posted.
Tutoring and Proctoring
Tutoring
Free tutoring is available to all CCC students. The Comprehensive Learning Center in the library provides support for on-campus and online learners.
Proctored Tests
Some instructors require proctored tests. Review your course requirements and schedule proctoring in advance.
ePortal Applications
Your acceptance email includes instructions for logging in to ePortal. Log in promptly to confirm access to the applications you will use regularly.
TrojanWeb
- Check your class schedule.
- Print unofficial transcripts.
- Review fees and pay your bill.
Canvas
- Access online classes.
- Submit assignments.
- Find tutorials.
- Communicate with your instructor.
CCC Email
- Check your CCC email regularly because it is a primary form of College communication.
- The CCC email system uses Gmail and may be configured to forward messages to another account when appropriate.
Need Help?
Contact the Outreach Office at outreach@colbycc.edu
or work with your local Outreach Coordinator.