I want to talk to a real person, who can I email or call?

Brock Astle, Advanced Opportunities Program Coordinator at bastle@sde.idaho.gov

If I withdraw from a dual credit course, will that affect my GPA?

High schools have moved all of their courses to a distance education format, including dual credit courses. As a result of this change, school districts and charter schools are considering changing their grading methodologies for this final semester or trimester, including looking at pass/fail grading. Pursuant to Board policy Section III.Y. Advanced Opportunities, the grading standard for dual credit courses taught at a high school must meet the same grading standard as the on-campus counterpart. The transition in the high schools to a pass/fail grading standard in dual credit courses needs to be done in conjunction with the postsecondary institution offering the college credit for the courses. The grading for dual credit courses is under the purview of the postsecondary institutions. All Idaho postsecondary institutions are currently working with the high schools to determine changes in grading policies for dual credit courses that are in the best interest of students.

Board policy III.V. Articulation and Transfer governs the transfer of credits based on a student earning the credit regardless of the grading methodology. The institutions have agreed to accept transfer credit for pass (P) grades in dual credit courses from the other postsecondary institutions in Idaho, as they would have if letter grades had been assigned. Students who receive a P grade in a dual credit course will not be​ required to take any additional placement tests related to the course at any public postsecondary institution in Idaho. Students who receive a P grade in a dual credit course will be​ allowed to take the next course in the curricular sequence, as applicable.

All postsecondary institutions have agreed to grant college credit that is earned by a student in a dual credit course that has been moved to virtual delivery. Most postsecondary institutions have already extended or are working to extend the drop and withdrawal dates for their Spring Semester courses, which include dual credit courses. High schools that have articulation agreements with a postsecondary institution for granting technical competency credits should review their agreements to make sure changing the grading standard will not impact students’ ability to be awarded credit when they matriculate. If credit is based on a letter grade, the high school should work with the postsecondary institution to update the agreement as necessary.

If I withdraw from a dual credit class, will that affect my financial aid?

The short answer is, it *could* affect your financial aid.

Even though you are not receiving federal financial aid while you are taking dual credit, you must be in good standing based on your college credits when you apply for federal financial aid at an institution in the future.

Taking dual credit does NOT reduce federal financial aid eligibility when the following criteria are met:

  • Successfully complete (pass and not fail or withdraw) at least 75% of your attempted classes. This way you will meet the criteria requiring you successfully complete a set percent of all attempted credits.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average on all dual credit classes. This way you will meet the minimum required grade point average.
  • Try to take general classes that will count toward a college degree at most institutions. It is fine if you end up with a few credits that do not count toward the degree but you will need to graduate before you have attempted 150% of the credits required for the college degree.

To confirm the status of your financial aid or review your dual credit record, reach out to your school counselor.

If I withdraw from a dual credit course will that affect my Advanced Opportunities Funding?

Yes. Withdrawing or failing a course is considered an attempt. If the course was paid for by Advanced Opportunities, the student would be required to follow ID Statute 33-4602 in order to receive further funding. The statute reads: If a student fails to earn credit or successfully complete a course for which the department has paid a reimbursement, the student must pay for and successfully earn credit or complete one (1) like course before the state department of education may pay any further reimbursements for the student.

What if my exam is canceled because of COVID-19?

If exams scheduled for Spring 2020 have been delayed or canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, payment for those exams can be honored through the Advanced Opportunities program for students at a later date. Those students who graduate in 2020 will need to have revised exams completed by December 31, 2020. Since student’s access to funding requests will have passed, requests for funding should be done in coordination with a student’s school district, as they will be able to submit the request on the behalf of the student. Requests should be made in an accurate manner with details mentioned in the notes section stating why the exam is being requested (ex. “COVID-19 cancellation retake”).