Dual Credit

Northwest Vista College’s Dual Credit Program allows eligible high school students, grades 9-12, to earn college credit for certain high school courses in which they are currently enrolled while completing their high school requirements. In order for students to participate in the program, the high schools must be approved to offer dual credit courses. Per Senate Bill 1091, dual credit is limited to the NVC Core Curriculum, career and technology education courses, or foreign language courses within the core curriculum.

Northwest Vista College offers traditional dual credit to eligible home school students in our service area.  The courses a student can take will depend on their high school transcript and college core curriculum.  Dual credit students need to be taking courses that will be equivalent to courses they need to graduate high school.  Per Senate Bill 1091, dual credit is limited to the NVC Core Curriculum, career and technology education courses, or foreign language courses within the core curriculum.  The cost of tuition is $100 per course, and you are also responsible for accessing books and other materials required for each course (which should be listed on the syllabus for the course).

Final course eligibility will depend on student's transcript.

Please email the NVC Dual Credit Department if you have any further questions regarding the program. 

• Returning students:
  • Reference your course eligibility when selecting courses. This was sent to your student ACES email, along with instructions on how to search for courses and how to submit your registration requests.
  • The dual credit department can assist you with determining the need to re-apply if it has been more than 2 semesters since you last attended
    
    

Enrollment Process: 

Below is the process for your student to follow if they would like to be eligible for our dual credit program:

STEP 1: Submit an Apply Texas application online at www.goapplytexas.org

• When prompted to select the type of application you would like to fill out you must choose the option "BOTH (more common for 12th graders)"
• The application typically becomes available in September. Be sure to select the correct entry term (Fall 2025 or Spring 2026)
• Once you submit your application, please allow 5 business days for the application to be processed - then proceed to Step 2. 

STEP 2: Log into ACES to make sure you have access to your college email. If you plan to take the TSI exam, you will need to complete the Test Prep module located in ACES.

Testing Information (Optional but Encouraged)
Alamo Colleges cannot impose assessment requirements for enrollment into dual credit courses for the first 15 credit hours.

• • After the first 15 credit hours, if you do not have course history to verify college readiness, you will NEED to take the TSI.

However, we encourage students to take the TSI exam voluntarily, as it can help determine college readiness and may support future course placement.

• • Students may take the TSI exam after their application has been processed and they receive their Banner ID and username (typically within 5 business days).
    • Please note: Some dual credit courses still require that students meet specific course prerequisites. If a prerequisite is in place, it must be satisfied before enrolling in that course. Testing may be one way to meet those prerequisites. 
    • An example: Students cannot take ENGL 1302 without taking ENGL 1301. Students cannot take MATH 2414 (Precalculus) without taking MATH 1314 or MATH 1414 (College Algebra).

Important Reminder: Although testing requirements have changed, college-level rigor and curriculum standards have not. Dual credit students are beginning their official college transcript, which is a permanent academic record. Students are fully responsible for their academic performance and grades earned.

Click here for more information on testing and score requirements.  

If you have previous course history at any college, you will need to request an official, sealed transcript or electronic transcript from each college be sent to Northwest Vista College.  Transcripts may take up to 4 weeks to be received and uploaded into our system.  All transcripts must be on file 4 weeks before the start of the term.

After completing the steps 1-3 above, send all documents below to nvc-dualcredit@alamo.edu.

(REQUIRED) NVC HSP Consent Form

(REQUIRED) Notarized high school transcript that includes anticipated date of graduation, all high school courses completed, and the courses in progress or completed for the current school year

• For students that are following the graduation requirements of, and will be awarded a high school diploma from an online high school program, please request an official electronic transcript from the high school be emailed to nvc-dualcredit@alamo.edu

(REQUIRED) Parent Invoice Registration Form

(Optional) FERPA Consent Form and additional paperwork/supporting documentation. Click here for more information on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The documents above must be received and registration requests must be sent via email to the Dual Credit Office no later than 4 weeks before the start of the term. Please be aware, the later you complete all steps, there will be less course options available to you.

Once all documentation is received and reviewed, a course eligibility will be sent to the student's ACES email. This email will contain all the information on how to search for your courses and how to submit registration requests. 

Documentation will not be accepted after the following dates:

• Fall 2025 - July 21, 2025
• Spring 2026 - Dec 11, 2025

 Registration Deadlines:

• Fall 2025 -  July 28, 2025
• Spring 2026 - Dec 17, 2025
  
  

*Dual Credit Students cannot register themselves. Students must email their course request to the dual credit department before the deadline.

NOTE: Home school students must choose courses that follow the high school curriculum they will need to complete in order to graduate.