Start College Now (SCN) Courses

Earn College Credit in High School (Grades 11-12)

What is a ‘Start College Now’ Course?

Start College Now courses are one of two dual enrollment options – the other being Dual Credit courses. Start College Now courses enable eligible 11th and 12th-grade students to enroll in Moraine Park courses online or on campus, earning both high school and college credit simultaneously.

The school district will pay 100 percent of the tuition, fees, required textbooks and course materials for approved courses. Course approval is at the discretion of the school board.

The credits earned can transfer to Moraine Park programs, Career Academies, and many colleges and universities through transfer agreements.

Start College Now Benefits

Experience college life – Take classes online or at a Moraine Park campus.
Save money – School districts typically cover approved tuition, fees, required textbooks, and course materials. Students may need to reimburse costs for failed or dropped courses. Check with your high school for their policy.
Make the most of your time – Get both high school and college credit at the same time.
Get ahead – Start working toward your degree sooner.
Keep your options open – Credits transfer to Moraine Park and many 4-year colleges.
Stand out – Build real skills and make your resume stronger before you graduate.
Challenge yourself – Take college-level classes and grow your confidence.
Explore careers – Find out what you like before committing after high school.

Graphic explaining that earning dual enrollment credits through Dual Credit courses or Start College Now Courses has three benefits: 1. Students can earn a Career Academy certification. 2. Students can apply credits to a college degree. 3. Students can boost their resume for the job hunt.

School districts typically cover approved tuition, fees, required textbooks, and course materials.
Students may be responsible for reimbursing costs for failed or dropped courses, depending on their school district’s policy.

To participate in Start College Now (SCN), students must:

Attend a Wisconsin public high school.
Be in 11th or 12th grade.
Enroll in courses during the fall or spring semester.
Submit the SCN Application to their school district by:
- March 1 for fall semester enrollment
- October 1 for spring semester enrollment

Planning ahead? During the spring semester, 10th grade students can apply to enroll for the upcoming fall when they will be in 11th grade.

Students who attend homeschool or a private high school are not eligible to participate in the state-funded Start College Now program.
Reach out to recruitment@morainepark.edu if you’re interested in taking college courses through self-pay.

Step 1: Apply for Start College Now (SCN)

Meet with your high school counselor to talk about how SCN fits your goals and schedule.
Complete the SCN Application.
- Get a parent/guardian signature.
- Consider listing alternate courses so your high school can pre-approve backup options if your preferred class fills before you register.
- If you’re enrolled in a Career Academy, be sure to include all courses you plan to take during the semester because each one requires separate approval.
- Not sure which courses to choose? Talk to your MPTC Recruiter for course recommendations based on your career interests.
Submit your completed SCN Application to your high school before the deadline.

MARCH 1: Deadline to submit a SCN application for fall classes.
OCTOBER 1: Deadline to submit a SCN application for spring classes.
Summer classes are not available through Start College Now.

Download SCN Application Form

Step 2: High School Approval is Needed

If your high school approves courses, they will send your SCN Application to recruitment@morainepark.edu by:
- APRIL 30 (for fall classes)
- NOVEMBER 30 (for fall classes)
Your high school will also send your transcript and test scores (if available).

AUGUST 1: Last day for MPTC to receive your high school transcript with your final Chemistry grade. This is required for approval into courses that require a Chemistry pre-requisite.

Step 3: Watch for an Email from MPTC

Once we receive your application from your high school, we’ll review it to confirm that you meet the requirements for each course.
Within 4 business days, you and your parent/guardian will receive an email with:
- A list of your approved courses
- Access to the SCN Welcome webpage (This will provide step-by-step guidance and important information, including how to activate your MPTC account, register for classes, order textbooks, attend orientation, and more!)

If you plan to take Nursing Assistant, EMT, or Phlebotomy courses, or participate in a High School Career Academy, your MPTC Recruiter will contact you with information about the application process and important deadlines for your program.

Do you like to plan ahead or just want to view upcoming classes? Use the instructions below to see your options.

Go to Moraine Park Class Offerings.
Select the Fall or Spring tab.
Search by course name. (Or if you already have your list of approved courses, you can look them up by course number, for example: 890-101 College 101.)
Click the green arrow next to any class for details, include WHEN, WHERE, and HOW that specific class is offered.
If you find a class that fits your schedule, record the 5-digit CRN (Course Reference Number) because you’ll need it later for registration. (We recommend looking for alternate classes in case your first choice is no longer available.)

Be aware of course limitations.

Program Restriction: You cannot register for the class unless you have been admitted to the required program (for example: Cosmetology, Electrical Power Distribution, EMT, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, etc.).
Prerequisite: You must meet the requirement before registering for the class, such as achieving a specific test score or successfully completing another course.
Corequisite: You must meet the requirement at the same time you take the class. For example, you may be required to enroll in two courses during the same semester and cannot take one without the other.

Request More Information

FAQs

Students who attend a homeschool or private high school are not eligible to participate in the state-funded Start College Now program.
Reach out to recruitment@morainepark.edu if you’re interested in taking college courses through self-pay.

You will receive an email with a list of approved courses.
In that same email, you’ll be given a link to the SCN Welcome webpage. (The welcome page provides step-by-step guidance and important information, including how to activate your MPTC account, register for classes, order textbooks, attend orientation, and more!)

No. Class sizes are limited, and times, dates, campus locations, and delivery formats vary. Classes are filled on a first come, first-served basis.
We encourage SCN students to register for their classes as soon as they are allowed for the best possible choices.
Students may want to list alternative courses on the original SCN form so that their high school can pre-determine the acceptability of back-up options.

High School credit is at the discretion of the high school district.

There is no limit on courses a student may take; however, high school districts may have a policy which limits the total number of college credits earned through SCN and ECCP (Early College Credit Program).

No. Class sizes are limited and times, dates, campus locations, and delivery formats vary. Classes are filled on a first come, first-served basis. We encourage SCN students to register for their classes as soon as they are allowed for the best possible choices. Students may want to list alternative courses on the original SCN form so that their high school can pre-determine the acceptability of back-up options.

Yes, BUT you will be responsible for all costs.
You also must meet all pre-requisites listed for the class, just as you would for Start College Now.
Additionally, if it is during the school day, your high school must approve it under the compulsory attendance law.

No. A SCN student is expected to follow Moraine Park’s academic calendar and may need to be in class when their high school is off.
Semester start and end dates will also be different.

High Schools deny courses for several reasons – please check with them.
Moraine Park typically denies a course because you don’t meet the pre-requisite or co-requisite. Our recruitment staff can provide details.

A pre-requisite is a requirement that must be completed before you can enroll in a class.
A co-requisite is a requirement that must be taken at the same time as the class you wish to take.

Accommodations are available for SCN students.
You must work with both your high school and an Accessibility Specialist at the College to ensure that needs will be met – this should be done at least eight weeks before classes begin.
Start by submitting an Initial Accommodation Request.

High School Career Academies

What is a Career Academy?

Students can apply their Start College Now course credits to one of several High School Career Academies to earn a college-level certification while still in high school at little to no cost.

Each Career Academy is a set of classes focused on a specific career area, such as Business, IT, Healthcare, or Manufacturing.

Choose from a variety of Career Academies to start building your future today!

Explore Career Academies

Pyramid graphic showing how dual enrollment through dual credit courses or start college now courses allows students to attend a career academy which in turn allows students to earn a Moraine Park certification.

Abby Roecker

Driven by her passion for making a meaningful impact in people’s lives, Roecker is part of Moraine Park’s Pre-Health Academy, where she’s gaining a strong foundation in the field.

She’s already completed courses like Medical Terminology, General Anatomy & Physiology, and Nursing Assistant, setting herself up for success in her future health care program at Moraine Park.

As an Academy student, Roecker is earning college credits in two ways: Dual Credit, where she takes college-level courses at her high school, taught by her own teachers, and Start College Now, which allows her to attend classes at Moraine Park, taught by college faculty, all at no cost.

Questions?

Review our Resources and First Steps section to learn more about dual enrollment courses and how to get started. Explore upcoming online and in-person events and reach out to our friendly recruiters if you have any further questions.

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