Early College
Get a head-start on your college career through Commonwealth University’s Early College program.
Students may take up to 3 courses per semester. Students may take up to 2 courses for the summer and winter sessions. Courses may be taken on campus, online, or through Commonwealth’s approved districts as concurrent enrollment in a secondary environment.
Ready to join? Complete the following steps
- Apply for Early College
- Talk to your parent/guardian - they will receive an electronic form via email authorizing you to participate in our program.
- Download and complete your Authorization to Participate form. This form can be completed electronically and will need to be reviewed by your school counselor. The counselor will submit the form to CU along with your high school transcript. Please note, the school will release the high school transcript following their policy and procedure.
- Once your requirements are met, check your personal email for your acceptance letter.
Early College Program Admission Requirements
- Open to Juniors and Seniors
- Sophomore level student eligibility is on a case by case basis.
- Cumulative 3.0 high school QPA (85% weighted GPA) or higher at the time of application
- When endorsing a student for the Early College program, please consider the student’s character, integrity, and maturity to increase the prospect of success in the program.
Maintaining Program Eligibility
- Students must adhere to the University policies and procedures, including but not limited to, academic and student conduct policies.
- Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher at CU in order to continue their following semester(s).
- Students who do not maintain eligibility criteria may be asked to leave the program and return to their home district. Students may appeal this decision and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
- Students who were admitted to the university as a first-time freshman, but do not maintain eligibility criteria, may have their admittance revoked if deemed necessary by the Office of Admissions.
- A poor academic and/or conduct standing can/will impact areas such as certain major eligibility, financial aid status, scholarship eligibility, and/or admission to the university.
- It is imperative both parties aid in the students’ understanding of the possible consequences and to advise them to seek guidance and connect with the provided resources if challenges arise.
- The student’s respective district should have contingency plans if a student is no longer eligible to stay in the program.
Course Catalog2025 Early College Requirements
Helpful Information
An opportunity to earn college credits that may apply toward a bachelor's degree, as well as have the potential to be used as dual enrollment credits for high school graduation requirements. Most of our general education courses and some introductory level major courses are available. You will work closely with your high school guidance counselor and the Early College staff to determine the courses that will fit your schedule.
Early College is offered at all of our Commonwealth University campuses. Upon successfully completing coursework you will earn college credits that will be applied to your Commonwealth University transcript, providing you with a pathway to a bachelor’s degree.
The cost of tuition for an early college student is $127 per credit, or $380 for a 3-credit course.
Early college at Commonwealth University...
- Allows a student to expand their education in areas where their high school does not have advanced placement classes.
- Provides an opportunity to explore potential college majors.
- Improves a student’s college readiness and makes their college application more competitive.
- Allows students to receive a reduced cost for tuition as well as minimizing the time to degree completion.
- You must be a motivated student, enrolled in academic or college prep coursework and considering a post-secondary education. Authorization from a parent/guardian, as well as your school district, is also required.
- Early College students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
- Students will be scheduled after current Commonwealth University students had the opportunity to schedule. Enrollment is based on space availability.
Start your degree with us – Finish your degree with us. Offering more than 50 undergraduate and dozens of graduate programs, you’ll always have options with Commonwealth University.
Commonwealth University is committed to offering financially responsible, world-class education. Our scholarship plans continue to grow annually to work in support of our students and their success.
While the Early College Program opens doors to countless opportunities for ambitious high school students, it comes with financial barriers that not all families can overcome. That’s why philanthropic support is essential to make this important program accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.
For information on how you can support the Early College Program at Commonwealth University, contact Jerome Manley at jmanley@commonwealthu.edu or 570-389-4806.
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Early College is Early Admissions
Commonwealth University can help students in either situation through our Early College program. At CU, by combining the legacy dual enrollment programs of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield, we have created the Early College Program, which combines on-campus and online opportunities for students across central Pennsylvania.
Contact Early College
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