Dual Enrollment provides high school students the opportunity to take college-credit-bearing courses taught by college-approved high school teachers in the student's home high school building. The term "Dual Enrollment" means a program offered by a partnership between at least one institution of higher education and at least one local educational agency. Secondary school students who have not graduated from high school with a regular high school diploma are able to enroll in one or more postsecondary courses. Students can earn postsecondary credit that is transferable to the institutions of higher education in the partnership. Credits can apply toward completion of a degree or recognized educational credential as described in the Higher Education Act.

Students gain exposure to the academic challenges of college while in their supportive high school environment, earning transcripted college credit at the time they successfully pass the course. Essentially, dual enrollment prepares students for success in college and careers by increasing access to higher education, lowering the cost of college, and shortening student time to earn a degree or certification.

Reduced Tuition Cost

Participating students have a reduced tuition rate or may qualify for FREE tuition through a scholarship program authorized by the Nebraska State Legislature.

• MCC: $50 per course.
• UNO: $250 per course.
• Midland University: $250 per course.

*Tuition costs are determined by the postsecondary institution.

The Omaha Public Schools District provides the textbook and all course materials necessary for the completion of the dual enrollment course. Tuition payment is the responsibility of the student. If a student qualifies for federal needs-based programs, they may be eligible for FREE tuition.

The ACE scholarship program pays mandatory tuition fees for qualified high school students to enroll in dual enrollment courses. The basic criteria for high school students to qualify for the ACE scholarship is their eligibility status to receive assistance under a variety of federal programs, most notably the free and reduced lunch program. Students must work with a building official or counselor to complete the online ACE application. 

Credits Transfer

Students begin creating an official college transcript with participation in a dual enrollment course. College institutions determine the transferability of credit, but typically credits transfer as follows:

• AP Courses transfer as general education requirements in either humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or mathematics to 4-year/2-year institutions.
• Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses transfer as required credits at the issuing institution towards an associate’s degree or certification, or to a similar 2-year institution with like programming, or may transfer as elective credits at 4-year institutions.

Students should request transcripts from any college he/she has earned dual enrollment credit with and provide them to the college/university during the admission process. It is the student’s responsibility to disclose any college credit earned during high school, whether from an AP or CE dual enrollment course to their college advisor.

Dual Enrollment Classes at Benson

• AP Music Theory
• AP Biology
• AP Physics
• AP Human Geography
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Statistics
• AP Spanish Language
• Honors Personal Finance
• Beginning Algebra Part 1
• Beginning Algebra Part 2
• Intermediate Algebra
• Developmental Mathematics
• Computer Graphic Design 3-4
• Computer Graphic Design 5-6
• Foundations of Healthcare 1-2
• Principles of Education
• AP French
• Medical Terms and Medical Pathology

Should a staff change occur, dual enrollment for each course is contingent upon authorization by the cooperating university. Regardless of authorization, each course prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam(s) administered in May.