Dual Enrollment FAQ - Cumberland University

Frequently asked questions

Dual Enrollment FAQs

What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment is a program Cumberland University is pleased to offer exceptional high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit before graduating high school. For the highly motivated, dual enrollment gives students a jump-start on college, giving the student the opportunity to sample college before the freshman year. Depending upon course selection, you may be in a classroom at your high school or on campus at Cumberland.
Who can participate?
To take dual enrollment with Cumberland University, students must:
- Be a junior or senior in high school
- Have a minimum 3.0 unweighted high school GPA
- Have taken the ACT/SAT* at least once
- Submit all required documentation and registration forms
* Some courses at Cumberland University require a specific subscore on the ACT/SAT to take the course. Please refer to the University Catalog for specific course requirements.
How do I apply?
- Students seeking to enroll in the Cumberland University Dual Enrollment Program should apply using the “Undergraduate Student” application through the Office of Admissions website. When selecting “Academic Interest”, please select “Dual Enrollment.”
- After you have submitted your application, please work with your counselor or cooperative director to have your high school transcript and ACT/SAT scores sent to the Cumberland University Office of Admissions
How much does it cost?
The standard rate for dual enrollment courses is $500 for a 3-credit hour course. For courses more than 3-credit hours, the cost is $167 per credit hour over.

With funding from the State of Tennessee (TSAC Dual Enrollment Grant) and Cumberland University (Rising Phoenix Dual Enrollment Grant), students and families can potentially have no out-of-pocket tuition expense for twelve credit hours in an academic year. Other educational costs students and families may incur are:
- Application fee
- Textbooks
- Course/Lab fees (detailed in the course description located in the University Catalog)
What else do I need to know?
- Students accepted into the program may earn a maximum of 24 credit hours through dual enrollment.
- Dual enrollment students on Cumberland University’s campus will participate in regularly scheduled Cumberland University course sections. As space permits, accepted dual enrollment students are eligible to enroll into any 100 or 200 level course for which prerequisites have been met.
- Dual enrollment students will register after priority registration or with incoming freshmen. Grades posted on high school transcripts may be weighted and therefore differ from the grade on the student's Cumberland University transcript. Cumberland University grades will not be changed to match the high school transcript.
What are the benefits of Dual Enrollment?

When enrolled, students receive a Cumberland University Student ID along with access to campus events, campus services and discounts at various Wilson County locations.
Are textbooks covered by the Dual Enrollment Grant?

Textbooks are not covered by the Dual Enrollment Grant. Textbooks may be researched and ordered online through Cumberland University. Visit https://cumberland.textbooktech.com.
What fees am I responsible for?

Courses for Dual Enrollment are $500 per course. All fees must be paid by the first day of class. Parent/Student will be responsible for amounts not covered by Dual Enrollment Grant, i.e. course fees and tuition not paid by the grant.
How do I receive grants?
To Receive Grant for One (1) Class in a Semester:
- Must be past the 10th grade in high school.
To Receive Grant for Two (2) Classes in a Semester:
- Above requirements plus…
- Students can receive payment for the first class and may receive payment for a second class in the semester if they meet the minimum Hope Scholarship requirements (3.0 GPA or 21 ACT – homeschool students can only use the 21 ACT).
How is a grant awarded?
$1,200 max per academic year:
- Students receive $500 for the first course
- Students receive $500 for the second course
- Students receive $200 for the third course
- Students receive $0 for the fourth course
Second Academic Year of Dual Enrollment

$1,200 max per academic year:
- Student may receive $300 for each subsequent course, no more than two (2) courses per semester
- Any classes paid for by the Dual Enrollment Lottery Scholarship over 4 will reduce the student’s Hope Scholarship in the fall of their freshman year.
What are the academic requirements to maintain the Dual Enrollment Grant?
- Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA or better to continue to receive the scholarship.
- A grade of “B-“ equates to 2.67 quality points. If a student takes only one course and receives a “B-“, they will be ineligible for the grant in the second semester.
- Students cannot regain the Dual Enrollment Grant if lost due to GPA being <2.75
- Dual enrollment classes do not count against the Hope Scholarship 120 hour or 5 year maximum limitations.
- Students who are not eligible for the dual enrollment lottery benefit will be required to pay for their class(es) at the same rate as the dual enrollment lottery scholarship on or before they begin class(es). No other financial assistance is available for dual enrollment classes.
- TSAC Dual Enrollment Grant must be completed before the drop/add date has passed.
- For complete information regarding the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Dual Enrollment Grant, please visit:
  https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/