Program Admission UNK's Early Entry program allows academically talented students to earn college credit while still in high school. This can provide enhanced curriculum opportunities to help students remain engaged in their junior and senior years of high school and help prepare for higher level college work.
Upon the recommendation of a high school counselor, students of high academic achievement and potential may apply to take undergraduate courses at UNK concurrently with the high school program by enrolling through the UNK Early Entry Program. Before Applying Review our requirements:
Early Entry applicants must have their application approved by the high school counselor and a parent or guardian
Homeschooled students should use a parent's or guardian's signature
May enroll for a maximum of 11 hours per semester and a total of 30 semester hours prior to completion of high school requirements
Questions:
Early Entry With early entry, high school students apply to and are admitted as college students at UNK. College credit is earned for courses taken. Early entry students may enroll for a maximum of 11 hours per semester and a total of 30 semester hours prior to completion of their high school requirements. Courses take place at UNK.
Dual Enrollment With dual enrollment, high school students apply to and are admitted as college students at UNK. These students take a college-level course and receive both college and high school credit for this course. ;Dual enrollment students may enroll for a maximum of nine hours per semester and a total of 16 semester hours prior to completion of their high school requirements. Courses take place at the high school. (More information).
Dual Enrollment
Early Entry
Is this program for high school students?
Yes
Yes
Will students need to be admitted to UNK?
Yes
Yes
Will students earn college credit for this course?
Yes
Yes
Will students earn high school credit for this course?
Yes
No
Do these courses take place at UNK?
No
Yes
Do these courses take place at the high school?
Yes
No
Does participation in this program cost?
Yes
Yes
Student eligibility for the early entry program is determined by participating high school and university officials; however, eligible students will:
Be juniors or seniors; and
Meet the prerequisites of the course or otherwise demonstrate the ability to achieve success in the course; or
Be formally identified as high ability or gifted students by the school participating in the dual credit program.
Students must also meet the following academic requirements:
Hold a GPA of 3.0 or better; or
Earn an ACT composite score of at least 20 or an equivalent score on another valid assessment; or
Earn an ACT sub-score of at least 20 or equivalent on another valid assessment relevant to the offered course or courses; or
Rank in the upper one-half of high school class; or
Demonstrate through some alternative means the capacity for academic success in the desired course or courses. (Examples include student portfolios, letters or recommendations, and student performances/exhibitions.
The preceding student eligibility guidelines may be waived in special circumstances by the appropriate secondary and postsecondary officials, including the department offering the course and the dean of that department's college.
Yes! Early entry courses are real college classes taken at the UNK campus. A student taking early entry courses is registered and enrolled at UNK as a "non-degree seeking student prior to high school graduation." The grades earned through early entry are some of the first college grades a student will receive. Whether this student decides to attend UNK or another institution after high school, grades earned through early entry will be a permanent part of his/her academic record.
Note that participation in the early entry program does not guarantee admission to UNK as a "degree seeking freshman," though if a student decides to apply to UNK within two years of admission to the program, the $45 application fee will be waived.
To view the schedule and availability for current and upcoming classes, go to MyBLUE and select "Search UNK Course Schedule." Search for classes by day, time, subject, and mode of instruction (web-based).
Early entry students are encouraged to avoid registering for upper level courses. Choices should be limited to courses numbered at the 100 and 200 level.
Important: The University of Nebraska at Kearney is committed to providing students with the resources they need to achieve academic success. To fulfill this commitment, all students must meet with an academic advisor prior to registration. Early entry students will begin the semester with an advising hold on their course registration and must complete an academic advising session; after this, the advising hold will be lifted.
Early Entry
The initial cost is a $45 application fee. After that, the cost is $75/credit hour plus course/lab fees.* A UNK billing statement will be available through MyBLUE (instructions here) shortly after the term begins. If a student decides to apply to UNK within two years of admission to the early entry program, the $45 application fee will be waived.
More information on payment options is available from the Finance Office.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change
Am I eligible for financial aid?
No. Early entry students are classified as special students and do not qualify for financial aid.
Early Student Access!
As with all UNK students, early entry students will also have access to UNK resources in order to support and/or enhance the college educational experience. Specifically, early entry students will have access to:
Early Student Advantage! College credits earned through early entry will become part of a student’s permanent college record and can be applied toward college graduation. College credits that are earned may also be transferred to other colleges or universities. With college credits earned in high school, as a new college student, students gain the opportunity to have more time to pursue college courses for a double major, graduate from college early, or slightly lessen their course-load.
Long-term advantages for early entry students include the following:
Seamless transition from high school to college
Greater likelihood of success in subsequent collegiate work
Greater likelihood of earning a college degree
Reduced cost of enrolling in higher education courses
Enhances skills required to be successful at the collegiate level such as time management skills, critical thinking skills, study skills and following directions and procedures.
Early Entry courses are taught by UNK faculty at the university and follow the UNK academic calendar.
First, tell your high school guidance counselor that you are interested in the early entry program at UNK. Your high school counselor will help you begin the enrollment process, and ensure that you receive all of the relevant information.
Contact your counselor or UNK Admissions for more information on Early Entry.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is committed to providing students with the resources they need to achieve academic success. To fulfill this commitment, all students must meet with an academic advisor prior to registration. Early entry students will begin the semester with an advising hold on their course registration and must complete an academic advising session; after this, the advising hold will be lifted.
After being fully admitted, early entry students complete an advising session over the phone or in person. During the session, the academic advisor will answer any questions the student may have about UNK and MyBLUE, and assist the student in determining the appropriate courses to take. This advisor will also ensure that all course prerequisites have been met. Following the session, the advising hold will be lifted so that the student can complete his or her course registration through MyBLUE.
Contact Academic Advising and Career Development at (308) 865-8501 to complete the advising session. This is an interactive session, so students should have their questions ready and be prepared to spend as much time as necessary to be comfortable with enrolling in a college course.
Early entry students may enroll for a maximum of eleven hours per semester and a total of 30 semester hours prior to completion of their high school requirements. For most recent policies, click here. To see all classes offered by UNK, view the current UNK Undergraduate Catalog.
Acceptance of Credit Earned Through Early Entry
Acceptance of previously earned college credit is completely up to each college or university. When visiting colleges, it is important to ask how transfer credit is handled. Course credits are generally accepted by other member colleges and universities and by those accredited by other regional accrediting agencies. Some universities have a general statement that states the university policy on transfer of credit on their website.
Will the courses I take through the Early Entry Program affect my GPA if I end up attending college at UNK, UNL or UNO?
Yes. Since these are college courses for which you are receiving credit, the grades will become a part of your cumulative GPA. If you receive a scholarship that has a minimum GPA requirement, these courses will be included in that GPA calculation.
The Partners Achieving Student Success (PASS) program is designed to develop lines of communication among students, their designated partner (usually parent or guardian) and University staff. By providing information to the student's partner the student can gain a valuable ally in their academic development. Because of Federal regulations (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) services can only be provided to members of the PASS program after the student signs a Release of Information form.
Benefits of the PASS Program
Notification of the non-student partner if the student receives an Early Warning Referral.
Information about support services available to help students achieve success.
Personal Assistance when questions, concerns or problems arise, members may call or email the Academic Advising and Career Development staff.
The P.A.S.S. program is optional but recommended to Early Entry students. Click here for the most current information.
Students have the option to allow others (for instance, parents or guardians) to view their academic records stored in MyBLUE. On the MyBLUE homepage, the Profile tab on the lower left side of the screen opens a Profile page. On the right side of the Profile page under Guest Access, the student will find information and a link to create and manage a Guest Account. View the MyBLUE login page.
View the Drop/Add schedule for UNK classes. Check the dates and timeline for information on how to drop a course and to see if a refund is available.
Program Admission
