Elevate Tuscaloosa Boosts Dual Enrollment Opportunities For City Schools

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools on Wednesday announced that dual enrollment opportunities for its high school students are now available at no cost.

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In an effort to expand the program, students in grades 10-12th are now eligible to apply for dual enrollment classes at the University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College or Stillman College and have a total of up to 12 credit hours paid for through the city's Elevate Tuscaloosa funding.

TCS says the credit hours can count toward both high school and college credit, depending on the courses selected. Students interested in enrolling in dual credit classes in the fall are urged to contact their school counselor soon, before the end of the spring semester.

Students must be in a city high school at least one year prior to taking courses to be eligible, in addition to being in good standing with the school system and having a 2.5 minimum GPA.

Elevate Tuscaloosa reportedly allocates $750,000 a year for dual enrollment opportunities within the city, which will cover class tuition, books and fees this year.

Classes can be offered either virtually or in person, the school system said, and summer dual enrollment courses are also available.

In the announcement, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said the Elevate Dual-Enrollment Scholarship is saving families significant dollars on tuition, books and fees, but there are other positive trends to be found in the effort.

"The majority of participants in this program are taking their very first college course," he said. "I want every child in the City of Tuscaloosa to have an opportunity, if they so desire, for a college education."

Since 2020, TCS students have earned 2,972 in credit hours either at Shelton State Community College, Stillman College or the University of Alabama.

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