State Approaches to Funding Dual Enrollment

Students who dually enroll are more likely to finish high school and succeed in postsecondary education. Yet in many states, students and parents are largely—if not completely—responsible for covering dual-enrollment course costs, placing these courses out of reach of students in the greatest need. This Education Commission of the States policy analysis explores approaches states are taking to minimize or completely eliminate tuition and other costs for dually enrolled students. For each state highlighted, this report describes the state’s mechanism for funding dual enrollment, the potential benefits and drawbacks of each approach, student access and program outcomes, and considerations on the politics or culture underlying these funding approaches.