Jump Start 

 University Parallel Program

The Jump Start University Parallel Program is a cooperative effort between local high schools and Northeast State Community College. This program provides qualified high school students an opportunity to get a "Jump Start" on college by enrolling in college classes while still in high school. Students may earn 12 or more semester hours of transferable college credit and satisfy specific courses required for high school graduation through the Jump Start Advanced Studies Program. The curriculum for each Jump Start Program is specifically designed to fulfill the course requirements of high schools participating in the program. As a result, individual program offerings may vary from school to school or system to system. Questions regarding a particular program offering may be directed to the high school counselor or Northeast State's Division of Evening and Distance Education. Contact Gwen Widner, Coordinator, Dual Enrollment Programs, at jgwidner@NortheastState.edu, 423.354.2586 / 423.354.2505 or contact Shelby McKenzie at swmckenzie@NortheastState.edu, 423.354.5186.

Advantages 

• Students receive collegiate-level instruction while remaining in their own high school environment.
• Students are intellectually and academically challenged, enhancing leadership and social development.
• Students can earn transferable college credits(s) resulting in financial savings for the parents.
• Students receive full library privileges and access to college activities.

Students in this program will complete all Northeast State admission requirements and program entrance requirements (with the exception of the high school diploma) as outlined in the Dual Enrollment Packet prior to enrolling in college classes.

Program Entrance Requirements 

1. Students must have junior or senior standing in high school.
2. Students must submit a Northeast State application for admission with an application fee and provide a high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores.
3. Students enrolling in general education courses (English composition, history, psychology, etc.) or in courses requiring English or reading as prerequisites must have an ACT sub-score of 18 in English and 19 reading. Students enrolling in selected math course(s) or courses requiring math as a prerequisite must have a minimum ACT sub-score of 19. Students completing the SAT must have a SAT composite score of 920 with minimum scores of 460 in math and 460 verbal.
4. Students seeking to enroll in technical education courses must consult with their high school counselors and Northeast State's Assistant Vice President of Evening and Distance Education prior to enrolling.
5. Courses must be chosen by the student in consultation with the high school counselor or principal and the assistant vice president of Evening and Distance Education.
6. Students may not enroll in more than 12-credit hours per semester without approval of the assistant vice president for Evening and Distance Education.
7. Exceptions to the above criteria must be approved by the high school principal and the vice president for Academic Affairs.

The following information is required to complete your student application file: 

• Northeast State Application - $10.00 Application Fee (non-refundable)
• Signed Transcript Request Form
• Provide Official Copy of High School Transcript
• Provide Approval Letter from Principal of Umbrella School - Stating Courses to be Taken (home school students only)
• Provide Official Copy of ACT or SAT Scores
• Complete the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Form 
• Complete the Hepatitis B Immunization Health History Form
• Academic Qualification Verification Form
• Copy of Student's Driver's License, Birth Certificate, or a State ID

Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant 

The program is funded by the Tennessee Lottery and administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. It is designed to provide financial assistance to qualified high school students in pursuit of postsecondary study at an eligible Tennessee public or private institution while receiving dual high school and college credit from successfully completed courses. This program provides opportunities for these students to begin working toward a college degree, while still pursuing a high school diploma, and encourages post-secondary education and the acceleration of postsecondary attainment. The term “dual enrollment” applies to these enrollments regardless of course delivery location or course delivery method.

Grades and Transferability 

All courses employ the Northeast State grading scale. If a student fails to maintain a grade of "C" in a Jump Start course, he/she will be required to withdraw from the program. Most institutions receiving transfer credit require that the student earn at least a "C" average on college-level work to be transferred. Although Northeast State students have successfully transferred to numerous colleges and universities, it is the responsibility of students who are not planning to attend Northeast State after high school, to contact the colleges of their choice to ensure transferability of coursework. All grades earned will become a permanent part of the student's academic record at Northeast State.

Contact Gwen Widner, Coordinator, Dual Enrollment Programs for advisement and enrollment process at jgwidner@NortheastState.edu, 423.354.2586 / 423.354.2505 or contact Shelby McKenzie at swmckenzie@NortheastState.edu, 423.354.5186.