Homeschool Dual Credit
Lone Star College-Montgomery Homeschool Dual Credit
Information you need to start taking advantage of the wonderful dual credit opportunities that we have to offer you.
New Homeschool Dual Credit Student Checklist
Please review the Homeschool Information Session presentation using the link to the right side of this page, under the "Homeschool Info Sessions" section, before you begin the application process.
+ Click here to view the steps to becoming a LSC Homeschool Dual Credit student.
- Complete LSC Admissions Application through ApplyTexas.
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Check your email for your LSC username and ID number. You will usually receive this within 24-48 hours of completing the application. Save this information! You will need it to complete the registration paperwork.
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Create a password for your MyLoneStar account and log into your student portal at my.LoneStar.edu.
- Satisfy Bacterial Meningitis Requirement.
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This is only required if you are attending an in-person or hybrid class on the college campus.
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Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity. The activity is found in your MyLoneStar student checklist. (Skip this step if you have taken the SAT, ACT).
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Complete Placement Testing (ACT, SAT, and/ or TSI Testing).
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The testing fee is waived for all first-time dual credit testers. All first-time testers MUST take the full exam. Students can re-take sections of the exam for a small fee. Please visit our testing center website for more information.
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TSI testing can be completed either via remote proctoring or in-person proctoring at a LSC campus. Remote proctoring has an additional fee of $25 per administration. Please visit our testing center website for instructions on signing up for remote and in-person testing.
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Download Homeschool Packet and complete all required forms (obtain homeschool, parent, and student signatures). See chart to the right of this page for a breakdown of all of the forms required for first time registration.
- Upload all necessary registration documents as a single homeschool packet in the online form HERE. If you do not receive registration confirmation within 2 business days please email the dual credit team at MC-DualCredit@LoneStar.edu for assistance.
- Once you have received confirmation of your registration our last step is to pay for your classes. Instructions for payment can be found HERE.
***DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SELF-REGISTER OR DROP.***
Returning Homeschool Dual Credit Student Checklist
+ Click here to view the steps needed to register for your next semester of Dual Credit classes.
- Produce a Homeschool Transcript. (must be typed and signed by Homeschool Admin.)
- Transcript Requirement Checklist (if you are using your own format)
- Transcript Template (if you wish to use our format)
- Create a Graduation Plan containing a general outline of the required courses for high school graduation. (must be typed and signed by Homeschool Admin.)
- Complete an Dual Credit Exceptional Admissions and Parental Consent Form (Dual Credit Registration Form)
- This form must contain all 3 signatures.
- Upload all necessary registration documents as a single homeschool packet in the online form HERE. If you do not receive registration confirmation within 2 business days please email the dual credit team at MC-DualCredit@LoneStar.edu for assistance.
- Once you have received confirmation of your registration our last step is to pay for your classes. Instructions for payment can be found HERE.
***DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SELF-REGISTER OR DROP.***
Submit your Registration documents!
Dual Credit FAQs
+ What is the difference between dual credit and college credit only courses?
Homeschool students make take Dual Credit courses that are within the Lone Star College core curriculum (with the exception of physical education courses), Career and Technical education courses (see an advisor for details), or foreign language. Courses within the field of study of the following subject areas are also eligible: ACCT, BCIS, BUSI, COSC, CRIJ, ENGR and ENGT.
Any courses outside of the above listed parameters must be taken as college credit only. These courses are not eligible for reduced tuition and should not be counted as high school credit on your homeschool transcript.
+ Which courses are eligible for dual credit?
Homeschool students make take Dual Credit courses that are within the Lone Star College core curriculum (with the exception of physical education courses), Career and Technical education courses (see an advisor for details), or foreign language. Courses within the field of study of the following subject areas are also eligible: ACCT, BCIS, BUSI, COSC, CRIJ, ENGR and ENGT.
You may take dual credit or college credit only courses. If you take college credit only courses you will be responsible for paying full tuition. You may take two courses each summer term (Summer I & Summer II). Summer courses are more accelerated than regular length classes because they are only six weeks long.
+ May I take mini-term courses in May or December?
You may take dual credit or college credit only courses. If you take college credit only courses you will be responsible for paying full tuition. You may take one course each mini-term (May/ December). Mini-term courses are extremely accelerated compared to regular length classes because they are only three to four weeks long. We do not recommend mini-term courses to our dual credit students because of this.
Dual credit students are allowed to take online courses. Online courses come in two different formats – “Online Your Time – 100% Online” and “Online Live – with Scheduled Online Meeting”.
- “Online Your Time – 100% Online”: Doesn’t have a set time or day of the week that students must attend classes. They are responsible for completing the work on their own time while meeting the deadlines set by the instructor each week within D2L.
- “Online Live – with Scheduled Online Meeting”: Has one or more virtual class meeting times scheduled each week. The student must attend these virtual meetings for the course as well as complete the online materials within D2L.
+ What happens if I fail a dual credit course?
If you fail a dual credit course, or make a grade below a C, you will no longer be eligible to continue in the dual credit program.
For all of the following, you must submit qualifying test scores (TSI, SAT, or ACT) and place in at least college level in college algebra (Math 1314).
In order to qualify for Trigonometry or Calculus of Business & Social Sciences (Math 1316, Math 1325) you must submit qualifying test scores in all subject areas as well as qualifying test scores such as SAT, ACT, or NextGen Math.
In order to qualify for other upper level math courses such as Pre-calculus or Calculus I (Math 2412, Math 2413) you must submit qualifying test scores in all subject areas as well as qualifying test scores such as SAT, ACT, or NextGen Math AND have successful completion of high school trigonometry or pre-calculus with a B or better.
In order to qualify for Calculus II or Calculus III (Math 2414, Math 2415) students must provide qualifying test scores as well as a departmental exam.
+ Does the cost include books?
No, the reduced tuition that you pay as a dual credit student do not cover the cost of books.
+ How do I drop/ withdraw from my course(s)?
You must complete an official Lone Star College Dual Credit Drop Form. If you wish to withdraw after the "Official Day of Record" according to the LSC calendar, your college transcript will reflect a "W" for withdraw from the course(s). "W"s for dual credit courses do not count toward the six drop limit. Standard LSC refund policies will apply.
+ Do I need to make an appointment to TSI test or to meet with an advisor?
For testing, please visit our testing center website for instructions on completing remote and in-person testing. For advising, please visit our appointment scheduling website to see available dates and times.
+ Will my dual credit classes transfer?
Yes! All the academic classes that are eligible for dual credit are part of the core curriculum at LSC. This means that these classes will transfer to any Texas public institution. Dual credit classes also transfer to several surrounding state schools as well as Texas private schools as well. Always contact your prospective college or university for information on transfer and DC course acceptance.
+ What does the dual credit waiver cover?
The dual credit waiver reduces tuition cost for each LSC class. The dual credit waiver does not cover additional lab fees or textbooks. For a visual aid on LSC Dual Credit vs. LSC College Credit Cost Comparison, please click here.
+ How many dual credit classes can I take each semester?
In a full semester (16-wk) you can take up to a maximum of 18 credit hours. In the summer semester you may take up to 2 courses in each 6-wk session. You may take a maximum of 1 course during the mini-mester. It is strongly recommended that new dual credit students take no more than 2-3 courses in the first semester of the program.
SAT, ACT, or TSI scores can be used to qualify for dual credit. Please see placement testing chart for more information on test score requirements.
If it is your first time taking the TSI exam as dual credit student and you do not have any other qualifying test scores in the LSC system, you MUST take the full TSI exam. If you have partial qualifying scores in the LSC system you may take the just the portion of the test you need to qualify in other subject areas. The TSI testing fee for dual credit students is waived for the first visit only, regardless of whether or not you take the full exam.
+ Why would I need to fill out a FERPA form?
Even though your student may be under the age of 18, as a LSC dual credit student they are still covered under the federal guidelines that restrict Lone Star College from communicating with anyone other than the student. Completion of this form would allow parents/ guardians the right to access their child's academic records. FERPA does not require college instructors, advisors, or other college entities to correspond with parents/ guardians outside the realms of the request. Alternatively, you may provide a copy of your tax return showing the student as a dependent in order to achieve access to academic records. While this document is not required, it is highly recommended.
+ At what age can students enroll?
While there is no age requirement to enroll in dual credit classes, students under the age of 14 must meet with the dual credit manager or director in order to obtain permission to enroll in classes. Students 15 years of age and younger must have a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult present on campus at all times while they are on campus. Parents are not allowed to sit in the classroom with their children.
+ What are the homeschool graduation plan requirements and homeschool transcript?
Graduation Plan: A graduation plan is a requirement for all homeschool students. The graduation plan is a document that outlines all requirements the homeschool has set in order for the student to graduate high school. In order for a class to be eligible for dual credit, the class the student is planning to take must be present on the graduation plan. Please see the TEA website for more information on Texas Homeschool graduation requirements. This document can be formatted in any way the homeschool prefers, but see the Forms page of our website for an example. You may also combine the graduation plan and transcript into one document, if you prefer. Avoid entering specific Lone Star classes into the graduation plan – instead choose generic subject areas to include for each requirement. The document requirements can be found here. Incomplete or incorrect documents will not be accepted.
Transcript: A homeschool transcript is a requirement for all homeschool students. The transcript should include all courses the student has previously taken in high school along with their final grades. You many also combine the graduation plan and transcript into one document, if you prefer. The document requirements can be found here. Incomplete or incorrect documents will not be accepted. If you wish to use our template for this document you can find it here.
+ How do I search for classes?
Once you have determined which courses are eligible for dual credit, you will need to search for available courses in order to be registered. For instructions on how to search for classes click here.
+ Who do I meet with to register for classes?
During campus closure we recommend that you review the Homeschool Info Session Orientation presentation and upload all completed documents HERE. You can expect to receive a return email from a dual credit representative within 1-2 business days.
All first time homeschool students MUST review the Homeschool Information Session video or presentation prior to registering for classes their first semester. Please see the sidebar to the right of this page for links to both presentation options. Returning homeschool students may meet with any advisor in order to register for classes.