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College While In
High School

Which One is Right for You?

SUNY FMCC offers several programs for high school students to earn college credit prior to graduating. The credits earned can be applied to an applicable SUNY FMCC degree or certificate or transfer to other SUNY or private colleges and universities. It is important to work with the Admission’s Office of the schools you are interested in as certain majors may have different credit transfer requirements.

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The Benefits

There are many benefits to taking college classes prior to graduating from high school. Here are some of the major one’s students have told us.  SUNY FMCC is committed to expanding access to higher education in our community to help prepare you for great careers!

  • EARN COLLEGE CREDIT
    at a significant cost savings. SUNY FMCC is the best return on your investment!

  • EXPERIENCE THE CHALLENGE
    of college-level courses to expand and open your mind to new knowledge and unlimited possibilities.

  • BUILD CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
    which equips you for future college and career success.

  • ENHANCE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
    by showcasing your willingness to challenge yourself and document that you can complete college-level work.

  • ACCUMULATE COLLEGE CREDITS
    to lessen future course-load, making time to double major, take electives, or study abroad.

  • RECEIVE ACCESS TO SUNY FMCC’S EVANS LIBRARY
    and the vast online databases and resources within the SUNY System.

  • EXPERIENCE LIFE ON CAMPUS
    for Early Admission students as well as PTECH BOCES students.

  • HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
    to fulfill high school graduation requirements through completed college credit for the Early Admission and PTECH BOCES Programs.

Accreditation, Academic Standards, and Transfer of Credits

SUNY FMCC is committed to offering quality higher education for the students in our community. We aspire to ensure strong academic standards and prioritize the transferability of college coursework to both SUNY and private colleges and universities in our region and beyond.

Accreditation

SUNY FMCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education which requires periodic assessments and self-study evaluations as part of a continuous improvement approach. Further information can be found https://www.msche.org/institution/0314/.

Academic Standards

For classes taught at high schools or BOCES, SUNY FMCC oversees each course to determine that the course content, student learning outcomes, and textbooks are equivalent to the same courses taught on the SUNY FMCC campus.

High School teachers teaching college classes at your high school work closely with FMCC professors to make sure the course material is taught at a college level. All College in the High School courses are subject to the same standards and policies as any other SUNY FMCC course. Please see the college catalog for course descriptions.

2023-2024 SUNY FMCC Catalogv6.pdf
Transfer of Credits

Courses taken while in high school will automatically apply to your degree or certificate if you choose to attend SUNY FMCC after graduation.

Students who plan to attend other colleges or universities will need to arrange for SUNY FMCC to send an Official Transcript upon conclusion of the course. This request form can be found on the Quick Links menu.

Most colleges require a minimum grade to award transfer credit, generally a grade of C. Please note that every college establishes their own transfer credit policy, therefore we recommend that you contact individual colleges to learn their transfer requirements before registering for a course.

#1

College in the High School

SUNY FMCC offers a variety of college classes taught at participating high schools and BOCES. Most are general education courses which transfer to the vast majority of public and private colleges and universities. To participate in the College in the High School, students must be a junior or senior, receive a recommendation from a teacher or school counselor, and have a reasonable expectation of success in the course or courses.

#2

Early Admission Program

SUNY FMCC offers high school seniors an option to study at the College on a part-time or full-time basis as an Early Admit student. This program allows qualified seniors the opportunity to fulfill high school graduation requirements through completed college credit. Admissions Counselors work collaboratively with your high school guidance office to help you complete the early admission application process and ensure you are enrolled in all the courses needed to fulfill your high school requirements. There are typically 40-50 students accepted into the Early Admission Program each year.

EARLY ADMISSION
EARLY ADMISSION

This option is for seniors in the top half of their class. It requires a recommendation by your guidance counselor or high school principal to fulfill high school graduation requirements through completed college credit. Students may enroll full-time or part-time and take college classes on the FMCC campus or at their high school.

EARLY ADMISSION EXPLORATORY
EARLY ADMISSION EXPLORATORY

Seniors, who are not in the top half of their class and who are recommended by their school counselor or high school principal, may apply for the Early Admit Exploratory program at the College, taking courses which have no effect upon high school graduation requirements.

NURSING PREPARATION

This program is for seniors in their top half of their class to help complete prerequisite classes needed to be a nursing applicant. In order to be accepted students must have completed Algebra I with a 75% or higher and regents Biology with a 85% or higher AND a regents exam score of 80% or higher. This full-time program also serves as an introduction to the rigor of college classes and the pace of a semester schedule.

Is financial aid available to Early Admission students?

Yes! Early Admit Students may apply for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) after passing the Ability to Benefit Test administered by SUNY FMCC. They may apply for the Excelsior Scholarship provided they enroll in at least 15 credit hours and meet the eligibility requirements. Early Admit Students who are fulfilling graduation requirements may also apply for the FM Early Admission scholarship. However, Early Admit Students are NOT eligible for federal grants or student loans.

More information about financial aid can be found in the Financial Aid & Scholarships section.

Can Early Admission Students continue to participate in high school sports and activities?

Yes! Early Admission students can and should continue to participate fully in their high school sports, clubs, and activities. In addition, students are invited to participate in all activities and clubs at SUNY FMCC.

What is a typical Early Admit Student’s schedule?
The schedule is tailored to meet the student’s needs. Some students take classes on a full-time basis and some on a part-time basis. There are day and evening classes. Early admit students take classes with all other college students.

AS AN EARLY ADMISSION STUDENT, THE EXPERIENCE HELPED ME SOLIDIFY MY DECISION TO STUDY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

#3

Smart Scholars

(AMSTERDAM HIGH SCHOOL)

Amsterdam High School has developed a unique partnership with SUNY FMCC to give students a head start on college while saving their families thousands of dollars in tuition. Smart Scholars is designed to assist underrepresented students in earning college credit while attending high school.

Smart Scholars are selected for the program during an application process in the spring of their 8th grade year. During grades 9-12, Smart Scholars take specific high school classes and spend their time with other Smart Scholars at their own grade level.
Smart Scholars participate in college readiness seminars with college focused activities. By the beginning of their junior year they are dual enrolled both in high school and college courses. By the time they graduate from high school Smart Scholars are required to earn 24 college credits (mostly general education) from FMCC.
#4

ADVANCED PATHWAY COLLEGE CREDIT

(BROADALBIN-PERTH, FONDA-FULTONVILLE, JOHNSTOWN, NORTHVILLE & MAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOLS)

The Advanced Pathway College Credit Program is a free program that allows students to earn up to 25 articulated credits at SUNY FMCC that can be applied toward any academic program offered at the college. Students and families can save upwards of $6000 in annual tuition costs before graduating from high school. With this accelerated path, students have the potential to complete a two-year degree in a short period of time. This will allow students to meet their education and career goals earlier.

The expectation is that the students in the Advanced Pathway College Credit Program will be better able to compete when entering the workforce or applying for additional education.

Eligibility Requirements

Students enrolled in designated high school courses at Fonda-Fultonville and Mayfield who earn an 85 or better and have the recommendation of their high school teacher will be eligible for SUNY FMCC Advanced Pathway Credit upon enrollment in a program and registration of college courses at FMCC. FMCC must be the first college the student attends following high graduation to be eligible for the Advanced Pathway Credits. The student has two years following high school graduation to apply for SUNY FMCC Advanced Pathway Credit. No assurance is given that Advanced Pathway College Credit awarded through this agreement will transfer to any other post-secondary institution.

Further information can be found in the attached document about the differences between College in the High School and the Advanced Pathway College Credit Program.

College in HS v. Advanced Pathway College Credit Program Document

#5

BOCES PTECH

(HAMILTON-FULTON-MONTGOMERY BOCES)

PTECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School, is a 6-year program that incorporates project-based learning and professional skills training as students work toward their 2-year degree from SUNY FMCC or SUNY Cobleskill (depending on the degree pathway) at no cost to their families.

PTECH students enter the program as ninth-graders and simultaneously work toward Regents high school diplomas and associate degrees.

PTECH aims to look and function more like a hybrid between college and the workplace. It emphasizes individualized pathways to completion, workplace experiences, mentorship, in-depth project-based learning and real-world experiences.

PTECH students:

  • Are motivated to learn in new and exciting ways
  • Are innovative and creative
  • Work well in a collaborative team environment
  • Thrive in a non-traditional classroom setting
More Information

SUNY FMCC and PTECH have enhanced their partnership agreement to allow PTECH students to be eligible for intercollegiate athletics beginning in the Fall 2022 sports season. “At PTECH, we’re very excited about this expansion of opportunity for our students at FMCC. We believe that participation in college athletics leads to increased retention and graduate rates. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with FMCC to support our future student-athletes,” stated Matthew Davis, PTECH Principal.

More information about the PTECH BOCES Program can be found at:

https://www.hfmboces.org/programs-services/ptech/

and

https://www.facebook.com/HFMPTECH

  • AFTER COMPLETING HER PTECH PROGRAM AND HEALTH STUDIES DEGREE, LILIA WHITE IS PLANNING TO COMPLETE HER NURSING DEGREE AND GO ON TO BE A TRAVEL NURSE AND TRAVEL THE WORLD

  • “THE FACULTY ARE GREAT. THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT THE STUDENTS AND DEVELOP AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE WE CAN HAVE FUN WHILE LEARNING IN CLASS.” – EMILY SPRAGGS, EARLY ADMIT STUDENT

  • AFTER COMPLETING HIS PTECH PROGRAM AND COMPUTER NETWORKING & CYBERSECURITY DEGREE, RYAN MORE IS PLANNING TO PURSUE A BACHELOR’S IN COMPUTER INFORMATION & CYBERSECURITY AT NORWICH UNIVERSITY

    Billing & Payment
    The College While in High School Programs offer students the ability to earn college credit at a significant cost savings. Please note that for students outside of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, don’t forget to submit a Certificate of Residence in order to qualify for reduced in-state tuition.
    MORE INFO

    Dropping & Withdrawing from Classes
    If you enroll for college credit and then change your mind, you must notify SUNY FMCC to cancel your college enrollment. The date you notify us will determine if you will be responsible for payment. To drop a class, complete the Drop From Class Form. To withdraw from a class, complete the Withdraw From Class Form (will receive a grade of “W”), and send to FMCC’s Registrar’s Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    CHS DROP FROM CLASS FORM
    CHS WITHDRAW FROM CLASS FORM

    So What's Next?

    Contact us and see what the FMCC Difference can do for you.

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