Start College Now

The Start College Now program allows public high school juniors and seniors who meet certain requirements to take post-secondary courses at a Wisconsin technical college. The program provides opportunities for high school students to get a head start on a technical certificate or an associate or bachelor’s degree, to learn more about a field or career of interest, and/or to develop specific skills for entering the workforce immediately after high school graduation. Through the Start College Now Program, a school board will determine if a desired college course can be taken for high school credit and is not comparable to a current course offered by the district. In such cases, and unless the student fails to complete or get a passing grade in the course, the district will pay the cost of tuition and fees and the student will receive both high school and college credit. This high school credit will then count toward the student meeting high school graduation requirements needed to earn a high school diploma.

Who is eligible for Start College Now?

The Start College Now Program is available to Wisconsin public school juniors and seniors who meet the following requirements:

• Have completed the 10th grade
• Are in good academic standing and have an acceptable disciplinary record.
• No later than March 1 for a course to be taken in the fall term or October 1 for a course to be taken in the spring term, submit WTCS Start College Now Form notifying the school board of the student’s intention of enrolling in a postsecondary institution.
• Not a child at risk, as defined in s. 118.153 (1) (a)

What steps should students take next?

1. Talk with a high school counselor about their interest in earning early college credit and learn what classes are available to take at their high school.

2. Contact Nathan Zorn at nzorn@nicoletcollege.edu to obtain a Start College Now application (due by March 1 for fall term, October 1 for spring term).
3. Have their high school send their transcript to Nicolet College.
4. Set up and activate a MyNicolet account.
5. Take care of all class prerequisites, if necessary.
6. Attend the class at Nicolet College.

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Frequently asked questions about Start College Now:

Transcripted Credit

Transcripted Credit allows high school students to take a college-level course at their high school. Transcripted Credit courses are taught by a certified high school instructor, and students will receive technical college credit upon successful completion of their college-level class (C or above). The course is similar to the Nicolet College course taught on campus. There is no cost for Transcripted Credit courses for high school students.

Who is eligible for Transcripted Credit?

Students eligible for Transcripted Credit include recommended high school juniors and seniors who have maintained a high grade point average and are ready for the challenge of a college-level course. They may not have any significant disciplinary problems on their student record.

What steps should students take next?

1. Talk with a high school counselor about their interest in earning early college credit and learn what classes are available to take at their high school.

2. Once enrolled in the class, students should complete the course registration form and return it to their teacher.

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing allows a student to gain tuition-free credit from past high school courses. In order to receive credit, the student must complete the course to specific conditions (i.e., grades, attendance requirements, etc.) and enroll in the technical college within 27 months of graduation. In order to receive credits, there must be a course agreement on file for the Advanced Standing class with both Nicolet College and the student's high school.

It is the student's responsibility to initiate the Advanced Standing process by presenting documentation related to the course. This may include course work, syllabus, exams, or other coursework pertaining to the class. Advanced Standing agreements are transferable to all the schools within the Wisconsin Technical College System, but not necessarily with University of Wisconsin colleges.

Who is eligible for Advanced Standing?

Students eligible for "credit for prior learning" credits include students who have taken an Advanced Standing course at their high school and received a minimum grade of B in the class (C for a dual credit class). In order to gain the college credit, the student must enroll in the technical college within 27 months of graduating from high school.

What steps should students take next?

1. Talk with a high school counselor about their interest in earning early college credit and learn what classes are available to take at their high school.

2. Take the course and earn a B or above. Keep all course documents after the class is over.

3. Graduate from high school and attend a Wisconsin Technical College within 27 months of graduation.

4. Talk with a program academic adviser or instructor to determine if Advanced Standing credits will be granted.