Counseling Offices

Start College Now & Early College Credit Program

Start College Now (SCN)

Grades: 11, 12

The SCN program allows public high school students, who meet certain requirements, to take post-secondary courses at a Wisconsin technical college. The pupil may earn high school credit, post-secondary credit, or both. 

The following information is subject to change per State of Wisconsin law:

  • If taken for college credit, these grades become part of a student's official college transcript.

  • If your local school board determines a college course is eligible for dual credit (high school and college credit) and it is not comparable to any course offered by the school district, the school district will pay for the course and it will go on your high school transcript.

  • Provides that post-secondary admittance be contingent on meeting entrance requirements and the availability of space.

  • Requires the school district to determine whether the course satisfies state graduation requirements, and what, if any, high school credits are to be awarded to the student.  Students may appeal the district’s determination to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

  • Requires a student application and notification process so that post-secondary planning and reporting may take place within the school district.

  • If taking a course through Start College Now, the student cannot participate in the Early College Credit Program (ECCP) at the same time.

  • If course is approved, district pays for tuition, course fees, and books (only if returned to the school district in appropriate condition); students and parents/guardians pay for incidental costs, items that will become the property of the student, etc.

  • If a student fails the course, they are financially responsible for reimbursing the Iola-Scandinavia School District for fees incurred.

Transportation: responsibility of student / parent.

Timelines for SCN Enrollment:

The application and timelines are determined by the State of Wisconsin and subject to change.

Applications Due: March 1st for fall semester, and October 1st for spring semester.

Applications must be submitted to the school counselor by these dates.

Early College Credit Program (ECCP)

Grades: 9-12

The School Board recognizes the value to students and to the District for students to participate in programs offered by accredited colleges and universities in Wisconsin.  The ECCP program allows public high school students, who meet certain requirements, to take post-secondary courses at a UW institution, or a private, non-profit institution of higher education for which the pupil may earn high school credit, post-secondary credit, or both. 

The following information is subject to change per State of Wisconsin law:

  • If taken for college credit, these grades become part of a student's official college transcript.

  • Provides that post-secondary admittance be contingent on meeting entrance requirements and the availability of space.

  • If your local school board determines a college course is eligible for dual credit (high school and college credit) and it is not comparable to any course offered by the school district, the school district will pay for the course and it will go on your high school transcript.

  • Requires a student application and notification process so that post-secondary planning and reporting may take place within the school district.

  • Transportation: responsibility of student / parent.

  • Allows for the student’s school district to pay the actual cost of tuition, fees, books (only if returned to the school district in appropriate condition), and other necessary materials directly related to the courses. Licensing and exams are not covered by the district. If the student attends a private college, the school district must pay the lesser of: the actual cost of tuition, fees, books, and other materials; or an amount determined by multiplying the statewide share of the cost per high school credit (as computed by DPI) by the number of high school credits taken at the private college.

  • If a student fails the course, they are financially responsible for reimbursing the Iola-Scandinavia School District for fees incurred.

Timelines for ECCP Enrollment:

The application and timelines are determined by the State of Wisconsin and subject to change.

Applications Due: February 1st for summer semester, March 1st for fall semester, and October 1st for spring semester. Applications must be submitted to the school counselor by these dates.