Concurrent Academic Partnership
for Secondary Students

CAPSS is a program for college-bound high school students that provides the opportunity to earn college credit while completing high school.

What is CAPSS?
CAPSS (Concurrent Academic Partnership for Secondary Students) is a program that provides an opportunity for qualified high school juniors or seniors, or other high school students who are classified as “gifted,” with a current Individual Education Plan (IEP), to take advantage of academic college courses and earn college credit prior to graduating from high school. Vocational programs follow a different set of admission guidelines.

What is the advantage of taking college courses while in high school?
Students are able to get an early start on their college career and earn college credit at an affordable price. Often it will keep students from extending their time at a more costly four-year institution.

Can any high school junior, senior, or gifted student enroll in college courses?
No, there are admission guidelines that have been put into place to help promote student success and provide a positive first-time college experience. Minimum G.P.A. and reading levels are required. In addition, English and math courses require college-level performance on writing and math assessments.

What are the admission guidelines for the CAPSS program?
To be eligible to enroll in any general education course, students must:
1) Hold a minimum high school G.P.A. of 2.75 on a four-point scale
2) Meet assessment requirements for enrollment in math & English courses.
3) Meet minimum reading assessment guidelines for enrollment in other general education courses. (ACT reading score of 18 or equivalent proficiency on ASSET or COMPASS assessment instruments.)
4) Complete CAPSS form. Obtain written approval from the high school principal to enroll in college courses.

Where can students take advantage of Cowley College courses?
a) College Campus Classes: Courses taught on a Cowley campus or outreach site by Cowley full-time or part-time instructors
b) Secondary School Site: Courses taught in area high schools during the school day utilizing qualified high school instructors
c) Distance Learning Delivery: Courses delivered via Distance Learning methods (Interactive Television [ITV], Tele-courses, or On-Line).

What are some of the courses that high school students can take advantage of?
Although CAPSS students may enroll in any of the academic courses that the college offers, some of the most common courses students take advantage of are:

Can the college credit that’s earned be transferred to another institution?
Yes. Cowley College has transfer agreements with many four-year institutions in Kansas and surrounding states. How Cowley College courses transfer is set by the four-year institutions, which have guidelines outlining how previous college credit earned will be applied to the student’s program of study. To answer specific transfer questions, it is best to check directly with the institution where the student plans to transfer.

Is there a limit to the number of hours a CAPSS student can take?
Yes. While a participant in the CAPSS program, a student will be expected to maintain part-time student status, which is fewer than 12 credit hours per semester. Any student wishing to enroll in 12 or more hours is required to obtain prior approval from the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Cowley College.

What does a student need to provide to the college in order to be enrolled for classes?
The college must receive the following for each student:
a) A completed enrollment form with principal’s signature
b) An official copy of their current high school transcript reflecting GPA
c) A copy of ACT test scores or complete Cowley assessment
d) Full payment of tuition and fees

Where can students take the necessary assessment tests?
Students may take the ACT on one of the national test dates scheduled on Saturdays periodically throughout the year. If students have not taken the ACT, they may take one of the assessment tests provided by Cowley College. The assessment center at Cowley College administers assessments at some of the area high schools —check with your high school counselor to see if your school participates in this testing option. Students may also schedule an appointment to test at Cowley’s main campus by contacting Terri Hutchinson at (620) 441-5583.

When do students enroll for classes?
Personnel from the college visit most of the outlying high schools to enroll students each semester. Students also can enroll at the main campus or at one of the Cowley College outreach centers. Students should check with their high school counselor to see if enrollment will take place at their high school.

How do students obtain the necessary textbooks?
Students are expected to purchase their own copy of the course textbook, unless otherwise provided by their school district. Many of the outlying high schools choose to have personnel from Cowley visit their site at the start of the fall and spring semesters to sell textbooks and enroll students. High schools located within Cowley County normally purchase their textbooks at the main campus bookstore. The bookstore phone number is (620) 441-5277.

What does it cost to take courses?
The student will be responsible for paying the college the current rate of tuition and fees per credit hour as outlined by college policy. The current rates are published in the current course schedule, on the Cowley College website, or can be obtained from your high school counselor.

Can students obtain scholarships for tuition and fees for the college classes while they are concurrently enrolled in high school?
No. Scholarships are provided only to high school graduates.

What payment options are available if a student can’t afford to pay tuition, fees, and book costs at the time of enrollment?
Cowley College provides the opportunity for students to take advantage of a budget tuition management plan called FACTS. There is a $30.00 non-refundable enrollment fee per semester. This interest-free payment plan allows students or parents to authorize automatic bank withdrawals from a banking account, or charge monthly payments on a credit card. Students can register for the FACTS program on-line or complete a FACTS enrollment form available from the Cowley College business office.