Calhoun Announces Academic Support Scholarships for Dual Enrollment Students

Calhoun Community College is thrilled to announce an exciting scholarship opportunity for eligible dual-enrolled high school students. The college will award $520 scholarships to qualifying students for the 2025 spring semester through its Academic Support Scholarship program.

“This scholarship was designed to support students in achieving their academic goals by providing financial assistance to cover the cost of one 3-credit hour course at Calhoun,” says Wes Rakestraw, Calhoun’s Vice President of Academics. “This opportunity is only available until the funds are exhausted, so students are encouraged to apply soon,” Rakestraw adds.

In 2022, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) decided to support general education courses with dual enrollment scholarship funding, which is how Calhoun was able to launch this new scholarship initiative. “This scholarship not only offers high school students a unique opportunity to access college-level coursework at no cost, but it also makes higher education more accessible to high schoolers,” says Gwen Baker, Calhoun’s Dual Enrollment Director. “We are living in exciting times for higher education, as we continue to make steps toward ensuring that a college education is within reach for every motivated high school student that is interested in dual enrollment,” Baker adds.

This scholarship will help remove financial barriers and empower students to fully benefit from dual enrollment opportunities, further strengthening Calhoun’s partnerships with local high schools and home schools.

To qualify for the Academic Support Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current 10th, 11th, or 12th grader participating in Calhoun’s Dual Enrollment Program and registered for academic classes in the Spring 2025 semester.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Submit a completed Dual Enrollment Course Approval form with a parental signature.
• Note: Students receiving Career and Technical Scholarships are not eligible for this academic award.

In addition to the Academic Support Scholarship, Calhoun continues to offer scholarships for Career and Technical programs, which cover up to two courses per semester for students pursuing these specialized fields. “Our commitment to Career and Technical Education ensures that students gain valuable skills and training while also earning college credit,” adds Baker.

Dual enrollment provides Alabama high school students with the unique opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, setting them on a path toward success. Unlike Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment grades directly impact the student’s college transcript, offering a true college experience. Students can take classes at any of Calhoun's campuses, online, or even at their local high school, providing flexibility and convenience in multiple ways.

For more information about the dual enrollment program or its scholarship offerings, contact Gwen Baker at 256-306-2665.

All media inquiries should contact Calhoun’s Public Relations Team at 256-306-2560 or 256-306-2965.