Prepare your students for college and career success with Outlier Dual Enrollment
Nearly 2.5 million high school students take dual enrollment courses every year.1 Yet nationwide access to dual enrollment is uneven, limited by factors like cost, teacher shortages, and lack of transportation.
The combination of Title IV, Part A funding and online dual enrollment courses can overcome these limitations to expand college access in underserved communities. In this article, we’ll discuss what Title IV is, the benefits of dual enrollment, and how to secure Title IV funds.
Title IV, Part A—also known as Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE)—is a $1.3 billion federal grant program with the goal to increase school districts’ capacity to:
As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) passed in 2015, Title IV-A aims to ensure every student is prepared to succeed in the 21st century economy. That includes college and career readiness.
ESSA encourages schools to increase the availability of, and student participation in, dual enrollment courses under Title IV-A’s Well-Rounded Education category. The legislative statute for allowable SSAE activities includes “accelerated learning programs that provide postsecondary level courses accepted for credit at institutions of higher education, including dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and early college high schools.”
So if you’re looking to give your students a head start on their college education, Title IV-A grants can help fund dual enrollment at your school.
Title IV-A funding is distributed to school districts by formula based on their Title I-A allocation.
As part of a school district’s annual Consolidated Application for federal funds, districts must describe how Title IV-A funds will serve schools that:
For more details, review our Title IV-A Grant Planning Guide.
Title IV-A supports a variety of allowable activities. Because funds are distributed by formula at the district level, not the school level, many districts form a Title IV-A Planning Committee to identify stakeholders’ top priorities.
Using Title IV-A grants to fund dual enrollment offers numerous benefits:
Plus, implementing an online dual enrollment program like Outlier by Savvas supports two of Title IV-A’s goals: providing well-rounded educational opportunities and using technology effectively. Online dual enrollment not only expands access to high-quality college courses, but it also improves students’ digital literacy.
To maximize the benefits of Title IV-A funding for dual enrollment, consider these best practices:
For inspiration, consider these case studies of successful dual enrollment programs:
Dual enrollment costs vary widely based on state policies, educational institutions, and specific programs. But it often comes at a discount compared to regular undergraduate tuition.
Many states subsidize dual enrollment through scholarships to students or funding to local education agencies, while others require students to contribute a portion of their tuition.4 Title IV, Part A grants can help offset the costs of dual enrollment, making it an affordable option for your students.
Title IV-A funds go further with online dual enrollment from Outlier by Savvas. These asynchronous, 39-week courses offer unlimited enrollment, with no minimums or maximums. That means any or all of your students can earn college credit right in your high school classroom, on your school schedule—eliminating transportation and scheduling issues. Plus, all course materials are included: no expensive textbooks or out-of-pocket exam fees.
Check out our College Readiness and Career Readiness blog to learn more about the best strategies to prepare your students for high school, college, and beyond.
Outlier Dual Enrollment Courses
Give your students a head start on college with a diverse catalog of online dual enrollment courses worth actual college credit from a top 50 university.
Savvas CTE
Digital courses to equip your students with career-ready skills and resume-boosting certifications.