Students collaborating on assignments, using a laptop, notebooks, and textbooks in class.

Dual Enrollment at Foothill College

Get a Head Start on College - For Free!

Take College Classes While in High School

High school students enrolled in grades 9-12 can enroll in Foothill College classes for free.

Dual Enrollment at Foothill College gives motivated high school students the chance to experience college early—earning both high school and college credit at the same time. Most Foothill courses are free for special admit students, letting you explore majors, build career skills, and save thousands on future college costs.

You’ll learn from Foothill’s college faculty, access campus resources, and gain confidence in your ability to succeed in a college environment long before graduation. With the right planning and support, dual enrollment can accelerate your path toward a certificate, associate degree, or transfer to a university.

Student meeting with admissions staff, reviewing enrollment documents at campus office.

Admissions and Records

A & R Help Form

Student Services Building 8100, Room 8101

(650) 949-7325

How it Works

  • Enrollment - Students apply to Foothill College, then submit a Special Admit form with required signatures from a parent/guardian and high school principal or administrator. You may also need to attach an unofficial transcript and meet course prerequisites.
  • Course Options & Location - Take classes on campus, online, or at your high school (for participating partners). All courses follow Foothill’s academic standards and are taught by Foothill College instructors or approved high school teachers.
  • Credit Earned - Earn transferable college credits at the same time as you earn high school credits. These units count toward future degrees and can significantly reduce the time and cost it takes to meet your academic goals.

Dual Enrollment FAQs

Follow Steps to Enroll

  • Once you receive your student eight-digit CWID, begin the Dual Enrollment process, by filling the appropriate Dual Enrollment Form on these links.
  • Foothill High School Student Dual Enrollment form.
  • Foothill Outreach CCAP and MOU Partnership form.
  • You can also find these forms by logging into your MyPortal Account. Click on Apps in the left menu and select the Adobe Sign Student Forms App. 
  • Under the Student Webforms select the appropriate Dual Enrollment form.
  • You must complete the special admit form each quarter that you enroll in classes at Foothill, even if you took classes last term.
  • Once you receive your student eight-digit CWID, begin the Dual Enrollment process, by filling the appropriate Dual Enrollment Form on these links.
  • Foothill High School Student Dual Enrollment form.
  • Foothill Outreach CCAP and MOU Partnership form.
  • You can also find these forms by logging into your MyPortal Account. Click on Apps in the left menu and select the Adobe Sign Student Forms App. 
  • Under the Student Webforms select the appropriate Dual Enrollment form.
  • You must complete the special admit form each quarter that you enroll in classes at Foothill, even if you took classes last term.
  • Attach a copy of your current unofficial high school transcript to the dual enrollment form. This is used to verify attendance in high school. This does not clear students for prerequisites. Please see policies below.
  • Submit all documents through the Adobe Sign Form.
  • We'll get back to you in three to five business days. 
  • Register for your courses through MyPortal using the Course Record Number (CRN).
  • Many of our English, Math, and Science courses have prerequisite requirements. Contact our Assessment Center if you have any questions.
  • Foothill College waives enrollment and all other fees for dual enrollment as long as you do not take more than 11 units during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters (six units in the Summer). 
  • The cost of textbooks, other course fees such as materials fees, and parking fees are not waived.

Review Dual Enrollment Policies

All high school students are required to fulfill course prerequisites in order to demonstrate the current readiness for enrollment in a course. The college has the authority to drop high school students from any course, if prerequisites have not been met.
  • Basic fees are waived on top of the $31 per unit charge. The cost of textbooks, other course fees such as materials fees, and parking fees are not waived.
  • High school students who are considered international students for tuition purposes will pay international student fees. Students residing outside of California will also pay non-resident tuition. F-2 Visa holders are also expected to pay tuition fees.
  • Any dual enrollment student taking 11 units (six in the summer) or more at either Foothill College, De Anza College, or combined is considered a regular full-time student and will be charged all fees.
  • Students interested in taking excess units should contact Anthony Cervantes, Admissions & Records Supervisor, for additional information at Cervantesanthony@fhda.edu.
  • High school dual enrollment students may enroll in up to 11 units in the fall, winter and spring quarters and six units in the summer session
  • Since the implementation of CA Assembly Bill 705 (AB705), Foothill College uses multiple measures—high school transcripts and guided self-placement assessments—to make recommendations for taking your first Math, English, ESLL, and Chemistry courses. The Testing & Assessment Center can assist you in finding the right course placements.
  • Once a student enrolls at Foothill College, all rights to access student education records belong to the student.
  • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents Foothill College staff and faculty from releasing any student information to friends, family, or others, regardless of the age of the student.
  • Grades earned in college courses become part of the student's permanent college transcript.

Many Foothill courses are transferable to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. These courses are noted in the course catalog.  

Visit the Transfer Center for more information.

We also offer a variety of workforce preparation programs, such as Business, Child Development, Dental Assisting, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Graphic and Interactive Design, Music Technology, or Theatre Technology among others. 

See a list of our CTE programs.

Also for High School Students

Foothill College offers several early college and dual-enrollment programs for qualifying high school students in partner districts, including the Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Fremont Union High School District. These programs allow motivated students to explore college-level coursework, earn transferable college credit, and begin building a college transcript while still in high school.

Three students studying together, using a laptop and notes in a collaborative campus space.

Middle College

Foothill Middle College is an alternative high school program where you earn high school credit while taking Foothill College courses and building a real college transcript. Designed for bright, college-bound students, the program offers a challenging and independent learning environment.

https://chatgpt.com/c/69b2fcf0-5a90-832e-913e-3e9e2b119b08

College Now!

The Mountain View Los Altos High School District and Foothill College have collaborated on a new program - College Now! - so that qualifying juniors and seniors can start college early and graduate from high school with a year or more of transferable college credit.

Group of students working on math problems with laptops and textbooks in a classroom.

Firebird Academy

Firebird Academy is a partnership between Foothill College and the Fremont Union High School District. Explore college and career pathways at Foothill College during your Sophomore year. Subjects include Child Development, Digital Marketing, Geospatial Technology, Music Technology and more.

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