Frequently Asked Questions
What is EKU Now! (top)
The EKU Now! program is designed for high school juniors and seniors within Eastern Kentucky University's service region. This scholarship program provides the opportunity for juniors and seniors to enroll in EKU courses for dual credit--receiving college credit from EKU and high school credit from their high school--at reduced tuition rates. Participating high schools will partner with EKU through a memorandum of agreement. Students who wish to enter this program must coordinate admission through their participating high school.
Who is eligible? (top)
Qualifying students from Bell, Boyle, Casey, Clay, Estill, Garrard, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Lincoln, Madison, McCreary, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Wayne and Whitley County with verification of good academic standing from their principal or guidance counselor are eligible for the program. Students from other Kentucky counties must contact Christine Bogie at christine.bogie@eku.edu, Special Projects Manager, for special approval to participate.
To Qualify:
- You must be a junior or senior in high school within EKU's service region.
- You must have a high school GPA of 3.0 and ACT scores on file with EKU at the time you apply for the program.
- You must have minimum ACT scores of 18 in English, 19 in Mathematics, 20 in Reading and a composite ACT score of 21 at the time of application to the program.*
- Your high school must be a participating partner (check with your guidance counselor).
* KYOTE or COMPASS test scores may be substituted if ACT sub-scores do not meet minimum requirements. SAT equivalencies are also accepted.
How do I apply? (top)
- Complete the EKU Now! Admissions Application (online as a printable application or available from your guidance counselor), Tuition Schedule (PDF format) and submit an official high school transcript (including cummulative GPA and ACT scores). The $30 application fee is waived for EKU Now! students.
- Submit documents to the EKU Now! Administrative Office (Coates CPO 49, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475)
- Receive a letter of acceptance from the Office of Admissions
- Register for and attend a mandatory EKU Now! advising and registration session. Information on these advising sessions is located online at http://now.eku.edu/advising-and-registration.
- Further questions about the EKU Now! Program application process should be directed to the the EKU Now! Administrative Office (Coates CPO 49, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475, 859-622-6532 or email dualcredit@eku.edu).
How early should I apply? (top)
No later than June 15th to attend in the fall term, and no later than November 1st to attend during the spring term. Earlier application is strongly encouraged. Year End GPA and ACT scores must be submitted at the time of application.
The advising and registration sessions occur one week prior to classes beginning in fall and spring. You may register for available seats in classes at that time.
Do I need to take the ACT test before applying? (top)
Yes, the ACT test is required for admission to EKU Now! and you must have an official copy of the scores on file at EKU before you can apply.
You must have minimum ACT scores of 18 in English, 19 in Mathematics, 20 in Reading and a composite ACT score of 21.
KYOTE or COMPASS test scores may be substituted if ACT sub-scores do not meet minimum requirements. SAT equivalencies are also accepted.
What degrees does EKU offer online? (top)
EKU now offers students the opportunity to earn their associate's or bachelor's online degrees from fields as diverse as Fire Science, Psychology and Paralegal Studies.
How will I know what classes I should/can take as part of EKU Now!? (top)
EKU Now! students can register for credit classes that fulfill general education requirements. Class availability will vary according to semester and location. These courses (PDF document) will count toward EKU majors.
All EKU Now! students are required to attend an advising and registration session. During this session, you will meet with staff members from the Office of Academic Advising and the Registrar's Office who will assist you in selecting and registering for classes based on your future plans and interests. Students must meet all course prerequisites.
Please consult also with your high school guidance counselor or principal regarding courses they may recommend for you.
You should alert staff at the advising and registration session if you are currently enrolled in or plan to enroll in AP or IB courses at your high school.
How and when do I register for classes? (top)
All EKU Now! students will register at the advising and registration sessions held on the campus where you will be attending classes. All registration at EKU is completed online and you must go through training before you are given your Registration Access Code (RAC number). See the EKU Now! web site for specific session dates at http://now.eku.edu/advising-and-registration.
How much does it cost to participate in EKU Now!? (top)
Dual Credit tuition is currently $60 per credit hour ($180 for a 3 credit-hour course). This is a savings of $230 per credit hour (a savings of $690 for a 3 credit-hour course). Students who qualify for, and participate in, the EKU Now! Program are eligible to receive tuition waivers, while in high school, that will even further reduce tuition costs based upon whether the students are juniors or seniors, their qualifying ACT scores and the location of the classes. Students are responsible for the full cost of textbooks, parking permits, associated course fees and late registration fees if applicable. (See also: tuition benefits)
Will I earn college credit for the classes I take at EKU? (top)
Yes, the classes taken through EKU Now! are "real" college classes.
This means that as a EKU Now! student you have all the rights and privileges of being a college student in the class. With these rights, though, comes the responsibility of the coursework and grades. The grades earned in classes taken through EKU Now! are the first real grades that you will earn in college. Colleges and universities require that you transfer all college credits you have attempted. Whether you decide to attend EKU or another institution after high school, your EKU Now! grades will go with you--we hope as A's!
Will I earn high school credit for the classes I take at EKU? (top)
Many high schools allow students to enroll in courses at EKU and count those courses toward their high school requirements. Please consult with your high school guidance counselor concerning your school's policy.
Will EKU send my mid-term and final grades to my high school? (top)
All EKU students have a secure web account (EKU Direct), where all their academic records, and much more, may be found. Once midterm and final grades have been submitted by your instructors you may login to EKU Direct to see and/or print your grades at will.
EKU is able, through their partnership with your high school, to communicate both your mid-term grades and final grades to your high school. Parents may consult high school counselors for information pertaining to their student's EKU grades.
As well, you may choose to set up a Web-4-Parent view ony account. Parents with access to this account are able to login to EKU Direct with the EKU generated ID and password to view the screens that the student has given permission for them to see. For more information on Web-4-Parent Authorization, visit: www.registrar.eku.edu/web4parent/.
Final grades are available the Tuesday following the end of the EKU Final Exam week. As all EKU students have access to their grades online, EKU no longer mails any grades directly to you.
Where do I park when I go to classes? (top)
If you are taking classes on the Richmond campus, you will be allowed to park in areas designated for commuter parking (www.parking.eku.edu/). In order to obtain a parking permit, you should complete the information at the "BOSSCARS" link to EKU Direct after registering for classes.
You will receive a bill for your parking permit. If you decide not to continue classes for the second semester of your senior year, you may return your parking permit to Parking Services for a partial refund. If you are taking classes in the spring only, you will be billed a prorated charge for a parking permit. Parking permits will be available for pick-up on campus during the first week of classes.
If you are taking classes at the Corbin, Danville, Manchester or Somerset campuses, you will not be required to purchase a parking permit and may park in any available student parking.
Where do I get my textbooks? (top)
After registering for classes, you may purchase textbook(s) at the EKU Bookstore (www.bookstore.eku.edu/) or any other nearby college bookstores.
If you are attending Corbin, Danville, Manchester or Somerset campuses, you will be able to purchase books online or at these campuses.
I am currently a EKU Now! student during the fall semester of my senior year. How do I register for spring semester? (top)
If you are enrolled in the fall term as an EKU Now! student, you may register for a spring EKU Now! class without having to submit a new application. Although you do not have to reapply, you will need to attend the EKU Now! Orientation/Registration scheduled for your campus prior to the first week of classes. Should you have questions about when to register you may contact the Registrar's Office at 859-622-2320. Be sure to identify yourself as an EKU Now! student.
If you are taking an EKU Now! class in the spring and then wish to take another in the fall term, you will be required to submit a new application and high school transcript prior to the fall application deadline. A new application and high school transcript is required for each subsequent academic year of participation. EKU waives the application fee.
After submitting the new materials, please attend the advising and registration session listed on the EKU Now! website.
Can I take classes through EKU Now! at the Manchester, Corbin, Somerset or Danville Campuses? (top)
Yes, please apply for EKU Now! through the steps described in the previous item, but specify which site you wish to attend. Staff at the Centers will assist you with advising and registration. Please see the link for "EKU Now! Advising and Registration Sessions" at http://now.eku.edu/advising-and-registration for more information and contact numbers.
Can I take classes for more than 3 credit hours as a EKU Now! student? (top)
Students must follow the EKU Now! guidelines pertaining to the maximum number of courses and tuition. In most cases, qualifying students may take a maximum of two courses (pending availability). These courses are not limited to a specific number of credit hours, but must be selected from the list of approved dual credit general education courses. Dual credit tuition may apply. (See also: tuition benefits)
You are responsible for the cost of the textbook(s) and any associated course fees. You must also purchase a parking permit to park on the Richmond campus.
EKU Now! students may enroll in more classes than those covered by the EKU Now! scholarship program. However, if you wish to register for additional, non-EKU Now! classes, you must be admitted separately and enroll in these classes as a "High School Special" student.
If you will be both an EKU Now! student, and a High School Special student please note the following:
- High School Special students pay full tuition for their classes (not dual credit tuition).
- High School Special students may begin registering for classes on the same day as freshmen and other non-degree seeking students.
- High School Special students may enroll in as many credit hours as they desire and will be billed per registered class.
- High School Special students may enroll in summer classes. EKU Now! classes are available only in the fall or spring terms.
- All students, both EKU Now! and High School Special, must meet any stated course prerequisites.
- EKU Now! students register for their classes at a later date than High School Special students. If you are a High School Special student and you apply to participate in the EKU Now! Program [and receive the tuition waiver(s)], you may not register for the EKU Now! course until the stated EKU Now! orientation/registration session each semester.
- If you are only an EKU Now! student and you register for more courses than eligible through the EKU Now! program, you will be billed full tuition for the extra classes.
- If there isn't a class that fits your desired schedule during the appointed EKU Now! orientation and registration date, the tuition waiver cannot be extended to any classes you registered for prior to that date. Any registration done prior to the EKU Now! registration date must be done as a High School Special student and those classes are billed at full tuition rates.
What is required to continue participation in EKU Now!? (top)
Continued participation in the EKU Now! Scholarship program is dependent upon successful completion of courses. You are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative EKU GPA. If you earn a "D" or "F" grade, you may not continue participation until you have repeated the "D" or "F", earning at least a 2.0 term GPA. If you elect to repeat a course, you should contact the Office of the Registrar for registration assistance. Courses repeated are subject to full dual credit tuition (no scholarships apply).
Further questions about the EKU Now! Program application process should be directed to the EKU Now! Administrative Office, 859-622-6532 or email dualcredit@eku.edu; or The Office of Academic Advising & Retention, 859-622-2276 or e-mail advising@eku.edu.