Career and Postsecondary Partnerships → Dual Enrollment → Jump Start to College Pathway Sample

**IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT**

On June 4, 2026, the Board of Education approved a budget that included a $1,400,000 reduction of the recommended 2026-2027 Dual Enrollment funding which pays for student tuition, fees, and books for courses taken in our dual enrollment programs.

As a result of this reduction, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, MCPS will fund costs related to approved college courses and the required dual enrollment tuition, fees, instructional materials and textbooks only for students who meet the state's College and Career Readiness (CCR) standards under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation. This goes into effect for all students as of July 1, 2026.

Please be patient as we update the program information contained in these websites and communicate with students and families who are registered for a college course in Fall 2026 and are directly impacted by this change. Note that this announcement supersedes any other information about who qualifies for MCPS-funded dual enrollment. 

Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions about this change.

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JumpStart to College General Information

• Jumpstart to College Information Session Recording, and Presentation Slides.

Financial Information

Beginning in the winter of the 2024-25 academic year:

• Jumpstart to College (JTS):
  • MC college courses approved at Montgomery College will be available for MCPS dually enrolled students in JTC at NO COST during the fall and spring. Montgomery College (MC) semesters for a maximum of 2 college courses per semester.
  • All required costs related to college tuition, fees, required textbooks, and required instructional materials will be covered by MCPS and MC during the MC fall and spring semesters for a maximum of 2 college courses per semester. 
  • JTC students may enroll at MC in more than 2 MC courses at their own expense.
  • JTC students may enroll at MC during the winter and summer MC semesters at their own expense. 
  • JTC students must be enrolled in a minimum of 4 courses per semester in any combination between courses at MC and MCPS in the MCPS fall and spring semesters.
  • JTC students may retake MC courses, with approvals, during the summer semester only.

JumpStart to College Pathway Sample

 Invest in your future now and get a jump start on your college degree and career!

The Jumpstart to College Pathway is an opportunity for high school students to earn college credits using dual enrollment opportunities available through our partnership with Montgomery College (MC) to meet high school graduation requirements and begin their journey toward success in college and beyond.

A few quick facts to know about Jumpstart:

• Students taking advantage of the Jumpstart Pathway must take prescribed English, mathematics, science, social studies, and all other courses required for a Maryland high school diploma.
• All college courses on the approved list may be used to earn dual credit; dual credit allows students to receive high school and college credit for each college course successfully completed.
• College course grades that appear on the high school transcript will count for advanced level credit when calculated into the weighted GPA, just like Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses.
• Students who take select AP and International Baccalaureate courses and score high enough on the respective course examination, may be able to earn college credit for specific college courses.
• Each student’s enrollment in any MC course is dependent on the student meeting all requirements, prerequisites, and assessment levels for the course as determined by MC. 
• Students interested in participating in the Jump Start to College program should begin the process by talking directly to their High School counselor.   

The sample pathway below is one example of how students can earn a minimum of 30 college credits prior to high school graduation. Students may take more or fewer courses than the sample illustrates depending on the student’s preference. All interested students should jump start their journey by speaking with their high school counselor or Dual Enrollment Program Assistant.

MC course titles and descriptions can be found at: https://catalog.montgomerycollege.edu/  

College courses in this pathway approved for High School Credit can be found here.

Additional Jumpstart to College Pathway Samples:

• Jumpstart to College:  Biotechnology  
• Jumpstart to College:  Business  
• Jumpstart to College:  General Engineering 
• Jumpstart to College:  Mathematics