10 Free Online College Credit Courses for High School Students
Taking specialized courses during high school in your chosen field can boost your college applications by showcasing your dedication to learning. These courses can help you build a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and aligns with your academic interests. Today, online platforms make these courses more accessible, allowing you to explore your interests from anywhere.
In this list, we have compiled 10 online college credit courses you can take in high school that offer scholarships or financial aid!
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here! This program offers credit from the University of California, San Diego Extended Studies.
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Cornell’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) provides online courses for high school students to earn credits and receive an official Cornell transcript. In the winter session, you can take an introductory macroeconomics course. This 3-credit course analyzes national income, unemployment, inflation, and economic growth, exploring the impact of monetary, fiscal, and other policies. Courses are delivered in both live (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) formats, allowing you to engage with Cornell instructors and classmates through video sessions, discussion boards, and assignments. The credits you earn may be transferable to an undergraduate degree at Cornell or other universities, depending on their transfer policies.
Cost: $1,840 per credit. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: December 2 for the winter cohort.
Program Dates: 3 weeks, January 2–18 (winter session —online)
Eligibility: Rising/current high school juniors and seniors over the age of 15 can apply.
OnRamps is an initiative by the University of Texas at Austin, supported by the Texas Legislature, to provide college-level academic opportunities to high school students. One of the available courses is a year-long biology class that covers three main topics: the structure and function of biomolecules, the flow of energy through living systems via photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and the expression and transmission of genetic information within and between cells. The course awards 4 college credits — 3 for the lecture component and 1 for the lab. Students eligible for OnRamps can take the course at no cost, thanks to The University of Texas at Austin’s participation in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program.
Cost: Fully funded for eligible students.
Application Deadline: Based on the high school’s schedule
Program Dates: A year-long course starting and ending with the school year.
Eligibility: High school students should have completed Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or TEKS-based high school biology and chemistry to enroll in this course.
Stanford University’s Online High School (OHS) provides a rigorous curriculum that encourages you to think critically, analyze complex problems, and communicate effectively. The program includes a four-year interdisciplinary core sequence featuring courses such as Methodology of Science — Biology. This 5 credit hour year-long course introduces scientific reasoning, statistical analysis, and philosophical inquiry through biology, focusing on organism interactions, behavior, and foundational concepts in experimental design and data interpretation.
Cost: Financial aid is available.$5,970 for a Single Course | $17,910 for Part-Time enrollment (2–3 courses) | $29,850 for Full-Time enrollment (4 or more courses)
Application Deadline: January 9
Program Dates: September to June
Eligibility: Applicant’s candidacy is evaluated based on their academic ability, personal qualities, and whether they are a good fit.
5. COMP 101- Problem-Solving with Computing | College Credit Plus (CCP) Program at Franklin University
The College Credit Plus (CCP) program is designed for students in grades 7–12. It offers online courses from public and private universities, including Franklin University. COMP 101 teaches problem-solving through computing, focusing on algorithmic thinking, variables, functions, and array processing. The course includes proctored exams. Ohio students can participate in CCP at no cost, covering tuition, books, and fees, with the opportunity to earn up to 30 college credit hours. Before starting your chosen courses, you must complete a required two-credit-hour Basic Learning Strategies course. Additionally, all CCP applicants must take Franklin University placement tests and qualify for WRIT 120, College Writing.
Cost: Free for students who attend public school in Ohio. $166.55 per credit hour otherwise. Learn more here.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who complete an assessment like the ACT or the SAT or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ can apply.
Northwestern University’s College Preparation Program allows high school juniors and seniors to experience college academics and life remotely. One of 2024’s courses included an Introduction to Psychology course. This course provided an overview of psychology, covering topics like behavior, perception, learning, memory, emotions, social influences, and psychological disorders. By taking online summer credit courses, you’ll gain access to the “Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series,” offering co-curricular activities and additional opportunities to enrich your summer.
Cost: $1,795 per course (for the 2–4 week online program). Scholarships are available for domestic students who have completed their junior year.
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: June to August, depending on the course chosen.
Eligibility: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 15 to 17 years of age at the start of the program, completion of sophomore or junior year of high school by the commencement of the program
7. Math 1151: Calculus 1 + Math 1152: Calculus 2 with Ohio State University’s College Credit Plus Program
The College Credit Plus program offers Ohio public middle and high school students the chance to earn dual high school and college credits at no cost. The Ohio State Math Department offers a Flipped and Flexible Calculus course each fall and spring semester for Calculus 1 (Math 1151) and Calculus 2 (Math 1152). In this course, you’ll engage with pre-recorded videos and activities online before class to prepare for the day’s lessons. During class, you’ll work on math problems, participate in discussions, and collaborate with peers. You’ll interact with the instructor through video and chat.
Cost: Free of cost for Ohio state residents. Note that students must meet deadlines set by the state (April 1 for the following school year) to be eligible for funding.
Application Deadline: Autumn semester (August — October): May 1 | Spring semester (January — March): November 1
Program Dates: Courses run according to the University’s semester schedule and are available for the Spring, Summer, and Autumn semesters.
Eligibility: High school students must apply and be accepted to Ohio State’s post-secondary institution, the OSU Academy.
8. SOCI S-162 Sociology of Big Data: Algorithms, Robots, and Digital Societies | Harvard Secondary School Program Online
Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) offers a range of online courses that allow you to earn 4 or 8 credits over a 7-week term. For instance, ‘Sociology of Big Data: Algorithms, Robots, and Digital Societies’ is a 4 credit course that examines the social, economic, and cultural impact of big data. It explores topics like algorithms, AI, cryptocurrency, and digital influencers while addressing issues such as inequality, labor, and political policies. With SSP Online, you can explore your chosen field of study while enjoying the flexibility of remote learning. You can request an official transcript detailing your coursework, grades, and earned credits upon completion.
Cost: $4,050 (4 credits) or $7,900 (8 credits) for the 7-week online program. Need-based scholarships are available to Secondary School Program students.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines in January, February, and April
Program Dates: Typically 7 weeks from June to August.
Eligibility: Students who will graduate from high school and enter college in the next 2 years, are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and will not turn 19 years old before the end of the program may apply.
Oregon State University’s Ecampus offers high school students the opportunity to take various college courses online, including Music Cultures of the World. This course explores global music traditions from Oceania, Indonesia, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It provides 3 college credits. Ecampus offers over 100 courses across disciplines like anthropology, biology, computer programming, psychology, and environmental science, making it a great way to begin your college journey. With a flexible quarter system and asynchronous options, you can tailor your schedule to fit your needs.
Cost: $375 per credit
Application Deadline: November 1 (for winter term)
Program Dates: January 6 — March 21 (winter term). More info here.
Eligibility: Current and recently graduated high school students can apply.
10. ENST-4409–130 Environmental Peacebuilding | Hoya Summer High School Sessions Online at Georgetown University
The Hoya Summer High School Sessions at Georgetown University provide a college experience featuring lectures, class discussions, and talks from guest speakers. The Environmental Peacebuilding course offered online in 2024 explored the link between social and environmental issues, focusing on how environmental challenges can foster cooperation and peace through case studies. During this eight-week online program, you’ll have the chance to take courses alongside undergraduates, with offerings in subjects such as human-machine interfaces, climate change, political theory, calculus, history, marketing, and more.
Cost: $2,207 per credit
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: June 2 — July 25 (summer online)
Eligibility: Current and rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors during the academic year before the summer program can apply.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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