8 Free Online College Credit Courses for High School Students
Navigating the college application process can be overwhelming, especially with more and more colleges going test-blind or test-optional. One solid way to stand out is earning college credits while still in high school. Taking college-level courses challenges you academically, enhances your CV, strengthens your college applications, and provides a solid foundation for future research experiences.
These courses offer the flexibility to manage high school commitments while earning college credits, demonstrating your ability to handle advanced academic work and making you a more competitive candidate for college admissions.
Recognizing that many programs can be costly, we have compiled a list of 8 online college credit courses for high schoolers that offer financial aid.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs each selected student with a Ph.D. mentor to learn about the field and execute an independent research project. The program involves multiple sessions between you and your Ph.D. mentor, culminating in a final project and a college-level academic paper you will present at a symposium.
Available research areas include mathematics, biology, data science, neuroscience, architecture, classics, law, linguistics, gender studies, psychology, philosophy, and others.
Note: Lumiere has a credit partnership with the University of California, San Diego Extended Studies. If you complete any one of their programs, you will be eligible to receive 3 post-baccalaureate credits and a digital transcript from UCSD Extended Studies!
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) | $5,400 (16-20 weeks). 100% Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Rolling, cohort-based.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics offers 13 advanced courses throughout the year, giving you access to math and physics topics beyond the typical high school curriculum. These self-paced courses allow you to explore your academic passions and develop strong analytical and creative thinking skills. Optional office hours are available for additional support as you progress through the material.
Courses offered include Multivariable Differential Calculus, Complex Analysis, Light and Heat, and Intermediate Mechanics I. You can expect to spend 8-12 hours per week on coursework. Live components of classes happen on Pacific Standard Time. Upon completion, you’ll earn Stanford University Continuing Studies credit and receive an official transcript.
Program Dates: Throughout the year, including summer. January 27 – May 16, 2025, for the upcoming spring term
Cost: $1,600 tuition + $35 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.
Eligibility: 9-12 graders
Application Deadline: January 6, 2025, for the upcoming spring term
Ecampus at Oregon State University provides over 100 courses for high school students seeking college credit. Subjects include anthropology, molecular biology, computer programming, psychology, and environmental sciences, giving you a head start on your college experience.
With year-round classes on a quarter system, the fully online Ecampus program offers flexible scheduling. Additionally, Ecampus provides asynchronous courses for even greater flexibility.
Program Dates: Multiple quarters throughout the year.
Fall Term: September 25 – December 13, 2024
Winter Term: January 6 – March 21, 2025
Spring Term: March 31 – June 13, 2025
Summer Term: June 24 – September 6, 2025
Cost: $366 per credit. See details here.
Eligibility: Current high school students
Application Deadline:
Fall: September 11, 2024
Winter: December 23, 2024
Spring: March 17, 2025
Summer: June 2, 2025
High School Honors is a 6-week pre-college program at Boston University for high school juniors and seniors, offering the chance to earn up to 8 college credits. You can choose from over 80 undergraduate courses across various subjects, studying alongside BU students. Residential high school students can take two courses, while commuter students can choose to take one or two.
In 2024 courses were offered across subjects like Chinese, Film and Television, Statistics, Religion, and Music. The program is taught by BU’s faculty, and you have access to the university’s academic resources. To apply, you must submit your high school transcript, standardized test scores (optional for 2025), two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Program Dates: June 29 – August 8, 2025
Cost: Commuter students (8 credits): $6,830, residential students (8 credits): $10,256. Need-based financial aid is available.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors. Juniors must be in Honors and/or AP classes at the time of application. International students may apply.
Application Deadline: Applications for summer 2025 will open on December 15, 2024.
The College Credit Plus (CCP) program is for students in Grades 7 through 12 who are eager and motivated. It provides access to online courses at public and private universities, such as Franklin University, tailored to students' needs and future college goals. Subjects available include entrepreneurship, information technology, social sciences, and cybersecurity. Some classes may count toward high school graduation requirements.
The CCP program is completely free for Ohio students, with no cost for tuition, books, or fees. You can get a maximum of 30 hours of college credit. Before you can take a course of your choice, you have to take the university’s required Basic Learning Strategies course, a two-credit-hour course. All CCP applicants must take Franklin University placement examinations and be placed into WRIT 120, College Writing.
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Cost: Free for students who attend public school in Ohio. $166.55 per credit/hour otherwise. See details here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 who complete an assessment like the ACT or the SAT or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0+
Application Deadline:
Winter Trimester: November 1, 2024
Summer Trimester: March 1, 2025
Northwestern University's College Preparation Program offers high school juniors and seniors a glimpse of college life and academics from home. By enrolling in online summer credit courses, you gain access to the "Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series," which adds co-curricular activities and opportunities to your summer.
Courses offered in 2024 included “Race, Class, and Gender,” “Archaeology: Unearthing History,” “Highlights of Astronomy,” and “Fundamentals of Computer Programming.” You can choose between synchronous and asynchronous formats and take courses from various schools, all taught by Northwestern's undergraduate faculty.
Program Dates: June to August, depending on the course
Cost: $5,407 per class. Scholarships are available for domestic students who have completed their junior year.
Eligibility:
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
15 to 17 years of age at the start of the program (06/17/2025)
Completion of sophomore or junior year of high school by the commencement of the program
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Bethany Lutheran College's Dual Credit Program lets high school juniors and seniors earn college credit while still in high school. You can take online college-level courses taught by Bethany faculty from home. This program helps you explore college programs, save on future tuition costs, and prepare for college. Courses in a variety of subjects are available, such as healthcare, pre-law, media and communications, and psychology/counseling.
Note: Courses last one semester and cost $1,185 per credit, but students from partner schools pay only $125 per credit through the Bethany Advantage Grant. If you enroll full-time at Bethany after high school, the cost of these dual credit courses is credited toward your first semester's tuition, making them free.
Program Dates: Spring Semester: January 6 – May 9, 2025
Cost: $1,185
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have attended a Bethany Advantage Partner School and have a GPA of 2.8 or higher.
Application Deadline: Spring Semester: November 15, 2024
8. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience.
The program offers college credit through the University of California, San Diego’s Extended Studies program, and full financial aid is available. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the fields of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
$6,900 for both
Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Fall cohort deadline—October 20, 2024
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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.