At no cost, earn college credits on campus while finishing high school!

The Early College program at St. Petersburg College

A unique partnership between St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Schools, the Early College Program offers college credit hours as well as high school credit at no cost to highly motivated students in grades 11 and 12.

Students entering grades 11 and 12 in Pinellas County high schools, as well as private and home-schooled students who meet dual enrollment eligibility standards and reside in Pinellas County, will have the opportunity to attend the Early College Program.

Home school and private school students will be required to enroll in a public high school to participate. Students will remain dual-enrolled in their home high schools (allowing them to participate in all extracurricular activities) and in classes at the college.

Students enroll in 15 credit hours (five college-level courses) each term, leading to simultaneous completion of the high school diploma and the Associate in Arts degree.

Students will obtain their high school diploma from their home high school, and their Associate in Arts degree from SPC. Students who enter at the beginning of their junior year will receive a high school diploma and an A.A. degree after meeting all of the graduation requirements. Students who enter at the beginning of their senior year are eligible to complete 30 credits leading to an A.A. degree while also earning a high school diploma.

There is no cost for application, tuition, courses or textbooks. Anticipated enrollment will be 250 students in grades 11 and 12. Students attend all classes at St. Petersburg College campuses and follow the SPC Academic Calendar.

How to Qualify

• Have a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA or higher.
• Be entering grades 11 or 12.
• Earn satisfactory scores on the College Placement Test (CPT) or SAT/ACT.

Checklist - Application process step by step

Note: Applications are accepted January through March only.

1. Attend an information session. Check this site for upcoming dates and times.
2. Complete a St. Petersburg College application.
3. Complete the College Placement Test.
4. Submit the College Placement Test scores, high school transcripts and application data form to the Early College Program.

Applicants will receive acceptance information from the Early College Program. If you are not accepted, you may apply next year. If the number of applications exceeds the number of openings, students will be chosen in March through a blind, random lottery.

Contact Information