College & Success Coach
Success Coaches provide a personalized student support system for information, advice and encouragement. Rio Salado College Dual Enrollment is the only program within the Maricopa Community College District with Success Coaches on staff! Success Coaches are there to maximize the college credit that is being earned in the form of core classes or potentially a degree. Reach out to the Success Coaches to help you make an academic plan for success.
Success Coaches are available to meet with students and parents (in-person or online) to discuss the best path towards earning an Associate degree or Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) Certificate. Find out which Dual Enrollment classes to take now or in the future that can be applied toward a college certificate or degree.
Let them know who the student is, what their MEID number is, which high school they're attending, and provide a phone number for a success coach to call them back.
Dual enrollment provides many benefits for Arizona high school students, including earning college credit, saving money on tuition and faster degree completion. There is also evidence that dual enrollment increases a student’s academic performance and educational attainment.
Benefits of Dual Enrollment
1. Earn High School and College Credit at the Same Time
Dual enrollment is a program that allows eligible students currently attending Maricopa County public schools and participating private and charter schools to simultaneously enroll in college courses.
Earned Rio Salado College credits count toward high school graduation and can be applied to a college degree or certificate.
2. Be College Ready
Dual enrollment provides quality learning opportunities by helping high school students prepare for college. The student's high school to college transition begins early in a familiar and comfortable environment.
According to a recent study from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University, 88% of dual enrollment students who took community college courses in high school continued pursuing college after high school, with most achieving a degree or transfer within six years.
3. Save Money on Tuition
Dual enrollment courses are cost effective with students getting low community college tuition rates. Qualifying students may receive tuition assistance based on financial need.
High schools usually pay for dual enrollment college textbooks. Dual enrollment students usually only pay tuition. Tuition for dual enrollment courses is the same at all Maricopa Community Colleges and significantly less than the typical four-year college.
4. Earn a College Degree in Less Time
Taking college classes while a student is in high school reduces the amount of credits needed for a degree when the student eventually pursues college full time. Students can usually graduate or transfer earlier.