Apply for Early College or Running Start
What is Dual Credit?
Dual Credit is a program that allows high school students to enroll in college classes, and earn credit toward high school graduation and a college degree.
There are several different dual credit programs in Hawaiʻi that academically qualified high school students can participate in. The two most common dual credit programs are Early College and Running Start. The comparison chart below outlines some of the big differences between the two programs.
Dual Credit Opportunities
| Early College | Running Start | |
| Do I earn dual credit? | Yes | Yes |
| Where do I take my class(es)? | High School Campus (typically) | College campus |
| Who teaches my class(es)? | College faculty | College faculty |
| Who’s in the classroom with me? | Other high school students | Other college students (with a variety of ages and experiences) |
| Who pays for the class(es)? | High School (typically) | Varies:
Student/Family, High School, or a Scholarship |
| What courses are offered? | High school determines course offerings (check with your high school counselor) | Listed on the UH Catalog |
| Learn More about Early College | Learn More about Running Start |