Start Your Future Early!
Morton College’s (MC) Early College programs provide in-district high school students with the opportunity to begin earning college credit while still completing their high school education.
All Early College programs are offered at no cost to students. Morton College covers tuition, fees, and required books and supplies.
Early College opportunities are offered in partnership with J. Sterling Morton High School District 201, including students from:
J. Sterling Morton East High School
J. Sterling Morton West High School
J. Sterling Morton Alternative School
Dual Credit
Early College Programs
-
Dual Credit allows qualified high school students to enroll in college-level courses taught at their high school by instructors who are approved to teach at both the high school and college level. These courses align with Morton College’s curriculum and academic standards.
Students who successfully complete a dual credit course earn both high school and Morton College credit at the same time.
Dual credit courses are held at the student’s high school during the regular school day, not on Morton College’s campus.
Dual Credit courses follow the high school academic calendar and are offered during the fall and spring semesters.
-
Because these are college level-courses, the academic expectations are higher than those of a typical high school class.
Grades earned in Dual Credit courses:
Are permanently recorded on both the high school transcript and the official Morton College transcript.
Affect the student’s college grade point average (GPA):
If a student attends Morton College after high school:
they will begin with the GPA earned through their MC Early College coursework (Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment).
If a student attends another college or university:
the credit may transfer, but the GPA typically does not transfer.
students are required to submit official transcripts when applying to most institutions, and prior coursework may be considered during the admissions process.
A grade of “C” or higher is required to earn college credit.
Grades below a“C” will not award college credit, but the grade will remain on the college transcript.
Removal of grades below a “C” is only possible if the student withdraws from the course before the official withdrawal deadline. In those cases, the grade will appear as a “W” (Withdrawal) on the college transcript. A “W” does not affect a student’s college GPA.
Students have 10 days from the start of the course to drop the class without receiving a “W” on their transcript. After the 10th day, students who withdraw before the official withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” on their college transcript.
Multiple withdrawals may impact future financial aid eligibility depending on institutional policies.
During the first week of class, high school instructors will review dual credit academic policies, including withdrawal deadlines. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these policies.
-
Complete the Early College Application
[WIP}
Dual Enrollment
-
Dual Enrollment allows qualified high school students to enroll in Morton College courses while still completing high school.
Dual Enrollment courses are taught by Morton College faculty and are offered in-person on Morton College’s campus, online, or in a hybrid format, depending on the course. After school
Students who successfully complete a Dual Enrollment course earn Morton College credit. Students may enroll in up to two Dual Enrollment courses per semester during the fall, spring, and summer terms.
-
Because these are college courses, the academic expectations are higher than those of a typical high school class.
Grades earned in Dual Enrollment courses:
Are permanently recorded on the official Morton College transcript.
Affect the student’s college grade point average (GPA):
If a student attends Morton College after high school:
they will begin with the GPA earned through their MC Early College coursework (Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment).
If a student attends another college or university:
the credit may transfer, but the GPA typically does not transfer.
students are required to submit official transcripts when applying to most institutions.
prior coursework may be considered during the admissions process.
A grade of “C” or higher is required to earn college credit.
Grades below a“C” will not award college credit, but the gradewill remain on the college transcript.
Removal of grades below a “C” is only possible if the student withdraws from the course before the official withdrawal deadline. In those cases, the grade will appear as a “W” (Withdrawal) on the college transcript. A “W” does not affect a student’s college GPA.
Students have 10 days from the start of the course to drop the class without receiving a “W” on their transcript. After the 10th day, students who withdraw before the official withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” on their college transcript.
Multiple withdrawals may impact future financial aid eligibility depending on institutional policies.
These policies will be reviewed during Dual Enrollment orientation, including withdrawal deadlines. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these policies.
-
Complete the Early College Application
View Available Course Offerings
[WIP]
Summer Bridge Scholars
-
The Summer Bridge Scholars Program (SBSP) is an 8-week academic program designed for rising seniors (the summer before senior year) or recent high school graduates (the summer directly after graduation).
The program includes two cohorts—rising seniors and recent graduates—who enroll in the same courses and participate in a structured college experience that supports academic success, college readiness, and career exploration.
In addition to coursework, students participate in engagement days, which may include study halls, workshops, campus tours, field trips, and other activities. Students also receive a loaner laptop to use throughout the program, and breakfast/lunch is provided on select days.
The Summer Bridge Scholars Program provides students with opportunities to:
Develop a network of peers, staff, and faculty at Morton College.
Complete a total of 6 college credits.
Utilize Morton College resources across campus, including Career Services, Financial Aid, and additional student support services.
-
The Summer Bridge Scholars Program is designed for students preparing to transition from high school to college.
Students may be eligible to participate if they are:
A rising high school senior (the summer before senior year), or
A recent high school graduate (the summer immediately following graduation)
Participants must be able to commit to the 8-week program schedule and enroll in the designated Summer Bridge coursework. Students who are unable to meet attendance expectations will be dropped from the program.
Additional placement or enrollment requirements may apply depending on the courses offered each summer.
-
Because these are college courses, the academic expectations are higher than those of a typical high school class.
Grades earned in Summer Bridge coursework:
Are permanently recorded on the official Morton College transcript.
Affect the student’s college grade point average (GPA):
If a student attends Morton College after high school, they will begin with the GPA earned through their MC Early College coursework (Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment and/or Summer Bridge).
If a student attends another college or university, the credit may transfer, but the GPA typically does not transfer. However, students are required to submit official transcripts when applying to most institutions, and prior coursework may be considered during the admissions process.
A grade of “C” or higher is required to earn college credit.
Grades below a “C” will not award college credit, but the grade will remain on the Morton College transcript.
Removal of grades below a “C” is only possible if the student withdraws from the course before the official withdrawal deadline. In those cases, the grade will appear as a “W” (Withdrawal) on the college transcript. A “W” does not affect a student’s college GPA.
Students have 10 days from the start of the course to drop the class without receiving a “W” on their transcript. After the 10th day, students who withdraw before the official withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” on their college transcript.
Multiple withdrawals may impact future financial aid eligibility depending on institutional policies.
These policies will be reviewed during Summer Bridge orientation, including withdrawal deadlines. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these policies.
-
Summer Bridge Scholars Program – Summer 2026 Cohort
The 2026 Summer Bridge Scholars Program will take place Monday, June 8 – Thursday, July 30.
Students meet four days per week.
Monday & Wednesday – Course Days
Students attend their scheduled Summer Bridge courses. Students should plan to be on campus beginning at 9:00 AM for program check-in, with courses typically starting at 9:30 AM.
Course schedules vary depending on the classes students are enrolled in. Some courses may be offered online or in a hybrid format, and in those cases, students may not have in-person class meetings every Monday or Wednesday. When courses meet in person, they will not extend past 12:30 PM.
Tuesday & Thursday – Engagement Days
Engagement days include study halls, workshops, field trips, and other student success activities!
Engagement days typically take place from 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, though some activities may extend beyond 12:30 PM depending on scheduled field trips.
Individual course schedules will be shared with students after acceptance into the program.
Required Orientation (Pre-Program)
An in-person orientation is required and will take place Monday, June 1, 2026.
During orientation, students will:
Receive their loaner laptops
Test their Morton College login credentials
Review important program information
Lunch will be provided.
Additional details and an RSVP form will be sent to admitted students.
-
[Coming soon]
