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Since 2019, AAF has paid tuition to ALL students to pay for up to 3 dual-credit academic courses per semester. Through our partnerships with Gila Community College, and Payson High School, students in the Payson Unified School District, including home school students, can take college classes for FREE. Payson High School provides FREE books and lab fees. Students who maintain a B average in dual-credit courses may continue to receive dual-credit tuition in subsequent years until they graduate high school. The procedure for taking advantage of this opportunity is easy:
- Talk to your high school counselor.
- Take and pass the free Accuplacer placement test to qualify for college classes.
- Complete college paperwork to be admitted as a college student.
- Sign a FERPA release form so that AAF can track your performance.
- Tuition is paid in full by AAF, and PHS provides the required textbooks, resulting in no out-of-pocket cost for the student.
So essentially, you can earn between 9 to 12 credit hours of college classes per semester for FREE. Register Now!
Commonly Asked Dual Enrollment Questions
What is dual credit?
All Payson High School (PHS) students are eligible to enroll in Gila Community College (GCC) dual-credit courses through a very unique opportunity that is supported by the Aspire Arizona Foundation (AAF). This program is designed to encourage all students to enroll and gain college-level experience and credits while still in high school. All tuition is paid for enrolled students for up to 3 courses per semester.
What are considered dual-credit general education courses?
These courses receive college and high school credit. Aspire Arizona Foundation covers transferable general education courses including but not limited to English, math, history, chemistry, psychology, biology, physics, and Spanish.
Where are dual-credit courses held?
Most students will take dual-credit courses at Payson High School. The dual-credit course fits directly into their high school schedule.
Students can also take classes after school at Gila Community College or online. Students looking to take courses at the college or online should contact Gila Community College directly to register and receive dual-credit tuition. Please note that not all dual-credit classes qualify for the AAF Scholarship.
Can I still participate if my student is homeschooled?
Yes, homeschool students who live in the Payson Unified School District can still receive funding from the Aspire Arizona Foundation. Rather than working with a Payson High School Counselor, the parent and student will work directly with Gila Community College to take placement testing and enroll in courses.
Are dual-credit courses transferable?
All college-level general education classes are taught by a Gila Community College certified instructor on the Payson High School campus. Courses are fully transferable to all of the Arizona state colleges and universities.
Students planning to attend out-of-state colleges and universities, will need to check on the transferability of these courses with those schools, but to date, all credits have been transferable.