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OnRamps Dual Enrollment Courses
NEISD provides online dual enrollment courses via OnRamps from the University of Texas at Austin for high school students in San Antonio, Texas. These college-level classes, created by UT Austin in 2011, give NEISD students the ability to earn transferable college credits with early access to advanced curriculum. OnRamps also helps remove obstacles to higher education by teaching effective study habits, independence, and communication abilities. By partnering with the University of Texas, NEISD expands academic opportunities and eases the transition to university for students.
Earn College Credit in High School with OnRamps
OnRamps courses allow high school students to take college-level courses and potentially earn college credit. Students do not need to complete any placement assessments or college applications to enroll in OnRamps courses. However, some courses may have prerequisite requirements to ensure students are fully prepared for the material. View the specific courses below for details on any prerequisites needed.
NEISD high schools provide a variety of OnRamps courses to earn college credit during high school. Course offerings vary by campus location.
OnRamps courses currently available through NEISD include:
- Arts & Entertainment Technologies
- Biology & Lab
- College Algebra
- Computer Science
- Physics I & Lab
- Physics II
- Precalculus
- Rhetoric (Fall and Spring Semester)
- U.S. History (Fall and Spring Semester)
Check with your specific NEISD high school for details on which OnRamps courses they offer each school year. Planning ahead allows students to maximize college credits earned through OnRamps.
How Dual Enrollment Works for NEISD Students
OnRamps dual enrollment allows San Antonio high school students enrolled at NEISD to take college-level courses online while receiving support from their school.
Students enroll concurrently in two linked courses:
- A high school class taught by an NEISD teacher who receives specialized training in the best academic practices utilized today.
- An online college course taught by a University of Texas course instructor.
NEISD students earn separate grades for each course, keeping the work and grading independent. Both classes challenge students with rigorous educational content to prepare them for college through developing skills like time management, critical thinking, and academic independence.
Earn Transferable College Credit with OnRamps
Students can earn transferable college credit by taking OnRamps courses while in high school. To qualify for college credit, students must meet minimum grade requirements or test scores on the TSI, TSIA 2.0, ACT, or SAT.
Students choose whether to accept or decline the college credit based on their goals. Accepted credits appear on an official university transcript with the final letter grade, which may impact college GPA depending on policies. Declined credits do not generate a transcript or affect financial aid.
College credits earned with a C- or above that meet Core Curriculum standards are guaranteed to transfer to any public college or university in Texas by law. Private and out-of-state schools also often accept transfers, following their own policies. Learn more about earning college credit with OnRamps.
Requesting College Transcripts
OnRamps students will not automatically receive a college transcript from UT Austin. Planning ahead and requesting transcripts is important for students wanting college credits earned through OnRamps during high school to transfer to other colleges. The transcript is proof of completed college credits that may apply toward degree requirements. Starting Thursday, June 15, 2023, eligible students who earned and accepted college credit for OnRamps courses can request an official transcript through the UT Austin Registrar.
The Registrar charges a $20 fee per transcript, which is a UT residential fee, not an OnRamps or NEISD fee. Students who need a letter verifying OnRamps enrollment or non-attendance at UT Austin before June 15 can request it through this form. The same form can also be used to request a letter verifying OnRamps grades or credits.
Compare AP, Dual Credit, and Dual Credit for Earning College Credits
Advanced Placement
Dual credit
Dual Enrollment
Description
AP courses allow high school students to take college-level classes. Students can potentially earn college credit by passing exams and other coursework.
Dual credit courses allow high school students to concurrently earn both college credit and high school credit for a single class.
The OnRamps dual enrollment program enables students to simultaneously earn high school credit and separate transferable college credit from UT Austin.
Description
Advanced Placement
AP courses allow high school students to take college-level classes. Students can potentially earn college credit by passing exams and other coursework.
Dual credit
Dual credit courses allow high school students to concurrently earn both college credit and high school credit for a single class.
Dual Enrollment
The OnRamps dual enrollment program enables students to simultaneously earn high school credit and separate transferable college credit from UT Austin.
Credit
High school credit is earned by successfully passing the course with a minimum 70% grade. Most colleges offer college credit and/or placement for qualifying AP exam scores.
Both high school and college credit are awarded when students pass the dual credit course with at least 70%. The college determines the number of college credits granted, typically through San Antonio College for academic dual credit.
High school credit is earned by passing the OnRamps course with a minimum 70% grade. UT Austin faculty award college credit if students get a D- or above in the college portion. Students then choose whether to accept the college credit.
Credit
Advanced Placement
High school credit is earned by successfully passing the course with a minimum 70% grade. Most colleges offer college credit and/or placement for qualifying AP exam scores.
Dual credit
Both high school and college credit are awarded when students pass the dual credit course with at least 70%. The college determines the number of college credits granted, typically through San Antonio College for academic dual credit.
Dual Enrollment
High school credit is earned by passing the OnRamps course with a minimum 70% grade. UT Austin faculty award college credit if students get a D- or above in the college portion. Students then choose whether to accept the college credit.
Teachers & Instructors
AP courses are taught by high school teachers trained by the College Board.
Dual credit courses are taught by high school teachers who meet qualifications to serve as adjunct college professors.
Dual enrollment OnRamps courses are co-taught by qualified high school teachers and University of Texas at Austin faculty. The high school portion is taught in-person along with distance learning from UT Austin.
Teachers & Instructors
Advanced Placement
AP courses are taught by high school teachers trained by the College Board.
Dual credit
Dual credit courses are taught by high school teachers who meet qualifications to serve as adjunct college professors.
Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment OnRamps courses are co-taught by qualified high school teachers and University of Texas at Austin faculty. The high school portion is taught in-person along with distance learning from UT Austin.
College & University Acceptance
AP scores are accepted for college credit nationwide. However, credit policies vary by college so students should verify individual requirements.
Dual Credit hours transfer to public colleges and universities in Texas. Students should verify transfer policies at other in-state and out-of-state schools.
Dual Enrollment credit transfers to Texas public colleges and universities. Students should confirm transfer policies at other in-state and out-of-state institutions.
College & University Acceptance
Advanced Placement
AP scores are accepted for college credit nationwide. However, credit policies vary by college so students should verify individual requirements.
Dual credit
Dual Credit hours transfer to public colleges and universities in Texas. Students should verify transfer policies at other in-state and out-of-state schools.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment credit transfers to Texas public colleges and universities. Students should confirm transfer policies at other in-state and out-of-state institutions.
Location & textbooks
AP courses are held at high schools, with curriculum and teaching materials provided by the district.
Dual credit classes take place in high schools. Course content and resources are jointly furnished by the district and partner college.
OnRamps dual enrollment occurs in-person at high school campuses plus online. UT Austin and/or NEISD supply the curriculum and educational assets.
Location & textbooks
Advanced Placement
AP courses are held at high schools, with curriculum and teaching materials provided by the district.
Dual credit
Dual credit classes take place in high schools. Course content and resources are jointly furnished by the district and partner college.
Dual Enrollment
OnRamps dual enrollment occurs in-person at high school campuses plus online. UT Austin and/or NEISD supply the curriculum and educational assets.
Academic Rigor
Standardized AP curriculum is set by the College Board, which reviews and approves course syllabi.
Course syllabi undergo review and approval by specific academic departments at Alamo Colleges.
Through distance learning, students receive the same identical instruction as taking the course at the UT Austin campus.
Academic Rigor
Advanced Placement
Standardized AP curriculum is set by the College Board, which reviews and approves course syllabi.
Dual credit
Course syllabi undergo review and approval by specific academic departments at Alamo Colleges.
Dual Enrollment
Through distance learning, students receive the same identical instruction as taking the course at the UT Austin campus.
Cost
Instruction is free. Exam fees are set by the College Board. Subsidies may be available to help cover costs. Students are responsible for exam fees and sending scores to colleges.
Classes have no tuition cost. Students cover any transcript fees from the partner college.
Courses have no tuition fees. Students are responsible for transcript costs from UT Austin.
Cost
Advanced Placement
Instruction is free. Exam fees are set by the College Board. Subsidies may be available to help cover costs. Students are responsible for exam fees and sending scores to colleges.
Dual credit
Classes have no tuition cost. Students cover any transcript fees from the partner college.
Dual Enrollment
Courses have no tuition fees. Students are responsible for transcript costs from UT Austin.
High School GPA Impact
Rigorous college-level curriculum earns weighted grades based on NEISD policies.
Challenging college-level content receives weighted grades per district standards.
Demanding university-level material qualifies for weighted grading under district guidelines.
High School GPA Impact
Advanced Placement
Rigorous college-level curriculum earns weighted grades based on NEISD policies.
Dual credit
Challenging college-level content receives weighted grades per district standards.
Dual Enrollment
Demanding university-level material qualifies for weighted grading under district guidelines.
College Transcript Impact
Individual colleges and universities evaluate AP scores for credit based on their institutional policies. Students send AP scores, which can grant college credit or placement.
Partner colleges permanently record grades on transcripts. Students must submit all transcripts when applying to any college, since failing marks cannot be removed.
University of Texas - Austin transcripts must be requested to document earned college credits, which factors into cumulative GPA from UT. Transfer policies will still differ across educational institutions.
College Transcript Impact
Advanced Placement
Individual colleges and universities evaluate AP scores for credit based on their institutional policies. Students send AP scores, which can grant college credit or placement.
Dual credit
Partner colleges permanently record grades on transcripts. Students must submit all transcripts when applying to any college, since failing marks cannot be removed.
Dual Enrollment
University of Texas - Austin transcripts must be requested to document earned college credits, which factors into cumulative GPA from UT. Transfer policies will still differ across educational institutions.
Eligibility
Open to all students, though some APs have suggested prerequisite courses to prepare. Students should be ready for college-level curriculum.
Students must pass the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test and submit a college application to qualify.
No testing or application needed to enroll, but some courses require high school prerequisites. Students should be ready for college-level online learning.
Eligibility
Advanced Placement
Open to all students, though some APs have suggested prerequisite courses to prepare. Students should be ready for college-level curriculum.
Dual credit
Students must pass the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test and submit a college application to qualify.
Dual Enrollment
No testing or application needed to enroll, but some courses require high school prerequisites. Students should be ready for college-level online learning.
