Admission Process Links

Get an Early Start on College

Northern Kentucky University invites you to earn college credit while you are still attending high school.  Apply as an Early Enrollment student, take classes on NKU's campus and receive your first class for free.*

 Do you qualify for Early Enrollment?

• You have completed your sophomore year of high school by the time college level classes are taken
• You have a minimum ACT or PLAN composite score of 20 or an SAT or PSAT combined math and verbal score of 940 
• You have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
• You have submitted permission to enroll form from a high school principal or guidance counselor, as well as parent/guardian
• You meet all prerequisites for the specific NKU courses in which you intend to enroll (For some courses, prerequisites include minimum ACT or SAT sub-scores in English, math or reading.)
• To remain eligible to take college level courses prior to high school graduation you must maintain a 2.50 college GPA 

To be considered for early enrollment at Northern Kentucky University, you must submit the necessary credentials.

• Application for Early Enrollment
  The Early Enrollment  Application is available to download and print online.  If you wish to take more classes in another semester as an early enrollment student you must submit a new early enrollment application each semester.  If you wish to gain admission as an entering freshman to NKU you will want to visit the How To Apply  page and apply online for admission as a new student.

• Permission to Enroll Form
  In addition to the application you will need to complete a Permission to Enroll Form.  You will need both your parent or guardian and your high school principal or guidance counselor's signature.    If you wish to take more classes in another semester as an early enrollment student you must submit a new permission to enroll form each semester.

• Pay the $40.00 Application Fee (non-refundable)   
  There is a non-refundable $40.00 application fee.  This is a one time fee.  A fee waiver may be requested in instances of financial hardship if accompanied by a letter from a high school counselor or principal; or certification of financial assistance by a case worker affiliated with a state agency.  If you choose to apply as a entering freshman to NKU your application fee will be waived. 

• Submit Official High School Transcript
  You will want to request an official high school transcript from your guidance counselor.  Home-schooled and independent study students should submit a notarized transcript detailing the content of the curriculum and the duration of each subject.

• Submit ACT, PLAN, SAT, or PSAT Test Scores
  You must submit standardized test scores.  NKU will accept these scores from the test agency, your official high school transcript or your official score report.

NKU brings classes and professors to select high schools in the community through a program called School-Based Scholars.  Students can earn up to 12 credit hours taking classes at their high school, NKU's Covington Campus or Grant County Center for a reduced rate taught by NKU professors.  To learn more about the School Based Scholar program at your high school contact Barbara Hedges, Program Director, NKU Educational Outreach, 859-572-6577.

*Students who want to participate in both programs (Early Enrollment and School-Based Scholars) during the same semester are only eligible for reduced tuition in one program.