Frequently Asked Questions

Students with IEPs or 504 Plans can receive accommodations through Harper’s Access and Disability Services (ADS), but these services are not automatically transferred from high school. Students must self-disclose their disability to Harper’s ADS office and provide current documentation. Tutoring is not part of disability services but is available to all students through Harper’s academic support centers.

Students must earn a C or better in all courses to remain in the program. Academic integrity is essential; plagiarism or cheating can result in removal from the program. Students must also comply with Harper’s Student Code of Conduct.

Students must follow Harper’s academic policies, including drop/add deadlines and course repetition rules. Once enrolled, students are responsible for managing their registration, grades, and communication with professors.

Students receive guidance from both Harper and their high school. Harper provides academic advising, career counseling, tutoring and workshops. High school counselors continue to support students with schedule coordination and regular check-ins.

Attendance is required at both Harper and the high school. If a student will be absent, they must notify both schools. Transportation is provided during junior year. In senior year, students may opt out of school-provided transportation with parent approval and manage their own travel.

Tuition and fees are $1000 for the two year program ($250 per semester). Waivers may be available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Yes! Students can stay involved at both Harper and their high school. Balancing both environments helps students stay socially connected.

To graduate, students must meet both high school and Harper degree requirements. Harper’s advising team supports students in planning for transfer, sending official transcripts, and aligning credits with their target universities.

No. College Now and Harper Promise are separate programs. Harper Promise begins after high-school graduation, while College Now starts junior year. Students in College Now are not eligible to use Harper Promise for tuition during the program.

Students in the College Now program will not be eligible for the Harper Promise Scholarship. Beginning with the high school class of 2025, credits earned before entering Harper will count toward the 60-credit-hour limit the Promise Program will pay. By completing the College Now program, students will have earned 60 credits and their associate’s degree.

No. College Now students are not eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA) while they are dual credit students. However, they can apply for FAFSA when they graduate and enroll in college as a full-time student.

Students who wish to leave the program must go through a formal withdrawal process and meet with both a high-school counselor and a Harper advisor. They will return to a traditional high-school schedule and receive support to stay on track for graduation.

Yes. The Associate of Arts (AA) degree from Harper is designed to transfer to most public and private universities in Illinois, as well as many out-of-state universities. Students should work closely with Harper advisors to ensure a smooth transition.

Graduates may choose to:

• Transfer to a 4-year university and begin as a junior
• Continue at Harper to complete another program or certificate
• Enter the workforce with a completed degree.

Harper advisors will help students make informed decisions based on their goals.