High School Enrichment
Cuesta College High Enrichment Program allows currently enrolled high school students to earn College credits. The Enrichment program is available to any high school student, who in the opinion of their school principal or high school administrator, would benefit from "advanced scholastic" or "vocational" college coursework offered at any Cuesta campus published in the online Class Finder schedule, which is open to the public and adult learners. Qualified students on their own accord, with the approval of their guardians and high school principal or administrator, apply and register under the Enrichment Program.
Here is why Cuesta College High Enrichment Program is right for you!
- California High School students are not charged the $46 per unit enrollment fee.
- Cuesta College has 36 Associate Degrees that guarantee admission to a California State University (Cal State)
- We offer over 1,000 courses to help you earn college credit toward a degree, certificate and/or transfer.
- Decrease the amount of time needed to complete a four year degree after graduating from high school.
High School Enrichment Enrollment Steps
All students must submit a new Cuesta College application for each semester/term you plan to attend Cuesta as a high school student. Submission of a college application is required to activate registration.
Applying is easy and FREE! Complete and submit the California Community College Application using the CCCApply website.
Once the application is complete, students will receive an Acceptance email from admit@cuesta.edu with instructions on how to complete the remaining steps.
First time applying?
You will need to create a CCCApply account before starting your Cuesta College application. Keep your CCCApply username and password in a safe place. After creating your CCCApply account, you are ready to apply to Cuesta College.
Important Information:
- The application is best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, not your phone.
- Utilize Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Do not use Safari or Internet Explorer
How to Apply?
Once you have applied and received the college's "Welcome to Cuesta" instruction email, you are ready to set up your student account in myCuesta.
How to set up your myCuesta account:
Click on the myCuesta logo at the top of this webpage then -
- Enter your username & temporary password (new cuesta students only).
- Returning students already have a myCuesta account, and just need to reactivate it.
- If you remember your username and password, you can reactivate your account now.
- If you do not remember your username and password, select "Forgot Password?",
- Enter your username
- Select "Reset Forgotten Password"
The Online Orientation is designed to provide you with information about college procedures, programs, support services and policies. Please give yourself about 15 minutes of quiet time to complete this step.
Important Information:
- This is a one- time orientation. (Returning students are not required to complete the orientation).
- The orientation is best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, not your phone.
- Utilize Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Do not use Safari or Internet Explorer.
- You must use your Cuesta College student ID number. Do not mistake this number for your CCC apply number, a confirmation number or your high school student ID number.
Submission of a Permit To Enroll form is REQUIRED for each semester/term you plan to attend as a high school student.
Consult with your high school counselor for recommendations and approval of degree-applicable course(s) to enroll in.
Students must log into their myCuesta Student Portal to access the Permit to Enroll form.
Complete the Permit to Enroll now!
Review our Permit to Enroll Guide for guidance: Permit to Enroll Guide
Important Information
- Parents/Guardians will have to create a dynamic forms account to digitally sign the Permit to Enroll. You will be prompted to create an account after receiving an email to complete the Permit to Enroll.
- Parents/Guardians Dynamic Forms Portal Access: Log In Here
- How To View and Sign Permit To Enroll:
- The Permit to Enroll is to be completed by the student and authorized by their principal/high school counselor and parent/guardian to enroll at Cuesta College.
- Allow five (5) days processing for data entry of approved courses from Permit to Enroll, which can be confirmed in myCuesta under “Registration Status.”
- Before submitting this form, the student must complete the first three steps detailed above.
- The Permit to Enroll does not register a student nor guarantees a seat will be available in courses requested at the time of registration.
- IF THE COURSE IS OFFERED AT YOUR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL WITHIN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, BETWEEN 7 AM - 3 PM, CONTACT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR FOR THE CORRECT CCAP FORM. PRIVATE SCHOOLS, SUCH AS MISSION COLLEGE PREP, ARE UNDER THE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROCESS.
Students register via their myCuesta Portal after the Permit to Enroll has been approved and processed by Cuesta College.
Follow the following directions to register for classes: Registration Directions
Enrichment students, concurrently enrolled in grades 9-12, who have completed an admissions application, orientation, Permit to Enroll, and have met all course prerequisites/age restrictions, are eligible to enroll for courses on their assigned registration date. Please check student planning calendar for all critical dates: Student Planning Calendar
Enrichment students are restricted from registering in designated courses with age restrictions: https://www.cuesta.edu/admissionsaid/apply/studenttype/dualenroll.html
To add or drop classes, login to the myCuesta portal. Click on the Student Self Service portlet or icon. Click on "Register for Classes."
- How to Register (PDF) or video tutorial
- How to Drop a Class(PDF) or video tutorial
Enrollment Fees and Student Representation fee are waived. Student pays the following fees if applicable:
- Course material fee(s) - posted in Class Finder or course syllabus
- Health Services Fee
- Parking Permit
- Cuesta College Student ID Card
If you are being charged fees please complete the following exemption request form: Apply Here
It is very important that you read the instructor’s WELCOME LETTER for each class you register for, in order to be aware of the type of class you're in. Read your Instructor's welcome letter for information about their class, such as their required textbooks(s), instructional materials, important dates, proctored exams, or other course requirements.
Visit the Online Education Support page to find a list of available student resources, Canvas guides and software to help with the transition to online learning.
Need Assistance?
Help is provided online and by phone. Here is how you may contact us:
- Email admit@cuesta.edu at any time.
- Contact an Enrollment Success Specialist via Live Chat.
- Call (805) 546-3140: During peak times, please leave a detailed message with name, Cuesta student ID number, return phone number and we will promptly return your call.
Enrichment Timeline
| Task | Date(s) | Procedural Steps | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit Admission Application |
Spring 2023: 10/01/2022-01/08/2023 Summer 2023: 04/01/2023-06/03/2023 Fall 2023: 10/01/2022-08/07/2023 |
Apply via CCCApply | 48 Hours |
| Complete Permit to Enroll |
Spring 2023: 10/01/2022-01/08/2023 Summer 2023: 04/01/2023-06/03/2023 Fall 2023: 10/01/2022-08/07/2023 |
Step 1: Student completes Permit To Enroll and submits. *New students complete enrichment orientation Step 2: Parent recieves Permit to Enroll via email for authorization and digital approval. Step 3: High School Counselor/School Administrator authorizes and digitally approves student for enrollment at Cuesta College. |
*Processing time is dependent on orientation completion, Parent, and High School Counselor/Administrator digital approval. Allow up to 5 business days after all signatures are collected. Once approved students will recieve email confirmation to their Cuesta student email account. |
| Class Schedule Available |
Spring 2023: 10/28/2022 Summer 2023: 03/24/2023 Fall 2023: |
Search Classes | Clear prerequisites, if applicable, for designated math, English, or science courses. |
| Register for Classes |
Spring 2023: 12/7/2022-01/15/2023 Summer 2023: 04/25/2023-06/11/2023 Fall 2023: |
Students register for courses via myCuesta student portal. A registration guide can be found here or view video tutorial. |
Immediate |
| Classes Begin |
Spring 2023: January 17 Summer 2023: June 12 Fall 2023: |
Online courses - Access courses via myCuesta student portal by selecting the Canvas portlet button. In Person courses - Show up to the listed classroom and campus location at the time and date provided on your class schedule. |
Enrichment Program FAQs
- If you have not recieved an email from Cuesta Forms, please log in directly to Dynamic Forms.
- Parents/Guardians Dynamic Forms Portal Access: Log In Here
- New Parents, please create an account using the email address indicated on your student's permit to enroll.
- How To View and Sign Permit To Enroll:
- Enrollment in Kinesiology (physical education) Activity courses is not allowed.
- Textbook(s) and course supplies are purchased by the student from the Cuesta College bookstore.
- Designated courses are restricted by age as of the start of term enrolling.
- View List of Age Restricted Courses
- Student may seek approval via a Petition for Enrollment of Age-Restricted Courses.
- Maximum credits up to 11.0 for spring/fall terms and 9.0 credits for summer.
- Enrollment Fee, Non-Resident*, and Student Representation fee are waived. Student
pays the following fees if applicable:
- Course material fee(s) - posted in Class Finder
- Health Services Fee
- Parking Permit
- Cuesta College Student ID Card
Important Information
- If you are being charged fees, please complete the exemption request form: Apply Here
- International students are subject to pay nonresident fees.
- Complete description of fees
- All Cuesta College courses can be found via Class Finder.
- To add or drop classes, login to the myCuesta portal and Student Self Service portlet
or icon. Click on "Register for Classes."
- How to Register (PDF) or video tutorial
- How to Drop a Class (PDF) or video tutorial
When a student registers online in myCuesta, he/she will be offered a waitlist seat (if available) for a closed/full class. The waitlist is only available before the class meets during open online registration.
To enroll in a waitlist seat, the student must select "Wait Listed" under the Action drop-down option in their myCuesta Summary and then select "Submit."
A student's enrollment in a waitlist seat will appear in myCuesta with a status of WL or Waitlisted.
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects privacy of a student's educational records by placing limits on whom may have access to student records which includes grades. Cuesta College complies with FERPA and has strict policies and procedures in place governing student records. Because students who are participate in the Enrichment program are Cuesta College students (even if under 18), Cuesta College does not permit access to their educational records or disclose information to anyone (including parents).
Important Information
- More details about FERPA can be found here: FERPA Regulations
- To confirm student's identity via phone or in-person, should a student forget to bring photo identification, student's may complete a release authorization available in myCuesta. Students may also authorize a third party access to their student records.
- Cuesta College offers services to students with disabilities through our Disability Support Programs & Services (DSPS) Office. Student should contact DSPS directly to get more information.
- Applications are processed in the order received. Applications are reviewed and processed within 3-5 business days after submission, during regular business hours.
Please Note the Following:
A submission of a permit to enroll is only step one in the process for processing and clearing students for registration. The following things must occur before a student may register for Cuesta courses:
- Parent signs permit to enroll
- High School Counselor or Administrator approves permit to enroll.
- Cuesta College checks students eligibility
- Student is cleared and notified via email they are cleared to register for courses.
This process can take up to 5 business days.
- Corequisite: A course a student must enroll in at the same time as, or complete prior to, enrolling in the desired course.
- Prerequisite: A course that a student must pass with a "C" or better before enrolling in the more
advanced course. With department approval, equivalent skills or prior experience a
student possesses may also be accepted as a prerequisite for a course.
- Submit an official transcript and complete a Prerequisite Clearance Form to clear course pre-requisites.
Note for Parents
Student's Right to Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 protects the privacy of a student's education records by placing limits on whom may have access to the records, what information may be shared or disclosed, and how that information may be used. Cuesta College complies with FERPA and has strict policies and procedures in place governing student records, because students enrolled in the High School Enrichment program are considered college students (even if underage), Cuesta College does not permit access to their education records or disclose information to anyone (including parents).
This means that if calling, emailing, or visiting Cuesta College to get any kind of student record information, the enrolled students MUST be the person of contact. We cannot give any student record information to parents or guardians, regardless of the student's age. Students may authorize a third party access to their student records, by completing a FERPA release authorization.
How Does High School Credit Work?
High School Enrichment students take college courses. This means that Cuesta College does not make equivalencies to high school courses. Some high schools may give credit for out courses to meet high school graduation requirements, and we highly suggest you speak to your students high school counselor for more information.
College Credit and Atmosphere
All courses attempted in the High School Enrichment program will become part of the student's permanent college record, including the corresponding credit and GPA.
High School Enrichment students may be exposed to material you may deem unsuitable. However, Cuesta College instructors must teach based on the requirements of the course and have the academic freedom to teach in manner appropriate for the course.
Challenge by Pupils in Grades 6-8
Students in grades 6-8 who are certified as "highly gifted" by their school district may request to attend Cuesta College concurrently. "Highly gifted pupil" means a gifted and talented pupil who has achieved a measured intelligence quotient of 150 or more points on an assessment of intelligence administered by qualified personnel or has demonstrated extraordinary aptitude and achievement in language arts (english), mathematics, science, or other academic subjects, as evaluated and confirmed by both the pupil’s teacher and principal.
Approval of enrollment of students who have not completed 8th grade shall be made by the Director of Outreach and Enrollment Services, Aaron Borgeson.
Enrollment Steps
Submission of a Challenge form is REQUIRED for each semester/term you plan to attend as a high school student.
Required Approval and Documentation
- Student's Teacher & Principal approval. The Challenge form will request the name and email of the a Teacher and Principal for approval.
- Submission of one of the following:
- WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) IQ test as an assessment measurement of intelligence to be performed at the school of origin or by a licensed psychologist;
- Previous grades on academic records, test scores of STAR, Common Core;
Once all signatures are obtained. The Director of Outreach and Enrollment Services or designee will schedule a meeting with a parent and student. The Director of Outreach and Enrollment Services, Aaron Borgeson or designee will determine if the student has the abilities and sufficient preparation to benefit from instruction and whether the student's safety and that of other students will not be affected by their enrollment. Determination may be done by applying on or more of the following:
- A review of previous grades on academic records, test scores of STAR, Common Core;
- Meeting with the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s);
- Consideration of the welfare and safety of the student and other students;
- Consideration of local, state, and/or federal laws;
- Review of the content of the class in terms of sensitivity and possible effects on the student (age restriction courses);
- Requirements for supervision of the student and/or location and/or meeting times of the class(es).
myCuesta Pathway Advisory:
Dual Enrollment student are assigned a unique program/major designation of HS_ENRICHMNT that may not be changed while a Dual Enrollment student. Use the "What if" feature.
