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.
- 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.
- DO NOT FILL OUT PERMIT TO ENROLL IF THE COURSE IS OFFERED AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN 7 AM - 3 PM. CONTACT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR FOR THE CORRECT CCAP FORM.
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
Important Information:
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spring semester classes will be fully online. Difficult-to-convert
labs, activity, and performance courses will include face-to-face instruction on campus
with strict safety and hygiene protocols. Details posted in Class Finder and Course
Welcome Letters.
- Synchronous: Online courses, identified as SLEC or SLAB in Class Finder, require participation on specified days and times. Instructor will guide student through course activities just as if attending in-person. Students will need to obtain an approved Schedule Conflict Petition to enroll in overlapping classes.
- Asynchronous: Online courses, identified as DLEC or DLAB in Class Finder, which students work at their own pace to complete course tasks by assigned deadlines; students are not required to be online at a given time, though are expected to regularly log into their courses.
To add or drop classes, login to the myCuesta portal. Click on the Student Registration Services portlet or icon. Click on "Register (Add/Drop Classes)".
If you are being charged fees please complete the following exemption request form: Apply Here
For all Spring 2020 courses, 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.
- Join our virtual office during normal hours to meet virtually with an Enrollment Success Specialist.
- Call (805) 546-3952. The phone lines are extremely busy during COVID-19, so please leave a detailed message and we will promptly return your call.
Enrichment Timeline
| Task | Date(s) | Procedural Steps | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for Spring 22 | October 1, 2021 - January 9, 2022 | Apply via CCCApply | 48 Hours |
| Complete Permit to Enroll | October 1, 2021 - January 9, 2022 |
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 | October 29, 2021 | Search Classes | |
| Register for Classes | December 3, 2021 - January 16, 2022 |
Students register for courses via myCuesta student portal. A registration guide can be found here. |
Immediate |
| Classes Begin | January 18, 2022 |
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
- 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 (January 19, 2021).
- 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. Click on the Student Registration Services portlet or icon. Click on "Register (Add/Drop Classes)."
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 Add Classes Worksheet and then select "Submit Changes."
A student's enrollment in a waitlist seat will appear on their myCuesta Schedule/Receipt
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 Disabled Student Programs and 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.
Contact Outreach and Enrollment Services for assistance at admit@cuesta.edu
