The High School University Program (HSUP) is an Early College program that allows Utah high school sophomores through seniors to take college-level coursework at the University of Utah. The program is designed for motivated students to enhance their high school curriculum and get a head start on a college career. If you’re an ambitious go-getter, this program is for you. Find your purpose and your people at the University of Utah.
Before You Apply
What is Early College?
The High School University Program is an Early College program, which means students will be earning credit on their college transcript and creating their college GPA. Early College is different from Concurrent Enrollment because students in Early College programs like HSUP may or may not have their college credit applied to their high school requirements. We encourage students to consult with their high school counselor to determine if HSUP classes can meet any high school requirements.
In HSUP, students will join U of U courses with current college students instead of taking CE classes at their high school. Because HSUP students are taking their U of U classes on top of their high school course loads, we limit students to enrolling for up to 9 HSUP credits in any given semester. For permission to enroll for more than 9 credits, students must meet with a Campus Advising Solutions advisor.
What classes can I take?
Because HSUP is an Early College program, we do not have a set list of courses for students to choose from. Instead, HSUP students can take any 1000-2000 level main campus undergraduate courses for which they meet prerequisites, up to 9 total credits per semester.
The format and availability of classes varies from semester to semester, and we cannot guarantee that certain classes will be offered online or in person. Interested students are welcome to browse the main campus undergraduate class schedule to see the format of classes offered for the given semester.
Please note that HSUP students cannot enroll in UOnline courses or Utah Asia Campus courses.
Browse suggested General Education courses for HSUP students or learn more about General Education at the U.
Tuition & Fees
HSUP students receive a discounted tuition rate of $5 for each credit hour in which they enroll.
HSUP students are still subject to class fees, which can be found in the "class fees" section when registering for classes. It is important to note that HSUP students are not subject to mandatory student fees, which means they do not have access to the Student Life Center, campus recreation (e.g., intramural sports, sports clubs, Outdoor Adventure Center), public transit (e.g., UTA Trax, bus, and Frontrunner), university sponsored student activities, athletic events (i.e., student tickets) and some library privileges.
Tuition is paid online and is due approximately one week after classes start. Please note that tuition is manually adjusted, so, after registering for courses, it may take a few days for the tuition amount to reflect accurately. For questions about tuition totals, students should contact HSUP@utah.edu.
HSUP students who qualify for the University of Utah staff tuition reduction must complete the application process in order for the tuition discount to be applied to their HSUP tuition.
Financial assistance via financial aid, grants, and/or scholarships is not available to HSUP students.
For more assistance with tuition & fees, contact the Office of the Bursar:
Phone: 801-581-7344
Email: income@utah.edu
Website: bursar.utah.edu
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HSUP students are considered non-degree-seeking students, which means that they are not actively working toward obtaining a degree. Courses completed as a non-degree-seeking student can be later applied to a degree once a student matriculates (enrolls as a degree-seeking student) to the University of Utah or another institution.
Because HSUP is an Early College program, students who enroll acknowledge that they are ready to take college classes during high school. Early College students complete the same class assignments and requirements as the degree-seeking students who are enrolled in the class. It’s a great opportunity to begin college coursework and build college-level skills early.
Requirements
An applicant for the High School University Program must meet these requirements:
- Successfully complete 9th grade and be able to produce a completed 9th grade transcript by the application deadline.
- Be actively enrolled in a Utah high school or be homeschooled in Utah. Students cannot be scheduled to graduate from high school prior to or during the semester they wish to enroll in HSUP.
- Meet the minimum unweighted GPA requirement developed by the Credits and Admissions Committee. Summer applicants will be held to the GPA requirement for the school year they are completing.
- Seniors: 3.2 GPA or higher
- Juniors: 3.5 GPA or higher
- Sophomores: 3.7 GPA or higher
International students attending a Utah high school on a visa must submit proof of English language through one of the means approved by the Credits and Admissions Committee. HSUP students will follow the guidelines set for freshman applicants. In addition, HSUP students on a student visa will be required to submit a permission letter from the Designated School Official (DSO) at their high school. This letter needs to clearly state that the student has a valid visa status and is permitted to study at the University of Utah for the academic year they applied to. Permission letters can be emailed to HSUP@utah.edu.
To remain eligible for HSUP participation, students must:
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher cumulative University of Utah GPA. GPAs will be checked by HSUP staff each semester. If a student’s University of Utah cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, they will be dismissed from the program.
- Continue to meet the established high school GPA requirements.
- Fill out an HSUP Renewal Form each year. This form will be sent to all active HSUP students at the end of each academic year asking them to upload an updated high school transcript and parent consent form.
- Attend an advising session each year. A link to schedule an advising appointment will be sent when the updated HSUP Renewal Form has been reviewed.
For students studying on an international student visa, we will also require an updated permission letter to be sent to HSUP@utah.edu.
Orientation Requirement
Virtual orientation will be required for all newly-admitted HSUP students. Orientation is important to help students navigate registration, understand key university policies, and understand expectations to maintain HSUP enrollment. Orientation will also discuss the impact of HSUP classes on permanent academic records, help students choose appropriate classes, and understand credit transferability.
Once admitted HSUP students confirm their intent to enroll, they will receive an email about how to register for a virtual orientation. After orientation, once the open enrollment period has begun, HSUP students will be able to register for courses.
Students who continue to participate in HSUP beyond their first year will not be required to attend Orientation again, but they will be required to fill out an HSUP Renewal Form and attend an advising session for each subsequent year of HSUP participation. The Renewal Form will be emailed to students at the end of the academic year. Students will be prompted to upload both an updated transcript and parent consent form with their Renewal Form. Once the form has been reviewed and the student's eligibility to continue with HSUP has been confirmed, students will be sent an email with a link to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. Students will be able to register for courses after completing the advising appointment.
Homeschooled Students
The High School University Program application process for homeschooled students in Utah follows all the same procedures and policies as students who attend high schools in Utah. Homeschool transcripts are usually drawn up by a parent or teacher showing all high school classes grouped together by grade level, and the grades and credits received in each course. If students have attended a public or private high school at any point, we will also require a transcript from that school.
How To Apply
- Complete the High School University Application.
- Upload a signed Parental Consent Form during the application process.
- Upload an unofficial high school transcript in the application portal.
Students who have previously participated in HSUP but have taken a spring or fall semester off and have been discontinued from the program will need to complete a new HSUP application for the upcoming year.
After completing the application, students will need to monitor the status of their application in the application portal. Please note that we will begin processing applications a month before the open enrollment period begins. (Open enrollment dates can be found on each semester's academic calendar.)
Deadlines
- January 1
- Spring semester
- May 1
- Summer semester
- August 1
- Fall semester
Parental Consent Form
HSUP students are required to submit a Parental Consent Form with their HSUP application. An updated form must also be submitted with each subsequent year of HSUP participation, at the time a student submits the HSUP Renewal Form.
What's Next?
Below are the next steps for students who have applied and been admitted into HSUP, so that they can begin classes at the U of U.
Confirm Intent
Once admitted, students must confirm their intent to enroll in their HSUP applicant portal. This step must be completed before students can sign up for orientation, which allows them to register for courses.
Orientation
Upon confirming their intent to enroll, students will be sent an email containing information about registering for virtual orientation. Orientation is mandatory. Once students complete orientation and the open enrollment period has begun, they will be permitted to register for classes.
Register for Classes
As non-degree-seeking students, HSUP students are eligible to register for U of U courses during the open enrollment period for each semester. Open enrollment dates can be found on each semester's academic calendar.
HSUP students may enroll in up to 9 credits per semester. Students can take any 1000-2000 level Main Campus Undergraduate course for which they meet the prerequisites. For any course with a prerequisite, students will need to contact the department sponsoring the course to demonstrate prerequisite completion and obtain a permission code to register.
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Many HSUP students will enroll in math courses that have a prerequisite and require a permission code. Math department permission codes can be requested here.
To request permission codes for other departments, follow this guide:
Staying Eligible
HSUP students are admitted for a full academic year, for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students can remain in the program for each year they are in high school, pending approval of their HSUP Renewal Forms each academic year after being admitted. HSUP Renewal Forms are sent via email in June.
Students must maintain the U of U and high school GPA requirements listed above and submit new Parental Consent Forms each year.
Advising
At any point throughout their time in HSUP, students are welcome to schedule an appointment with a University of Utah advisor. Advisors can offer guidance on class selection, dropping and withdrawing, or long-term class planning.