ASU and ACT team up to give students a head start on college success, saving time and money

High schoolers in 11 states can now earn college credit in high-school, risk free

For many high school students, preparing for college can feel uncertain — filled with forms, deadlines and decisions. But now, students in 11 states have a new way to begin that journey early by earning real college credit from Arizona State University while still in high school.

Through a new collaboration between ACT and ASU, students can explore college subjects, strengthen their applications and save time and money on their degrees, all through ASU Universal Learner Courses, a flexible and affordable way to begin college-level learning risk free. Universal Learner Courses are an online portfolio of 75+ first- and second-year ASU courses designed by expert faculty at ASU, one of the top-ranked public research universities in the country.

As part of this initiative, ASU is waiving its standard $25 enrollment fee for eligible students in Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia.

“ACT has long been a trusted resource for students and families as they consider post-high school opportunities,” said Andrew Taylor, senior vice president at ACT. “This partnership with ASU gives students and parents more options. It turns a test score into a way to explore, see what college will expect of them and earn credit from a top university to strengthen their college application.”

A pathway to higher education

ASU Universal Learner Courses give high school students a practical way to get ahead — earning real, transferable college credit while still in high school. Each course costs just $425 in total ($25 to start, $400 only if students are happy with their grade).

With more than 75 first- and second-year courses to choose from that taught by ASU faculty, students can:

Save time and money by earning credits early
Strengthen college applications with real ASU coursework
Explore different subjects to discover potential majors
Build confidence in their ability to succeed in college

How it works

After taking the ACT, eligible students will receive an email from ASU with instructions for how to access the voucher. They will send their score report to “Learning Enterprise ULC” using a step-by-step instruction form. Then the high school students can create an account and use a special code to redeem the voucher, and choose from a range of courses including:

The courses are online and self-paced, making it easy for students to integrate them into their busy schedules. Cohorted options are also available for those who want live instruction from ASU faculty.

Redefining the first step

ASU’s Universal Learner Courses are part of a broader effort to lower barriers to higher education. To date, ASU has already supported more than 1.2 million learners worldwide in pursuing education on their own terms, and the Universal Learner Courses are accessed by learners in more than 150 countries.

This collaboration with ASU demonstrates a new model of access where learners don’t wait until “after high school” to start building confidence and college credit. Instead, the journey begins the moment they’re ready, whether that’s in the classroom or after an ACT exam.

“For many students, the biggest hurdle isn’t the academics — it’s believing they belong in college,” said Scott Weatherford, ASU’s executive director of Universal Pathways. “These courses help them see what’s possible. They create a pathway to college that builds confidence, saves time and makes the goal feel closer than ever.”