Frequently Asked Questions

If You've Got Questions 

. . . We've Got Answers

• Who can participate in dual enrollment at De Anza College?

  You can participate if you are

  • Enrolled in high school grade 9, 10, 11 or 12, or
  • Enrolled in an adult education program offered by a California school district 

• How do I enroll?

  You should consult with your high school or adult school counselor before applying and enrolling at De Anza.

  • High school students will need permission from a parent or guardian, and your high school principal
  • Adult school students will need approval from their adult school administrator, counselor or transition adviser 

  Next, you should visit our main Dual Enrollment webpage for step-by-step instructions.

• Why take dual enrollment courses instead of Advanced Placement?

  With dual enrollment, you can earn college credit by completing the course – without any additional testing required. College credit will appear in your college transcript and may be transferable to other colleges and universities. (Learn more about transferring credit.)

  Plus: With dual enrollment, you get the experience of taking college classes, taught by college instructors, with other college students. 

• Will I need to pay any fees?

  You won't be charged enrollment fees if you take no more than 11 units in a quarter, or no more than six units in summer, at De Anza or Foothill College (or the two colleges combined).

  • You will still have to pay for textbooks, except in certain courses offered to Fremont Union High School District students.
  • You may have to pay fees for other things, such as parking on campus.

• Is there transportation available to and from the De Anza campus?

  Yes! While you're enrolled at De Anza, you are eligible to purchase a SmartPass for a small fee, which you can use for unlimited rides on VTA buses and light rail – all quarter long! 

• Can I participate in dual enrollment if I am undocumented?

  Yes! De Anza is committed to providing education for all students, regardless of their immigration status. You'll find resources on our Undocumented Students webpage.

• What are course prerequisites?

  A prerequisite is a requirement that you must meet before you can take a particular course. For example, you might be required to take one or more courses, in a certain order, before you can enroll in a more advanced course.

  • In some cases, there may be a way to satisfy the requirement without taking a prerequisite class. 
  • Once you have met the requirement, the prerequisite is considered to be "cleared."
  • In most cases, our registration system will block you from taking a course if you have not met the prerequisites. If it doesn't, you can still be dropped from the course later if you have not met the prerequisites.

• Do I need to take an assessment?

  You will need to complete our assessment process if you plan to take English, Math, or any course that has an English or Math prerequisite.

  • Most students can be assessed on the basis of their high school transcripts.
  • You can learn more about this process by visiting our Assessment Center website.

• Can I get tutoring at De Anza?

  Yes! While you are enrolled at De Anza, you'll have access to free online tutoring as well as in-person tutoring through the Math, Science and Technology Resource Center, the Writing and Reading Center and the General Subjects Tutoring program, among others.  

• Can I drop a course after I've registered?

  Yes, but don't just stop going to class. You must log into MyPortal and follow the online steps to formally withdraw from a course.

  • For a standard, 12-week class, you can drop during the first two weeks of the quarter and have no grade recorded. (The deadline to drop will vary for shorter classes and summer classes.)
  • If you drop after that deadline, you may receive a W, I or other undesirable grade.
  • To drop a class, log into MyPortal and open the Apps page to click on the "Student Registration" tile, and then click on the “Add or Drop Classes” link.

• Where can I find important dates and deadlines? 

  You'll find important dates and deadlines for standard, 12-week classes listed on the academic calendar. For shorter-length classes, you can check "View Your Class Schedule" inside MyPortal to find important deadlines.

• Can I meet with an academic counselor at De Anza?

  Yes, after your application is processed, you can meet with one of our counselors for questions about your college courses, career services, certificates and degrees and transfer questions. You must apply first and get your CWID (your 8-digit De Anza student ID number) before you can meet with a counselor.

  For questions about high school requirements, see your high school counselor.

• Is there a GPA requirement?

  There is no GPA requirement for individual courses. However, you should talk with your high school or adult school counselor if you feel you are struggling with a class. Your instructors at De Anza will be treating you expecting you to complete work at a college level.

• Can I get credit that will transfer to universities?

  Most courses are transferable, but you should consult with a counselor to confirm individual courses. At De Anza, the course number usually indicates the following:

  • 1-49: Credit is transferable to University of California campuses
  • 1-99: Credit is transferable to California State University campuses
  • 1-199: Credit can be applied to an associate degree at De Anza

• How will college grades be added to my high school record?

  You will need to request transcripts if you want your grades sent to your high school or to another college or university. You can request an official transcript online or use MyPortal to print your unofficial transcript. 

• Will I be considered a transfer student by four-year schools?

  If you're planning to attend another college or university after high school, you should apply as a freshman and indicate that you have completed college courses while in high school.

  However, many students decide to continue at De Anza after graduating from high school, to complete their transfer requirements. In that situation, you would then apply to the four-year school as a transfer student. You should contact our Transfer Center for additional information. 

  Note: The courses you take at De Anza will appear on your permanent record and must be reported to any other college or university to which you apply.

• I have an IEP at my high school. Can I get accommodations at De Anza?

  Since your IEP only applies to high school classes, you will need to follow the process at De Anza for accommodations here. Please contact our Disability Support Services office for more information and assistance.

• Can my parents see my De Anza student records?

  When you enroll in a community college, you are considered a regular college student under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) – regardless of your age – which means we won't  release your student information to parents or others without your prior written consent.

• Who can I contact for more information?

  You can contact our Admissions office for information or assistance. Visit the Admissions and Records Office website for details on how to speak with someone in person, on Zoom or via their online contact form.