Early College Access Program (ECAP) Requirements

Did you know eligible Maryland public school students can take classes at AACC for free while they are still in high school? That's right!

Eligible students who submit an ECAP form approved by their school will not be charged tuition or fees and will not have to pay for textbooks or other required course materials. Be sure to discuss courses that interest you with your parent or guardians. You should also check with your high school counselor to see which courses you're eligible to take. If you select a course that is not eligible for ECAP benefits, complete the Maryland Public High School Tuition Discount Request Form to request a 25% tuition discount for credit classes.

Eligible Maryland homeschooled students and students that attend a private Maryland school can take classes with a 25% tuition discount for credit classes. Learn more about course options.

Note: Graduating seniors are not eligible for ECAP discounts for summer term courses.

ECAP eligibility requirements for high school students taking classes at AACC:

• 16 years or older, or meeting additional admissions requirements*
• Application for admission to AACC
• Completed and signed ECAP form approving ECAP benefits for each course and or tuition reduction request form submitted to [email protected]. 
• Meeting course prerequisites (see our college catalog)
• Register for classes approved on the ECAP form.

*Students under 16 years old must meet AACC's criteria for Gifted and Talented including demonstrating ENG-101 eligibility, meeting with the director of admissions, Cassandra Moore, as well as permission of department prior to enrolling in a course.

To Enroll in ECAP

If you wish to enroll in ECAP, follow the five steps below:

1. Complete an AACC Application

All Maryland public school, homeschool and private school students must apply to AACC. When completing the online application, be sure to:

• Select Apply Online.
• Use only your legal name – no nicknames.
• Enter your birthdate mm/dd/yyyy.
• For Educational Goal, select I am here to take classes while I am a high school student.
• Select Nondegree seeking.
• Be sure to select your correct high school.
• Set a password that is at least six characters and remember your username/password.

Once you submit your application, you will receive a welcome email and a second email that contains your AACC ID number, PIN and username. Be sure to keep this information safe. The link in the email will expire so you should immediately click it and set up your MyAACC account. Your MyAACC account allows you to register, view financial aid, view and pay your bill, view your grades, request a transcript and communicate with AACC.

If you have trouble setting up MyAACC, email [email protected] or call 410-777-4357. For help with the online application, reach out to [email protected] or 410-777-2246.

2. Course Selection

Before registering for classes, you'll need to select eligible courses determined by AACPS and complete the ECAP form. You should discuss course selection and your eligibility for ECAP benefits with your high school counselor. Our admissions team can assist with course selection, including prerequisite requirements. Visit AACC's Course Search to select courses, dates, times and formats that work with your school schedule.

If you need assistance with selecting courses and enrolling at AACC, attend an ECAP Information Session. During these sessions, you'll learn about:

• Dates, times, formats and eligibility for the courses you select
• How to register for your courses in MyAACC
• Student support services and resources

Find your admissions officer or contact our office at 410-777-2246 or [email protected]. 

If your course has any prerequisites:

• Ask your school for a copy of your transcript and email it to [email protected].
• Email your ACT, SAT and any IB or AP scores to [email protected]. You can find these scores on the College Board website or from your AACPS high school Naviance site. If you haven’t taken a placement test but need to, learn how to do so with our testing office.

For AACPS and Out-of-County Students: To have your full tuition and fees waived, you'll need to select one of the eligible courses determined by your school and get their approval. If you select a course that is not eligible for ECAP benefits and is not approved by your school, you will only receive a 25% tuition discount. 

3. Complete ECAP Form

AACPS Students

• Complete the ECAP Funding Request Form to apply for your ECAP benefits. If you select a course that is not approved for ECAP benefits, complete the Maryland Public High School Tuition Discount Request Form to request a 25% tuition discount. Contact the AACPS help desk, [email protected], if you have trouble accessing your ECAP form. 
• ECAP for gifted and talented participants (under 16 and having completed seventh grade) must receive preapproval. Contact your school counselor for details about the preapproval process.
• Once you have accessed your form, add the course(s) you plan to enroll in and submit your form for approval. Submitting your form will auto-generate a chain of approval emails (parent/guardian, counselor, principal). If approved, the funding request is automatically sent to us. This process can take several days. Submitting your ECAP application does not register you for your classes.
• Failure to submit an approved ECAP form may result in deregistration from the course.

Out-of-County Public Schools

• Print and complete the ECAP Form for Out-of-County Public Schools Students.
• Both the student and parent/guardian must complete and sign the form. 
  • Obtain the necessary statement and signatures from your high school counselor and principal. If the ECAP application form is not approved or signed by your counselor, complete the Maryland Public High School Tuition Discount Request Form to request a 25% tuition discount. 
• Send the completed ECAP form to the AACC cashier's office, [email protected]. Failure to submit an approved ECAP form or payment by the standard due dates may result in deregistration from the course. 

Homeschool Students

• Print and complete the ECAP Form for Home-School Students.
• Request verification forms by contacting your public school's homeschool office.
  • The AACPS Home Instruction Office can be reached at [email protected]. 
  • Other counties must contact the administration in their school district to determine the appropriate office to provide verification of their home school status.
• Both the student and parent/guardian must complete and sign the form.
• Send the completed ECAP form to the AACC cashier's office, [email protected], so the 25% tuition discount can be applied to your credit classes.

Private School Students

• Print and complete the ECAP Application for Private School Students.
• Both the student and parent/guardian must complete and sign the form. 
  • Obtain the necessary signatures from your high school counselor, principal or other appropriate school official. This may be done through scanning or email. 
• Send the completed ECAP form to the AACC cashier's office, [email protected], so the 25% tuition discount can be applied to your credit classes.

For questions regarding the ECAP form submission, email AACC's cashier's office at [email protected] or call 410-777-2236. Do not send any sensitive information, including credit card, birth year or Social Security number, via email.

4. Register for Classes

Whether you are a new or returning student, register for classes through your MyAACC account or complete the credit registration form. Students who are ECAP participants younger than 16, having completed seventh grade, must use the credit registration form. Submitting your ECAP application doesn't register you for your classes.

5. Pay Your Bill

Maryland public school students approved for ECAP benefits by their school must submit their completed ECAP form to [email protected] prior to registration. All other students should log in to their MyAACC account and pay according to the payment deadlines. Learn more about setting up a payment plan.

We recommend paying the required tuition and fees at the time of registration. You will receive any applicable refund for the approved ECAP benefits or discounted amount once your ECAP form is processed.  

A more simple option:

• For Maryland Public School Students: If your school approves you for ECAP benefits, email your completed ECAP form to [email protected] before you register for classes.
• For Everyone Else: Log in to your MyAACC account and pay by the deadlines. You can also set up a payment plan.
• Pay Early: It’s best to pay your tuition and fees when you register to avoid being dropped for nonpayment.
• Form Processing: If your ECAP or Tuition Discount Request form isn’t processed by the time you register, your bill won’t show any payments from your school or discounts. Once your form is processed, you’ll get any refunds or discounts you’re eligible for.

For AACPS Students: Once your ECAP form has been approved and processed by the cashier's office, the AACC Bookstore will ship your required textbooks and course materials to the address on file at no cost to you. You do not need to order any of your required course materials.

Dropping and Withdrawing from Classes

ECAP students must adhere to the same standards and policies of all students. This includes dropping or withdrawing from a course. It must be done on time.

Note: A withdraw on your transcript may affect future financial aid benefits.