The ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) Program is a “5th Year scholarship Program” that if selected, allows high school seniors to remain enrolled at the high school and take a fifth year consisting entirely of college classes.

The Benefits:

• Take college coursework immediately following your senior year of high school
• Tuition paid by your school district
• Earn an Associate’s Degree or transfer your credits to a four-year college

To get started, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirements

• Talk with your high school counselor to see if you are eligible to participate in ASCENT
• Meet all high school district graduation requirements
• Complete 12 college credits by senior year of high school
• Be selected for participation by your high school principal
• Be at college level in English and Math (These are the minimum score requirements-higher level math prerequisites will vary).

Step 2: Fill out the paperwork

• Complete the ASCENT Agreement and Registration Form.
  Click here to download the ASCENT Agreement
• Read and sign the Student Payment Agreement with a parent.
  Click here to download the Student Payment Agreement form 

Step 3: Fill out the applications

• Complete the free Red Rocks Community College application for admission and the College Opportunity Fund applications. Click here to start your application.
• Please note that you may already have a RRCC account established if you registered for Concurrent Enrollment credits through your high school.

Step 4: Complete online orientation

• Complete the Mandatory Red Rocks 101 Online Orientation.
  Click here to start the Red Rocks 101 Orientation.

Step 5: Complete the assessment process

• Complete Academic Assessment by submitting your ACT/SAT scores or come in to take the academic placement test. Click here for testing information.
• Contact the Assessment Center to determine if your scores have already been submitted to the college: (303) 914-6720.

Step 6: Complete the FAFSA application for federal student aid

• Click here to start your FAFSA application.
• Determine the amount of grants and scholarships (no loans) you may be eligible for.
• Click here to visit the Red Rocks Financial Aid website to learn more about financial aid.
• ASCENT students will have the option to accept ASCENT or financial aid depending on which option is most beneficial.

Step 7: Visit with a Red Rocks Academic Advisor to plan your 5th year of college courses and the High School Relations Office to complete registration

• Meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss your degree pathway and plan out your classes for your 5th year. Click Here to for the 5th Year Academic Plan worksheet. 
• Meet with a High School Relations representative to submit your paperwork, discuss your scores, and register for courses.

Click here to view ASCENT Guidelines

Click here to download the ASCENT Checklist 

Click here to download the Schedule Questionnaire