The ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) Program is a “5th Year scholarship Program” that 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 the Red Rocks High School Relations Office

• 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