College in the High School (CHS) programs provide college level courses in high schools or high school environments to qualified students who are in or are eligible for enrollment in grades 9 through 12. Students who participate in a CHS program are able to earn both high school and postsecondary credit by completing postsecondary level courses with a passing grade. Programs are established in individual agreements between the schools and colleges or universities.
The maximum per college credit tuition fee for a program course is $65 per college credit, adjusted for inflation. High schools that offer CHS programs must provide general information about the program to all students in grades 8 through 12 and their guardians, as well as provide certain program information in course catalogues.
State funding for CHS programs does not include funding for students who are in or eligible for enrollment in grades 9 or 10. For students in grades 11 or 12, funding is prioritized according to statute with a limit of ten credits, although a lower limit may be established in the Omnibus Appropriations Act.
Subsidies may also be provided for students who meet financial aid requirements. The maximum annual number of subsidized credits that a student may receive through these provisions is limited by statute to five, but the Omnibus Appropriations Act may establish a lower limit.
In state statute, the term "institutions of higher education" is defined as the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and community and technical colleges.
Beginning September 1, 2023, institutions of higher education must provide enrollment and registration in CHS courses at no cost for students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade at public high schools.
Beginning with the 2023-2025 Omnibus Operating Appropriation Act (operating budget), the Legislature must pass an operating budget that appropriates state funding for CHS courses administered at public secondary schools. State appropriation shall be calculated using the total CHS courses administered in the prior academic year, funded at a rate of:
Beginning with fiscal year 2025, the rate per CHS course must be adjusted annually for inflation as measured by the consumer price index.
High schools that provide a CHS course must include information in the course catalog that there is no fee for students to enroll in a CHS course. Previous CHS funding statutes are repealed, including statutes permitting institutions of higher educations to charge students a per-credit tuition fee.