Huskins College Gateway Program

The Gaston College Huskins Program offers qualified juniors and seniors in Gaston and Lincoln Counties the opportunity to take college courses tuition free during their high school day. The legislation in North Carolina that provides this opportunity is called the Huskins Bill. Students taking Huskins courses are eligible to earn both high school credit and community college credit.

Prior to registering for a Huskins course, a student must be approved by the high school principal. Criteria used by the principal include attendance in high school courses, maturity, and grades. For transferable courses, an overall "B" average is recommended; for career technical courses, an overall "C" average is recommended.

Huskins students must meet the same prerequisite and course admission requirements as adult college students; therefore, students may be required to take a placement test. The COMPASS Placement test is administered by Gaston College and used to evaluate a student's readiness for college level work. The placement test can be waived for students who have scored 500 or higher on the verbal section and 520 or higher on the math section of the SAT, or 21 or higher on the math and 21 or higher on the English portion of the ACT. The placement test is free and can be scheduled through the high school counselor (ASSET), or by calling the Admissions Office of Gaston College (COMPASS).

Additionally, students must submit a completed Application for Admission before being admitted to Gaston College, and all students must meet all academic prerequisites to enroll in a college course. Courses are taught in various locations including the high schools and on both the Dallas and Lincoln Campuses of Gaston College. Check with your high school counselor for details on specific courses offered at your high school. Transfer courses receive honors credit.

Additionally, any grade of "C" or higher on college transfer courses will be accepted by all North Carolina Public Universities and many other in-state and out-of-state colleges following the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Huskins courses are college level courses and will require outside reading and study time. The courses are taught as college level courses and some content is calibrated for a college-age audience. Students will be held responsible for course work covered on days they are absent.

Top