The Gifted and Talented program is a great opportunity if you are younger than 16, have completed the seventh grade and are looking at taking credit courses at AACC prior to high school graduation. Eligible Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) students can take classes without paying tuition and fees. Note that textbooks and course materials are not covered and must be paid by the student for the 2022-23 school year.
Who is eligible to participate?
AACPS students and students living in Anne Arundel County who have met the AACPS Home Instruction Office’s ECAP verification guidelines or enrolled in participating private schools are eligible to take credit courses at AACC.
With the approval of your school principal, counselor or appropriate school official, and with a GPA of 2.0 or above, you can get a jump start on your educational goals. Eligible students may participate through the spring term of their senior year.
Steps to Enroll
- Attend a Gifted and Talented Virtual Information Session to learn enrollment steps and discuss course selection.
- If you’ve not applied to AACC, submit your application for admission. After completing your application, you will receive instructions for setting up a MyAACC student account.
- Take the English Accuplacer, and math, if the goal is to enroll in a math or science course. Visit our Testing page for information.
- The director of admissions is your academic advisor. The director will work with the associate deans with course oversight to determine your eligibility to enroll. Once your eligibility to enroll is approved, the director will make sure you are registered.
Tuition Savings
Eligible AACPS students who take classes while in high school will no longer be charged tuition and fees. Eligible AACPS affiliated home-schooled students or students that attend a partnering private school can take classes at a 50% discount.
AACPS Students
- Submit the ECAP application. Go to the AACPS ECAP page to view the application.
- Provide your AACPS username and password and the form will populate with your student information.
- If you need help accessing the form, email AACPS at help-desk@aacps.org.
- Print and complete the ECAP application form on the AACPS ECAP page. The student, parent and high school representative must sign the form.
- Send the completed form to AACC’s cashier’s office. Be sure to white out/scratch off your birth year, leaving only the day and month visible.
- Send a copy of your high school transcript to AACC’s records and registration office.
Anne Arundel County Home Instruction
ECAP Participating Private Schools
- If you attend a participating private school, view the ECAP application form.
- Print and complete the private school's ECAP application form. The student, parent and/or high school representative must sign the form.
- Send the completed ECAP application form to AACC’s cashier’s office. Eligible students will have the 50% tuition reduction applied to their bill. Be sure to white out/scratch off your birth year, leaving only the day and month visible.
- Send a copy of your high school transcript to AACC’s records and registration office.
- Good news! Financial assistance is available through the Early College Access Grant (ECAG) for students who can demonstrate financial need. Complete the FAFSA and the financial aid office will send the ECAG form to your MyAACC student email. Eligible students may receive $200 in the fall term and $200 in the spring term.
*Note that if you live outside of Anne Arundel County but attend a participating private school, you are eligible for a 50% reduction of the out-of-county tuition rate.