The ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) Program

ASCENT is a fifth-year high school program that allows students to enroll at a community college as a full-time student for one academic year (fall and spring semester) after 12th grade. Students will enroll in college courses at no tuition cost to the student (or their families). Additional costs, such as textbooks and student fees may or may not be covered by the school district. Talk with your high school counselor or school district ASCENT coordiator to learn more. 

More information about the ASCENT program can be found at: www.cde.state.co.us/postsecondary/ce_ascent

The TREP (Teacher Recritment Education & Preparation) Program

The TREP program creates opportunities for qualified students in educator career pathways to enroll at a community college as a full-time student for two academic years (fall and spring semesters) after 12th grade. Students will enroll in college courses at no tuition cost to the student (or their families). Additional costs, such as textbooks and student fees may or may not be covered by the school ditrict. Talk with your high school counselor or school district TREP coordinator to learn more. 

More information about the TREP Program can be found at: www.cde.state.co.us/postsecondary/trep 

ASCENT/TREP Orientation Slideshow- Learn about all the steps you should take to get prepared for your ASCENT/TREP Enrollment at RRCC!

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

           ASCENT:

• Talk with your home high school counselor to see if you are eligible to participate in ASCENT
• Meet all high school district graduation requirements
• Complete 9 college credits by senior year of high school
• Have your nomination submitted to your school district by school district specific deadline (typically between November-March of senior year)
• Be at college level in English and Math (These are the minimum score requirements-higher level math prerequisites will vary).

TREP:

• Talk with your home high school counselor to see if you are eligible to participate in TREP
• Student is following the Teacher Career Pathway and on schedule to complete one college course and/or experiences within the Teacher Career Pathway by senior year of high school.
• Enrolls in college courses specified in the Teaching career Pathway
• Meet all high school district graduation requirements
• Have your nomination submitted to your school district by school district specific deadline (typically between November-March of senior year)
• Be at college level in English and Math (These are the minimum score requirements-higher level math prerequisites will vary).

Minimum placement score requirements: 

Step 2: Fill out the applications & Campus Select Contract

1. Complete the free Red Rocks Community College application for admission and the College Opportunity Fund applications. Click here to start your application.

• Please note: You may already have a RRCC account established if you registered for Concurrent Enrollment credits through your high school. You can call (303) 914-6600 to get your student ID number. 

2. Complete the RRCC Campus Select Contract

• Please note: You may be required to complete and submit a school district issued ASCENT/TREP Agreement.

Step 3: Complete online orientation

• Complete the online orientation by logging into The Rock and clicking on the Student tab. Your temporary password for the first time logging into The Rock will be StudentMMDDYYYY (the word Student, followed by your date of birth).
• Click Here for Step-by-step instructions on accessing the orientation. 

Step 4: Complete the assessment process

• Complete Academic Assessment by submitting your ACT/SAT scores, taking the Accuplacer Assessment test or completing self-guided assessments for English and/or math.
• Click here for testing information.
• Contact the Assessment Center to determine if your scores have already been submitted to the college: assessment.center@rrcc.edu
• You can submit your ACT or SAT scores to: Highschoolrelations@rrcc.edu    

Step 5: 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 6: Visit with a Red Rocks Pathway Advisor each semester

• Meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss your degree pathway and plan out your classes each semester, starting with the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. 
• TREP students will also be required to meet with the Teacher Education/Early Childhood Education Department Program Advisor to mentoring and advising. 
• Be sure to have official college transcripts from other colleges or AP score reports sent to RRCC so you can get credit for all your college credits!

 

Warren Tech ASCENT Students:

1. Meet with your Warren Tech Instructor to determine what Warren Tech classes to enroll in each semester.

2. Meet with the Warren Tech Adult Program Coordinator in the RRCC Admissions Office for assistance with online registration: Admissions@rrcc.edu 

3. Meet with a RRCC advisor to determine what general education courses you should also enroll in each semester. You are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 college credits each semester.

 

How to schedule an appointment with a RRCC Advisor

Log into Navigate or call the Advising Fron Desk at: (303) 914-6275

Click Here to watch a short video on how to schedule an appointment on Navigate

Click Here for step-by-step instructions on how to schedule an appointment on Navigate Submit your 5th Year Academic Plan

 

Step 7: View your declared major and make sure it's correct

• Log into The Rock student portal and view your Degree Check or work with a pathway advisor to make sure you have the correct major declared.
• You can update your major on The Rock Student Portal Student Tab, under "My Student Stuff". The deadline to update your program of study is the posted census date for each semester. 

Step 8: Visit with a Concurrent Enrollment Office representative to submit paperwork and complete registration

• Meet with a representative in the Concurrent Enrollment Office to submit required paperwork and for assistance with registration and next steps after registration.
• We will hold a mandatory orientation for you attend prior to the start of your first semester and strongly encourage you to attend. 
• We're your "RRCC homebase" and we'd love to meet you and see how we can help ensure your success!

 

Class Registration

Please note some school district notification on ASCENT selections may not be received until June. Students may register for classes online prior to acceptance into the ASCENT Program, but will be responsible for all tuition and fees until official acceptance is received. 

• Register for classes online through Navigate or The Rock student portal. 

Click Here to watch a short video on how to register for classes in Navigate.

Spring 2025 Deadlines:

• Priority registration deadline: January 10, 2025
• Last day to register/add 15-week spring courses: January 24, 2025
• Last day to drop 15-week spring courses: February 5, 2025