NATCHEZ — Receiving college credit just got easier for some Natchez High School students.

The Natchez-Adams School Board approved Tuesday an agreement to allow dual enrollment with Alcorn State University.

Natchez Early College Academy students are already eligible for dual enrollment classes. Tuesday’s agreement gives eligible Natchez High School students the ability to receive up to 12 hours of college credit.

The agreement is for the current school year and automatically renews each year.

“One of the goals of the Natchez-Adams School District has been to increase the availability of opportunities for students to participate in dual enrollment classes,” Deputy Superintendent Zandra McDonald said.

Alcorn State has agreed to offer two free dual credit courses to each student provided that each student agrees to enroll in a minimum of four dual credit courses. One free course may be taken during the junior year and one in the senior year. One paid course must be taken each year before the free course is offered.

Additional courses beyond the free courses will be charged at a rate of $300 per course.

McDonald said prices for classes are being offered to students at a discounted rate.

“Alcorn will allow students to take six hours of courses at the cost of three hours of courses,” McDonald said.

To be eligible, students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 on all high school courses. They must either have completed 14 core high school courses or have a minimum 30 score on the ACT.

Students without an ACT score must take Alcorn’s placement test.

Courses provided will be taught by faculty of ASU or adjunct faculty recruited by ASU.

Courses may be taught face-to-face, online or in a hybrid format.

All dual credit course provided will be taught at either ASU or in the Natchez-Adams School District.

For any courses not taught in the school district, the school district will provide bus transportation during regular school hours and arrange for transportation with parents and guardians for any courses provided after school hours.