For pre-approved courses:
1. Fill out this Outside Credit request form.
2. Register for the course.
3. After the course is completed, turn in a transcript with the final grade to your school counselor.

For a list of pre-approved courses, visit the FNSBSD website at www.k12northstar.org/Page/8880.


For all other Outside Credit requests:
1. Fill out this Outside Credit request form.
2. Provide a link to the course syllabus at the end of this form or give the syllabus to your school counselor.
3. After receiving confirmation from the district that this Outside Credit request is approved, register for the course.
4. After the course is completed, turn in your transcript with the final grade to your school counselor.  (If a PE, music, art, or world language course is taken at an unaccredited institution, instead of a transcript the instructor needs to provide a letter stating the student passed the class.)  If an activity log was a condition placed on the course during approval, then it will need to be signed by the instructor or parent and turned into the school as well.

Administrative Regulation 984.3
Purpose:  The purpose is to establish standards and procedures for high school students to earn credit for coursework or experiences outside the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.

Any student requesting outside credit must meet the following criteria:
1. Approval from the executive director of teaching and learning must be obtained prior to registering for the class.
2. The course must meet the following criteria:
     a. The course syllabus will include: topics covered; materials being used; assignments required; grading policy; and instructor’s name and credentials.
     b. The course may have an on-the-job-training component, but it is not to be the main focus of the course.
     c.  The course must be tied to an accredited school, taught by a human instructor, include specific feedback on the student's work, and have assignments, tests, and a clear completion point.  (Exceptions may be made for Physical Education, Music, Art, or World Language courses where instructors are credentialed, but are not part of an accredited program.  Students will earn a pass/fail grade for these courses.)
3. The course must be completed during the school year in which it is begun. Summer courses need to be completed prior to the start of school.
4. If the student needs the outside credit course in order to graduate in May.
     a. The student must be enrolled in the course by the first Friday after spring break;
     b. It is suggested the final examination for any online course be taken by April 15 in order to allow time for retakes; and
     c. The final grade from the outside credit course must be reported to the school five (5) days prior to the school’s graduation.
5. It is the responsibility of the student to get the appropriate paperwork, grade, etc., to his or her school’s counseling department.
6. Courses listed on the district's pre-approved credit list do not require prior approval.
7.  Outside Credit Hours Conversion (Physical Education, Music, Art, and World Languages):  
          0 - 37 hours in class     =     0 high school credit
          38 - 71 hours in class   =     0.25 high school credit
          72+ hours in class        =     0.5 high school credit

Receiving High School Credit for college or university courses, at the 100 level or above, successfully completed PRIOR to entering high school:
1. Students must begin the process of applying for high school credit after enrollment in a FNSBSD high school and no later than the last day of their first semester enrolled.
2. Student meets with counselor and provides official transcripts from university or college in which student was enrolled.  Student and counselor complete the Application for High School Credit for Courses Taken Prior to High School.
3. Counselor submits application, transcripts, and any additional supporting documentation to the Department of Teaching and Learning for review and approval.
4. If credit is approved, the counselor is responsible for notifying the student, ensuring the high school transcript is amended, and placing records into the student’s cumulative file.
 
Eligibility for Student Activities:
Non-traditional credit will only be counted towards eligibility when completed and recorded on the student’s transcript. The student is advised to see their counselor for information and details.

Alaska Performance Scholarship Eligibility:
Non-traditional credit may be submitted for APS eligibility consideration. Courses used for APS must meet the requirements for rigor established by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development.

High School Grades – Course Retakes:
Non-traditional courses and courses taken outside the school district are not considered course retakes for purposes of computing GPA and do not replace previously earned grades (refer to AR 974.1).

College Credit Conversion to High School Credit:
The determination of academic college course credit versus high school credit is as follows:
         1-2 university credit hours     =      0.25 high school credit
          3-4 university credit hours    =     0.5 high school credit
          5-6 university credit hours    =     1.0 high school credit

University of Alaska Fairbanks courses pertaining to music and vocational education may be eligible for more credit than reflected above.

Administrative Regulation 974.1
When a student takes courses at an accredited institution with the approval of the superintendent, outside credit may be awarded.  Grades received for outside credit courses will appear on a student's transcript and will be used in computation of the grade point average.  Outside credit courses are not considered course retakes for the purposes of computing GPA and do not replace previously earned grades.  College courses will be computed using the 4.0 General Course grade point scale.  See AR 974.1 for more information.