High School Students
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High School Students

Applying to Jefferson as a high school student is easy—just follow the basic application instructions.

When to apply

We review applications on a year-round rolling basis, but we recommend you apply by December 1 of your senior year. Applying early will give you time to pursue financial aid and register for the Jefferson classes you want.

Starting at Jefferson makes sense

Whether you plan to complete a bachelor’s degree or a two-year, career-ready program, Jefferson is a smart bet.

Jefferson’s low tuition, financial aid, and generous scholarships make college affordable. Start here and transfer to a four-year school to stretch your college budget.

You won’t miss out on anything. Full-time Jefferson students can live on campus, and sports, clubs, arts, and leadership programs are open to everyone.

Plus, small classes (averaging just 17 students) mean faculty get to know you as an individual, not just a number. They support your success.

Early admission

Are you motivated and prepared? Jefferson admits high school juniors and seniors ready to take classes on campus or online. Learn about early admission.

EDGE concurrent enrollment

Participating high schools offer EDGE courses that award high school and college credit at the same time—at a third of the normal tuition cost.

Scholarship support

Jefferson offers 270+ scholarships, including Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program for top area scholars and Excelsior for New York families.  Review all scholarships.


Begin before you graduate

The earlier you start planning for college, the better prepared you’ll be.

  • Work with your high school counselor to choose the right courses—build a foundation in English, math, and science
  • Take college courses while in high school through early admission or Jefferson’s EDGE
  • Talk to your parents and family about your college goals and get your counselor’s advice
  • Check out college websites, college fairs, and information sessions
  • Visit any college you can—there’s no substitute for seeing what a school is like first-hand. Come to Jefferson for a personal tour
  • Learn about financial aid (high schools and local colleges often offer info sessions)
  • Take your high school transcript seriously—it’s a record of your preparation and motivation
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