Completion of high school graduation requirements is of utmost importance. Our goal is to provide CUSP participants with access to coursework that allows them to explore their interests, while also making sure that they are fulfilling the necessary course requirements set by the Board of Education. Completion of said requirements is also one of the most important factors to providing full access to federal financial aid opportunities.
We recognize that every student is different and that some students may have had access to advanced coursework ahead of their high school cohort while others may not. A simplified list of completion options is provided below:
- Graduation from High School
- Graduate early by fulfilling all graduation requirements ahead of schedule before beginning the CUSP program. Some courses may be available through your high school's summer school options or you may consider taking courses during SUNY Potsdam's Summer Session either online or on-campus
- Graduate mid-year by completing all remaining graduation requirements in the first semester at SUNY Potsdam (full access to federal aid would be available in the Spring semester). CUSP participants would remain enrolled at their high school while completing their first semester (Fall) on campus as a full-time student.
- Graduate on schedule at the end of the year by completing required courses over the course of both the Fall and Spring semesters. CUSP participants would remain enrolled at their high school throughout the entire year.
- Earn a High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma from the New York State Education Department. CUSP participants may opt for a diploma from the New York State Education Department in one of two ways
- By taking and earning passing scores on the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion)
- By completing 24 semester hour credits in specified subjects as a recognized candidate for a degree in an approved (accredited) institution (such as SUNY Potsdam)