Welcome to TSU Middle College
Highly regarded by state education leaders, the TSU Middle College opportunity opens TSU's college classes to high school students for dual/concurrent credit. Our program, begun in 2003, helps college-bound students get a jump-start on their futures. It also provides a glimpse of college coursework to those high school students unsure about attending college. This booklet serves as a reference for you and your family. Within these pages, you will find helpful information about registration, costs, orientation, attendance, contact information, and much more. We hope it will help make your Middle College experience a positive catalyst as you consider a college career.
Mission statement:
The purpose of TSU Middle College is to provide area high school-age
students educational experiences in a college setting. TSU Middle
College students may take one course or they may begin a course
of study that culminates in a degree. All classes are fully accredited
and will be offered on a TSU campus with university students,
taught by TSU professors.
TSU Middle College information is online
tristate.edu/tsumc
- brochure
- registration procedure—"How to Apply"
- application
- upcoming events
- campus experience
CONTACTS—CAMPUS LOCATIONS
MAIN CAMPUS
Tri-State University
1 University Avenue
Angola, IN 46703
800.347.4TSU
TSU Fort Wayne
9910 Dupont circle Drive East
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260.483.4949
fax: 260.482.8553
TSU Merrillville
3700 East U.S. 30, Suite 1
Merrillville, IN 46410
219.942.9712
fax: 219.947.9735
TSU Angola North
498 East Harcourt Road
Angola, IN 46703
260.624.2420
fax: 260.624.2380
TSU South Bend
211 West Washington Street, Suite 700
South Bend, IN 46601
574.234.4810
fax: 574.234.4854
TSU Howe
5755 N. State Road 9
Howe, IN 46746
260.243.9874 (cell)
fax: 260.562.3678
TSU Kendallville
1607 E. Dowling Street
Kendallville, IN 46755
260.243.9874 (cell)
fax: 260.349.0240
Who should apply to TSU
Middle College?
- first generation college students
- skilled, motivated students who are seeking a different challenge
- college-bound students
- students from public or private institutions, including home
schooled
What does TSU Middle College
Offer?
- advanced studies
- college credit
- campus setting
- evening courses (TSU Merrillville, TSU Angola North, TSU Fort Wayne, TSU South Bend)
- online courses (TSU Merrillville, TSU Angola North, TSU Fort Wayne, TSU South Bend)
Enrollment Stipulations:
Students who have passed their grade-appropriate Indiana Statewide
Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) test may enroll in TSU
Middle College. However, because home schooled students do not
take ISTEP, they should show proof of SAT or ACT scores. Recommended
scores for TSU Middle College entrance should be 800 (minimum)
for SAT and 18 (minimum) for ACT.
Enrollment is determined by individual schools. Any application
given to the Middle College coordinator will receive serious consideration
for attendance. An official high school transcript (attached to
application or faxed) with test scores (ISTEP or SAT/ACT) is needed
for each student.
Registration Procedure:
- Each high school student should complete an application online or give a printed copy to his/her high school guidance
counselor. Sometimes, however, students or parents mistakenly
give it to the coordinator or branch contact person. When this occurs, the MIddle College notifies the local guidance counselor of the student's application.
- Once the application and transcript are ready
for submission to TSUMC, registration may occur
at TSU. High schools should have master schedules in place,
so students know whether morning or afternoon
blocks are available for main campus scheduling.
- Billing occurs approximately two weeks after business office
submission. Deadline for payment is stated on the course listing
sheet, or when the bill arrives.
- All payments are made to Tri-State
University.
- TSU will send the student’s class schedule to his/her
home.
Student of an employee:
If a student is a son/daughter of an employed Tri-State University
professor or staff member, this relationship
needs to be stated on the application. Tuition is free
for these students.
A-Z REFERENCE GUIDE
Associates degree:
Since students may begin attending the summer following their sophomore year, it is possible for students to achieve an associate degree (or 60 hours towards a bachelor’s degree) before graduating from high school. To achieve this, intense planning with the high school guidance counselor needs to be accomplished throughout the four years of high school to provide time for TSU courses.
Course Cost:
Through partnerships with school districts, foundations, and local businesses, TSU Middle College intends to provide its services to students at little or no cost. TSU Middle College charges a maximum of $100 per credit hour. Should a student be a 21st Century Scholar, the cost is reduced to $75 per credit hour.
*Initial application fee is $25.
Should a TSU Middle College student receive a bill that exceeds the Middle College amount, immediate contact should be made with the TSU Business Office (260.665.4108 or 260.665.4112).
Course listings:
The main campus course listings are issued twice a year: spring courses are issued the last week of October/first week of November. Interested students should be registered in November/December for spring courses. Summer/fall courses are issued the last week of February/first week of March. Mid-March is when registration for summer/fall courses begins. Off-campus sites (Angola North, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Merrillville) issue their lists several weeks prior to each semester. Fall registration typically trickles throughout the summer.
Guidance counselors are to contact the Middle College coordinator as soon as their school's schedule is completed (in the spring), so students can be registered (for summer/fall). TSU listings can also be mailed.
Course selection:
All TSU freshmen level courses (#100 courses: i.e., UE 101, CH 114, etc.) and some 200+ are open for high school enrollment. If no prerequisite exists, students can take any general course. If students are presently taking AP courses, however, some upper-level courses may be open to them. For example, a successfully passing AP Calculus student may enroll in TSU’s Calculus II class, upon AP completion. In essence, TSU will honor the AP Calculus as a Calculus I college course.
A high school honors class (e.g., Honors English) is not an advanced placement course and will not receive automatic college credit. Students enrolled in honors classes are considered non-AP students, needing to enroll in basic/introductory TSU courses. The only exception to this would be a student who CLEPS out the basic course.
All high school students are encouraged to take the University Experience class, where survival tips and study skills are emphasized. Often students attend, believing they are fully equipped for college-level courses, only to discover otherwise mid-way through a course. The University Experience class helps students adapt to university expectations. It is a one-credit course, offered once a week. University Experience is also offered online.
Dual/concurrent credit:
Each high school will decide whether dual credit will be given for course work. TSU Middle College serves each school to meet individual needs, so TSU Middle College will honor individual school policies.
Foreign-exchange students:
Foreign-exchange students may attend. They will pay the $100 per credit hour, no deductions. Host family parents will sign the application. Host families should, however, make sure that natural parents have given consent.
IDs:
Middle College IDs provide library access and are issued at orientation time. ID pictures are taken at Forman Hal in the Registrar's Office on the main campus and/or at TSU Fort Wayne, TSU Angola North, TSU South Bend and TSU Merrillville.
Online/telecourses:
Online courses do exist. Check listings for availability.
Telecourses are NOT for Middle College students.
Orientations-main campus program only:
Three orientations are held annually.
- Winter orientation (December or January) is for students who registered in November for spring (January-May) courses. A presentation covering important aspects of the program, plus textbooks, IDs, student TSU handbooks, and schedules are distributed at that time. Brief tours are also given. Many spring students do not attend fall/summer classes, so a more thorough orientation is required at this time.
- Spring orientation (April or May) is a celebration for all: exiting seniors are awarded, while incoming summer/fall students are introduced. After acknowledging seniors, the audience may ask questions of the exiting students and parents to learn more about the TSU Middle College experience. This orientation is open to registered and interested students.
- August orientation prepares for the first day of class, introduces key staff members, and covered TSUMC policies.
Orientations are also required at TSUI Fort Wayne, TSU Merrillville, TSU Angola North, and TSU South Bend. Call campus directors for additional information.
Branch campus orientations:
Branch campus staff will alert enrolled students of branch orientations.
Park Avenue Café/Centennial Station (main campus only):
Main campus TSU Middle College students have access to the Park Avenue Cafe and Centennial Station. Students are encouraged to enjoy this aspect of college life.
Part-time or Full-time attendance:
The majority of students attend part-time, enrolling in morning, afternoon, or evening classes. However, mid-term graduates may attend TSU Middle College full-time during their spring semester for the same TSUMC cost.
Once a student participates in commencement exercises, he/she is considered a graduate. Summer attendance after commencement is allowed, but at undergraduate cost.
Sessions:
MAIN CAMPUS:
Middle College students may attend any or all of the three sessions:
- Fall (August–December)
- Spring (January–May)
- Summer:
- Option one: 12 week session (May 10–July 31)
- Option two: First six weeks (May 10–June 18)
- Option three: Second six weeks (June 21–July 31)
TSU OFF-CAMPUS SITES
(Angola North, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Merrillville, Kendallville, and Howe):
Middle College students may attend any or all of the four sessions:
Sports eligibility:
IHSAA rules must be followed. Eligibility of MC enrollment depends on individual school policies.
Textbooks:
Textbook costs will be the responsibility of all students. Branch students will order on-line; main campus students may purchase from the main campus bookstore. Check with bookstore policies; sometimes textbooks can be "bought" back by the bookstore, as a used text, at the close of a semester. Main campus bookstore phone number is 260.665.4152.
Tutorial assistance:
On the main campus, Kathie Wentworth (260.665.4853) directs the
tutorial program. Her services are available to both University
and Middle College students. She receives notification from professors
if a student has a D or F in a class. She receives deficiency
reports and calls parents. The Middle College Coordinator/Assistant,
is also notified and will speak with students and alert guidance counselor(s).
TSU professors work well with students. Should a student be concerned
of a grade or need time individually with an instructor, they
may contact the professor by e-mail or phone. Some instructors
hold study review groups. It is important that Middle College
students seek this aid, if aid is needed.
Financial Advisor, free services
Should a Middle College student have a question concerning what scholarship opportunities exist as an undergraduate or how to fill out the FASFA form, free assistance is provided through TSU Admission. Phone number: 260.665.4438.
Transportation & parking:
Students are to provide their own transportation. A free parking
permit is given to each main campus Middle College student. Parking
permits are not necessary for off-campus sites.
