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Global High School Scholars

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Global High School Scholars

Our Global High School Scholars program allows motivated high school students from around the world to enroll in a variety of online college courses offered by Foothill College and De Anza College while completing their secondary education in their home countries.

By successfully completing a course, you earn U.S. college credit that appears on an official Foothill or De Anza College transcript and may be transferable to universities in the United States and internationally, depending on each institution’s transfer policies.

Beyond the credit itself, you gain early exposure to the U.S. college academic environment. You’ll learn how to engage with college professors, manage university-level assignments, participate in online discussions, and meet academic expectations similar to those of full-time college students.

For many students, this experience builds confidence, strengthens university applications, and provides a smoother transition to future undergraduate study, whether in the U.S. or elsewhere.

Fequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Must be currently enrolled in high school.
  • Must submit a copy of a current high school transcript.
  • Must provide proof of English proficiency by submitting one of the following: 
    • TOEFL 61 iBT or Band Score 3.5 or Essentials: 6.5
    • IELTS: 5.5
    • Duolingo: 95
    • SAT: 500 EBRW
    • iTEP: Level 4
    • Pearson PTE Academic: 45
    • Cambridge English: 175 Advanced Exam
    • IB English A HL or SL: 4 or better
    • Signed letter from a principal, counselor, or teacher confirming student is qualified to take an online course fully in English (subject to verification by an Academic Advisor)
  • Must meet course prerequisites, if applicable (Individual course prerequisites and placement requirements are indicated in the Foothill and De Anza course catalogs).
  • Must be prepared to pay tuition in full prior to the start of class(es).

High school students who are interested in taking online classes through the Global High School Scholars program must complete our online application HERE.

Once your application is reviewed, you will receive detailed next steps and guidance on course registration and enrollment.

International students can take most Foothill College or De Anza College courses online as long as prerequisites are met. Many students abroad choose ESL, general education, transfer level, or major related classes. We strongly recommend starting with either ESL or general education courses because they are flexible, widely transferable, and help you build a strong academic foundation while you explore interests. They also keep more options open when you apply to universities later.
Search the FOOTHILL CLASS SCHEDULE or DE ANZA CLASS SCHEDULE and filter for classes listed as Fully Online. Check whether the course is synchronous (meets at set days/times each week) or asynchronous (no live meetings) and choose what works best for you. We strongly recommend that you take asynchronous classes to avoid time zone issues.
Yes, some courses, including Math and ESL/English, require you to complete a self-guided placement process prior to registering. If you want to register for Math, ESL/English or another course with a prerequisite, follow instructions for assessment on the Foothill Assessment website or the De Anza Assessment website.
Registration opens approximately two months prior to the quarter start date. Once your individual registration time is available, it will be posted in the Student Registration app in MyPortal. Review the Foothill Academic Calendar or De Anza Academic Calendar for a general outline of all important dates by quarter. 
Please review the Foothill Registration Guide and De Anza Registration Guide for detailed steps on how to access MyPortal and enroll in classes. If you come across any issues, contact the International Student Programs office at Foothill or De Anzafor assistance. 
Yes. Drops must be done through MyPortal. For fall, winter and spring quarters, dropping within the first two weeks of the quarter removes it from your record and will allow you to request a refund. Dropping a class after the second week may result in a W (withdraw) or other grade, and you will be responsible for paying tuition fees. Refer to your class schedule to confirm drop deadlines.  

The program costs $284.00 per unit. Most classes at Foothill and De Anza are 4 units, so a typical online course costs around at $1,136.00. We also waive the application fee for Global High School Scholars, so it's free to apply.

Tuition is due upon registration. Students who do not pay their tuition in full before the start of the term will be dropped from their classes.

Review nonresident rates on the Foothill cashier website or the De Anza cashier website. Payment options are found here.

One unit is equivalent to three hours per week. For most academic courses, this breaks down to one hour of class time (time spent on lecture or online course readings, videos, materials) and 2 hours of additional study time (time spent completing course assignments) per week.
Academic Integrity means that all the work you submit in your online classes is truly your own effort. Even though you are studying remotely, you are expected to follow the same standards as any on-campus student. This includes completing quizzes and exams without unauthorized help, not using AI tools or websites to generate answers unless your instructor clearly allows it, properly citing any sources you use, and avoiding sharing assignments or test answers with others. If you are ever unsure whether something is allowed, ask your instructor before submitting the work. To learn more about your responsibilities, please refer to Foothill Policy on Academic Integrity or De Anza Policy on Academic Integrity.

No. Taking online classes in high school does not make you a transfer applicant. You will still apply as a first-year/freshman unless you continue at Foothill or De Anza after graduating from high school.

Students who complete courses through the program can request a transcript showing the final grade earned in each class. This becomes part of your permanent U.S. college record. You can report these courses and grades on your university applications, and if you are admitted, universities will typically require you to submit your official college transcript. Most courses are graded with a letter grade, though some may offer a Pass/No Pass option. Pass/No Pass grades do not affect your GPA, but some universities may prefer or require letter grades for certain courses.

When you are ready to take it to the next level and enroll with us as a full-time student, you will submit the regular application for international students HERE.

The Foothill International Students Admission team can support you. Email questions to  fhintladmissions@foothill.edu.

The De Anza International Students Admission team can support you. Email questions to daintladmissions@deanza.edu.

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International Student Programs Office

650.949.7293
foothillinternational@fhda.edu

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