The original enabling legislation regarding concurrent enrollment (sometimes referred to as “dual enrollment”) was passed in 1966. The "Kansas Challenge to Secondary School Pupils Act" passed in 1993. A statewide committee, under the coordination of the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), compiled interpretive policies, procedures, and standards for concurrent enrollment that were adopted by the KBOR in 2001 and revised in 2005.

The College Now program was introduced in 1984 with an enrollment of approximately 300 students. The program has grown significantly since its beginnings to an average enrollment of over 1500 students a semester in 32 courses offered at more than 20 locations. These operational guidelines are intended to provide direction for the program and insure compliance with applicable statues, policies, procedures, and standards.