(A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Chapter 3365 of the Revised Code, any student enrolled in a public or nonpublic secondary school in the student’s seventh or eighth grade; any student enrolled in a nonchartered nonpublic secondary school in the student’s seventh or eighth grade; and any student who is exempt from the compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home education under section 3321.042 of the Revised Code and is the equivalent of a seventh or eighth grade student, may participate in the college credit plus program, if the student meets the applicable eligibility criteria required of secondary grade students for participation. Participants under this section shall be subject to the same requirements as secondary grade participants under this chapter.

(B) Participants under this section shall receive high school and college credit for courses taken under the program, in accordance with the option elected under section 3365.06 of the Revised Code. High school credit earned under the program shall be awarded in the same manner as for secondary grade participants.

(C) If a participant under this section elects to have the college reimbursed under section 3365.07 of the Revised Code for courses taken under the program, the department shall reimburse the college in the same manner as for secondary grade participants in accordance with that section.

(D) Notwithstanding section 3327.01 of the Revised Code, the parent or guardian of a participant under this section shall be responsible for any transportation for the participant related to participation in the program.