Education Tidbits: Save Time And Money With Dual Enrollment Programs

With soaring education costs, it is good to know that there are ways to save money.  Dual enrollment programs around the country afford mostly high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college courses that count toward graduation and as college credit. “Hitting two birds with one stone” if I’ve ever heard of it!  Most programs around the country are at no cost to the families, and still others have a waiver for low income students.  In some states, the cost is paid by the parents.  Yet, if looked upon objectively no matter where the cost burden lies, families will still save money and time to boot.  

Since students are working toward completing general studies during their senior year, they enter college as a sophomore.  That is one less year that families would have to pay full tuition of a 4-year institution. Programs like the one in Virginia put students on track toward earning a General Education Certificate by the end of their high school senior year. Upon graduating from high school with their General Education Certificate, students are able to transition to community college as sophomores. Earning an associate’s degree from a community college positions the students for eligibility for Guaranteed Admission at Virginia colleges and universities.

Programs such as dual enrollment, ensure that students will complete their college education early or on time, which strengthens the workforce and in turn the economy.  Check your state department of education website for more information about your state’s local programs.