Introduction
Parents are constantly looking for ways to save and earn money for their children’s futures. Institutions recognize these growing challenges and are offering options to help families achieve their goals without emptying their wallets. Traditional scholarships and financial aid are still great options, but there’s another powerful program you might not have heard about yet: Dual Enrollment. This program allows high school students to take college courses and earn credit before they even graduate, often at a fraction of the cost. It’s offered in various formats, including online.
Why Dual Enrollment?
The cost of college is skyrocketing. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average in-state student attending a four-year institution and living on campus pays $27,146 per year. Even without room and board, the average tuition bill is still $9,750. What’s even more alarming? The cost has more than doubled in the 21st century, growing at an annual rate of 4.11%. That’s a steep hike considering the already high cost of tuition—and it’s only getting more expensive. Dual enrollment offers a smart solution for anyone looking to reduce future college expenses.
Dual Enrollment is currently offered in 48 states, including the District of Columbia. Twenty-seven of those states require post-secondary institutions to notify students and schools about their dual enrollment programs. This option is already widely available, and more schools are jumping on board.
But the benefits don’t stop at saving money. Students who enroll in Dual Enrollment programs tend to thrive in college. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 60.4% of students in dual enrollment programs go on to earn a post-secondary degree. Those numbers speak for themselves—Dual Enrollment is a smart move for students looking to get ahead.
HBCU Enrollment Program
As mentioned earlier, many institutions offer Dual Enrollment programs. One exciting program worth highlighting is the HBCU Enrollment Program, created by the National Colleges Resources Foundation (NCRF). This initiative partners with select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to offer students in grades 9–12 the chance to earn college credits towards a degree at one of their partner schools. As long as the student maintains a GPA of 2.5 or higher, they’re eligible to enroll.
The courses are offered online and taught by college professors, covering topics like Intro to Computer Programming, Intro to Psychology, and U.S. History. Even better? Students who complete the program are automatically accepted into the partner college, with the potential for scholarships once they graduate high school. Plus, both NCRF staff and college faculty are available to provide tutoring and support, ensuring students stay on track.
Here’s the current list of partner institutions:
- Alabama A&M University
- Benedict College
- Bennett College
- Bethune Cookman University
- Central State University
- Claflin University
- Coppin State University
- Delaware State University
- Dillard University
- Fisk University
- Florida Memorial University
- Fort Valley State University
- Grambling State University
- Harris Stowe State University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Johnson C Smith University
- Morgan State University
- Miles College
- Paine College
- Paul Quinn
- Philander Smith College
- Talladega College
- Saint Augustine University
- South Carolina State University
- Southern University
- Tuskegee University
- Texas Southern University
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
With such a wide range of partners, the opportunities are truly endless! In addition to the Dual Enrollment program, NCRF also offers an extensive Internship, Apprenticeship, Career, and Entrepreneurial Program to connect students with valuable resources and career opportunities. More information, as well as the application, can be found on NCRF’s website.
Conclusion
As the cost of tuition continues to rise, it’s crucial for families to start planning early for college. Dual enrollment is proving to be an affordable, effective option that more families should take advantage of. Not only does it help save money, but it also sets students up for success in college and beyond. Whether through a local program or the HBCU Enrollment Program, there’s never been a better time to get a head start on college. Why wait to take control of your future? Dual enrollment might just be the key to unlocking endless opportunities for your child.
For a list of all state’s dual enrollment programs, you can go to the following page: https://reports.ecs.org/comparisons/dual-concurrent-enrollment-2022-03
