Interest in early college on the rise
Dec 2, 2008
Dual enrollment accelerates opportunities for students/
financial assistance to parents
Edison State College to host Parent Information Night, December 12
With college costs spiraling out of sight and competition for seats in a freshman university class at an all time high, the road to college is often a stressful journey for both students and parents.
Dual enrollment, the opportunity for high school students to take college courses while in high school, is one way to accelerate students on their college journey and offer parents some financial relief at the same time.
In Lee County, through Edison State College, 565 high school students are participating in early college admission through dual enrollment this fall - an increase of 20% from the fall of 2007. Dual enrolled students currently comprise 7% of the student population on the Lee Campus.
High school students who qualify for early college admission at Edison State do not pay for tuition, fees or books – no different than if they were attending traditional high school classes. They are enrolled as Edison State students taking full college credit courses, as well as meeting high school requirements. Dual enrollment is open to all Lee County public and private high school students and home schooled high school students who meet qualification requirements.
"Early college admission is a terrific opportunity for high school students to get a jump on the college experience," said Dr. Robert R. Jones, Lee Campus President. "Taking college courses while in high school helps prepare them for the transition to the full-time college experience, whether it’s at Edison State or another college or university."
Denielle Cox, a freshman at the University of Central Florida, represents the typical high school student who participates in the early college experience, generally taking 15-30 credit hours concurrent with high school in their junior and senior years, and then transitioning to other colleges and universities.
"Taking college courses my senior year at Edison State gave me a tremendous head start," said Cox. "Just learning how to manage my time in college, registering for classes and understanding college expectations made all the difference when I hit the UCF campus. I arrived at UCF basically as a sophomore, saving a little time and money as I work towards my college degree."
Some ambitious dual enrolled students such as Chanae Jamison, will graduate in May 2009 with both a high school diploma and a 60-plus hour Associates of Arts degree. A two-year Edison State student, 18-year-old Jamison is the president of the Student Government Association and a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society .
"Through dual enrollment I have had the opportunity to get a head start on my career and form strong friendships with people from all different walks of life. I love the flexibility of the class schedule and the professors' willingness to help each student learn," says Jamison.
To learn more about dual enrollment, a Parent Information Night is being held at Edison State College's Lee Campus on Friday, December 12.
Dual enrollment Parent Information Night
Friday, December 12, 2008
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Edison State College
Lee Campus
Hendry Hall Building K Room 211
Call 489-9488 to register.
Media contact:
Pamela Cox-Nulman, APR
239.489.9207
email: pnulman@edison.edu
Last Updated: December 2, 2008
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