Save on College Costs!

Save Over 60% In College Costs in High School

by Jasmine York

Did you know parents can save an average of $5,000- $24,000 each year their high school student participates in a grade acceleration program? An agreement made between the Alabama Department of Education and several colleges allows high school students to earn college credit early through programs like dual enrollment, online classes, early college, or accelerated high school.
Intro undergrad courses like English 101, Science, and History are offered to high schoolers as a way jumpstart to their college career, with the potential to earn up to 30 credits through some programs.
Parents are able to dodge a lot of the university fees full-time college students are hit with every year. Since tuition is offered at only a fraction of the cost, parents are able to save thousands! Parents should ask administrators about possible scholarship opportunities to save even more.
Most colleges also award students who score a 4 or 5 on the AP (Advanced Placement) exams with college credit. AP exams only cost $89 each. However, out of over 3 million AP exams administered the average score was slightly below 3 in 2012 (a 2.84 in Alabama).
With grade acceleration programs, students to learn from professors, do college coursework, and are awarded the credit they’ve earned from passing the class. Plus, most of the credits earned are transferrable and applied to their transcript(s).
So what’s the catch? It’s important to keep in mind that these are college level courses and grades earned remain on high school and college transcripts. It’s better to consult with school advisors to determine the best options for your teen. The following are four different programs to consider.

Auburn University at Montgomery
Dual Enrollment allows students to earn both college and high school credit for selected courses. Traditional AUM college students pay $270 per credit hour. read more

Jacksonville State University
Through Accelerated High School, students can earn college credit alongside regularly admitted students or on an off campus institution with other high schoolers. read more

University of Alabama
With Early College, college credit can be earned with the full on-campus experience available during the summer (including housing) with other high schoolers or online classes during fall/spring. read more

Troy University 
Dual Enrollment classes may also be offered online. Students can receive dual credit for selected courses. Traditional Troy students pay $264 for each undergraduate credit hour.
read more

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On Campus and Online Dual Enrollment at Faulkner University
How much?
$90 for the first course per semester.
Additional courses cost $560 per credit hour.
Perks?
Sign up for Dual Enrollment at Faulkner for two consecutive semesters and enroll as a full-time student at Faulkner to receive the Dual Enrollment Award, which gifts students with $1,000 every year for four years.