Community Corner
How to Earn College Credit at Merrimack High School
Running Start offers college credit for courses taught at MHS.
MERRIMACK - Running Start awards college and high school credit for college-level courses taught at Merrimack High School by MHS teachers. Made possible through a partnership with Nashua Community College, Running Start is one of several “dual enrollment” opportunities high schoolers have along with taking colleges classes online through “eStart,” and enrolling in regular classes on the college campus at a discounted rate through “Early College.”
Every year, Greater Nashua high schools add more Running Start classes to the roster. Although Running Start began with many Career and Technical Education courses, at Merrimack High School students can earn Running Start credit in courses like business and philosophy too.
A common misconception is that Running Start is meant for the most high-achieving students, however the classes are designed to be accessible for all students.
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Students can gauge their interest in different subjects while earning college credits, without the college-level price tag. And with Governor Chris Sununu’s STEM Scholarship, up to two Running Start classes classified as STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) are free each academic year.
The regular cost is $150, or $75 with a need-based scholarship. Compare that with the average cost of $1,782 for a 3-credit course, and the savings quickly adds up. At NCC, the regular per-credit cost is $215, making a typical 3-credit course about $645.
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NCC students have started college with up to 22 credits from Running Start courses - putting them one-third of the way toward earning an associate degree as a freshman. And while NCC provides the college transcript for Running Start students, the credits can go anywhere: More than 500 colleges and universities around the country have accepted transfer credits from NCC.
Fall semester is coming to a close - explore what Running Start classes are available at your high school this spring. To learn more, contact NCC’s Dual Enrollment Coordinator Patrick McGinnis at pmcginnis@ccsnh.edu, or (603) 578-6915.
This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local sponsor. The views expressed in this post are the author's own.
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