How One Class Earns College & High School Credit

Greater Nashua high school students preparing to begin the new fall semester can take advantage of Dual Enrollment opportunities through Nashua Community College to potentially earn both college and high school credit for a single class.

And while so much is up in the air for fall 2020, Dual Enrollment is ready to welcome students.

Dual Enrollment Coordinator Patrick McGinnis said despite the health crisis “Nothing’s really changed” regarding access and availability of dual enrollment classes.

“The only different is we’re anticipating more students enrolling in online classes, so they can complete their credits from anywhere,” he said.

Earn college credit for free

The NH Governor’s STEM Scholarship allows high school students to take two STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes per academic year for free.

Patrick said for students who don’t know about the Governor’s Scholarship, it’s a great deal and includes classes they might not expect; “We have classes not traditionally considered STEM, like some businesses classes.”

Transferable credits

Credits earned through Dual Enrollment programs are also highly transferable and can end up saving students thousands in tuition costs. Dual Enrollment students have graduated high school with more than a semester’s worth of college credits.

Dual Enrollment programs

Dual Enrollment refers to programs that can earn high school and college credit, and includes Running Start, Early College, and eStart. The Governor’s STEM Scholarship applies to all three programs.

• Running Start classes are available through the student’s high school, and taught by high school instructors with support from the community college. Cost: $150/class, with need-based scholarship: $75/class, and with Governor’s Scholarship: $0
• Early College classes are taught by community college instructors either on campus, hybrid, or online. High school students learn alongside college peers and choose from the college course schedule; including day, evening, and weekend courses. Cost for the 2020-2021 academic year is 50 percent off regular tuition, and equals $323/3-credit class, or $430/4-credit class, or free with Governor’s Scholarship.
• eStart classes are 100 percent online, offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire, and comprise only high school learners. Cost: $150/class, with need-based scholarship: $75/class, and with Governor’s Scholarship: $0

The best way to learn more and sign up is to contact Patrick at 603.856-6117, or pmcginnis@ccsnh.edu.

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