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News Release CENTER NEWS RELEASE / January 21, 2009 Boise State Concurrent Credit Program Awards $25,000 to Help High School Students Pay for College Credits More than 1,100 capable students are earning college credits this year while still enrolled in high school, thanks to Boise State University’s concurrent enrollment program. The program has grown 15 percent since last year, due to the increasing popularity of concurrent enrollment and $25,000 in scholarships that the university made available to students who could not otherwise afford the classes. “Students are our future and this is an investment in our future,” said Fabiola Coca-Juarez, director for Boise State’s program. “We are helping them take advantage of this low-cost opportunity to earn valuable college credit and then encouraging them to continue their higher education.” Students pay $65 per credit (less than a third of normal rates), meaning that a typical 3-4 credit class costs them $195-$260. But that can still be a financial burden for families. The scholarships were awarded based on financial need and helped pay the cost of one class per student per year. “While 90 students were awarded a scholarship, there were more than 100 students who requested a payment plan so they could also participate,” Juarez-Coca said. “We are doing our best to make this program accessible to qualified, motivated students. ” More Treasure Valley high schools have discovered the benefit of offering rigorous university classes to capable high school juniors and seniors, who then earn both high school and college credit for the courses. This year, New Plymouth, Wilder and Weiser joined the program, offering English, U.S. history and calculus classes for concurrent credit. The courses are college level and achieve the same learning objectives as courses offered on the main campus. Boise State’s program is in its 10th year and offers a wide variety of general education classes, from art to biology, foreign language to political science. Credits from these classes can be applied to any degree a student chooses upon entering college. The credits also are transferable to all Idaho colleges and universities, and most institutions outside of the state. National studies show that concurrent enrollment programs like the one at Boise State increase the likelihood of students going on to college full time. Boise State’s own study of its program reveals that participants who enroll full time at Boise State after high school earn higher GPAs and are more likely to persist to graduation. There are a number of incentives along with the benefit of college credit. High school students have access to the Boise State library for research, the Writing Center, tutoring labs and are issued a student ID card and an e-mail account. Qualified high school instructors teach the courses, and several of those instructors report that enrolling in a concurrent enrollment class for dual credit often changes a student’s perspective on school. Students are able to build their self-confidence by taking the courses in the familiarity of their high school, and then setting the attainable goal of going on to a college or university upon graduating from high school. For more information about Boise State’s concurrent enrollment program, call (208) 426-2281, e-mail fjuarez@boisestate.edu or visit www.boisestate.edu/concurrent_enrollment. -30- Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing research agenda. Learn more at www.boisestate.edu.
Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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