Nicholls is giving high school seniors the opportunity to take classes for college credit at a discounted price beginning this summer through its dual enrollment program. According to Courtney Cassard, director of enrollment services, a high school student can take up to six hours of credit during the summer, fall or spring semesters and receive a scholarship that covers half the tuition. This does not cover laboratory and decal fees, however.
Nicholls has had a high school senior program in the past, Cassard said, but this summer will be the first time that a financial incentive is offered.
“It’s really a great value to students because, basically, taking a three-hour course is costing them $150,” Cassard said.
Because so many high schools are on block schedules, Cassard said, many students are getting out early and have the time to take a college course. Cassard said that many high schools are “really making a push for students either to work or take a college class.”
Rachel Benoit is a senior at Thibodaux High School and is taking a course through the dual enrollment program this summer.
“I really wanted to get my speech class out of the way,” Benoit said. “I’m a nervous speaker, so I just did it because I wanted to give it a shot, and if I liked it, I’d do it again in the fall after some classes in high school.”
Benoit said that since she has mostly electives left to take her senior year, she does not think that taking a college course would interfere with her studies.
The eligibility rules for the program have also changed. The current requirements are that a student must be on track to complete the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students core and also meet one of the admissions requirements, either a 20 on the American College Test, a 2.0 grade point average or placement in the top 50 percent of his high school class. The previous requirements for the high school senior program were a 2.5 grade point average and a minimum ACT composite score of 20.
Another benefit of the dual enrollment program, Cassard said, is that a student can take a remedial class, and be eligible for admission, upon passing the class.
“It’s a great way for them (high school students) to get a head start on their college careers,” Cassard said. “They’re almost a semester ahead when they get here as first-time freshmen.”
Cassard said that so far 25 high school students are signed up for the dual enrollment program. Many of them are enrolled for the fall as well, Cassard said.
“This is something that will be good for the University community to get these students in earlier,” Cassard said. “We know that they’ll fall in love with the programs, services and faculty here, and hopefully they’ll choose to stay as freshmen.
