GRAND TRAVERSE REGION -- High school students in the GT region have a chance to save thousands of dollars, and time, earning a college degree.
The Traverse Bay Intermediate School District has partnered with Northwestern Michigan College and Ferris State to offer Early College.
The program will enable high schoolers to earn college credits by completing courses at their home school, online, and on the college campuses. Over the course of five years, the students can earn their high school diploma and up to 73 college credits depending on the career path they choose.
Students will have to enroll in one of four programs at the TC Career-Tech Center as well (choices being allied health, business careers, drafting and design, or manufacturing technology academy).
The program is funded through Michigan school-aid funds, enabling qualified students to obtain college credits at no cost, besides their own transportation to school.
Any student can apply, but eligibility must be earned through qualifying COMPASS Test scores and completing the Early College Application.
As of now, the fields of study lead to careers in allied health medical positions; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and business and accounting.
For more information, contact TBA Early College Coordinator, Meredith Schmidt, at 231-922-6425 or mschmidt@tbaisd.org.
