The Vermont State Colleges’ dual enrollment program offers several options for students to earn college credit while still in high school. Students have earned as many as 18 college credits—thereby getting a jump start on a college degree, saving money, and also challenging themselves. Lynn Vera, counselor at the Center for Technology, Essex, says, “I am hopeful that more high schools will award credit for graduation core requirements earned at local colleges, as this is just another way we can be flexible in supporting varied student needs.”
If one of your students is ready to enroll in a college-level course now, he or she should contact the college admissions office at the school they would like to attend.
Fast Forward Program
The Fast Forward program is available to students in selected programs at 17 of Vermont’s career/technical centers. Students can use a Fast Forward ticket to earn college credit for one course tuition-free (pending available funding) at the technical center, or can pay $100 for that course and save the voucher to take an additional course at CCV or another college.Here are the participating career/technical centers:
Barre – Barre Technical Center
Bennington – Southwest Vermont Career Development Center
Bradford – River Bend Career & Technical Center
Brattleboro – Windham Regional Career Center
Burlington – Burlington Technical Center
Enosburg Falls – Cold Hollow Career Center
Essex Junction – Center for Technology, Essex
Hyde Park – Green Mountain Technology and Career Center
Lyndon Center – Lyndon Institute Technical Center
Middlebury – Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center
Newport – North Country Career Center
Randolph – Randolph Technical Career Center
Rutland – Stafford Technical Center
Springfield – River Valley Technical Center
St. Albans – Northwest Technical Center
St. Johnsbury – Applied Technology Center at St. Johnsbury Academy
White River Junction – Hartford Area Career & Technology Center
Dual Enrollment Accelerated Programs for High School Students
High school seniors who are academically prepared to enroll in a college-level course may apply to take a college course tuition-free within the Vermont State Colleges or at other selected Vermont colleges and universities.
The course must be taken while the student is still in high school or during the summer after graduation (pending available funding). They should contact the college admissions office for information. Students wishing to take a free course at CCV must first complete Intro to College Studies.
Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
Vermont Technical College offers the VAST program as a full-year alternative to the senior year of high school for motivated seniors and home-schooled students who have a successful academic record and strong interest in math, science and technology. VAST students take standard college courses at VTC to complete their senior year of high school and the freshman year of college simultaneously—tuition-free (pending available funding). VAST is recognized as an independent high school with the authority to grant diplomas.
University of Vermont GAP Program
If a student has thought about UVM but isn’t sure about meeting UVM’s admissions requirements, or if they have questions on how best to prepare for a UVM degree program, check this out. The UVM Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) offers an excellent way to build your student’s academic credentials, complete admissions requirements and ultimately gain admission to the University.