The University of Akron is forging formal partnerships with nearly 50 school districts throughout the region as part of the state’s new College Credit Plus (CCP) program.
CCP provides state funding to universities for students who earn college credit while enrolled in grades 7 through 12.
The program is designed to reduce the cost of college for qualified students by allowing them to take carefully designed college-level courses, earn dual high school and college credits, and speed their path to a college degree. The courses are free to the students; the state pays the universities for the course credits; the more credits accumulated by students before they graduate high school, the less time and money they are likely to spend once at college earning their degree.
'College Credit Plus is an opportunity for a student to see what college might feel like without taking on debt.'
– UA PRESIDENT SCOTT SCARBOROUGH
“These diverse course offerings—tailored to the needs of the partnering school districts—permit young students to take some introductory courses required for diverse majors and at the same time explore various interests or potential career paths,” said Dr. Todd Rickel, vice provost and executive dean.
University President Scott L. Scarborough added: “College Credit Plus is an opportunity for a student to see what college might feel like without taking on debt. Additionally, the pricing structure is affordable for the state, the school districts and the taxpayers who support these types of programs.”
UA is offering flexible delivery models/formats for the courses: Sometimes, a high school teacher who qualifies as UA part-time faculty member may teach the college course (using a college syllabus and textbooks) at the school district; the course could be delivered online; UA faculty may teach onsite at the partnering school district; another option allows students to take a class live from UA faculty but remotely through distance learning technology; or the student might choose to take the course on the UA campus or one of its satellite campuses.
UA has priced the courses with the partnering school districts at $40 per credit hour, paid by the state (except for those students taught courses on the UA campus or at one of the satellite campuses; those course credit charges are $160 per credit hour, paid by the state).
CCP is available to public, private, parochial and homeschooled students.
For eligibility requirements, students and parents should go to www.uakron.edu/ccp and speak with a school district counselor to discuss options available at their school.
Media contact: Eileen Korey, 330-972-8589 or korey@uakron.edu
