Indiana State Partners With Local Schools To Curb College Costs

ISU President Dan Bradley (left) and Vigo County School Corporation superintendent Danny Tanoos announce a partnership between the two organizations to help high school students get more college credit. (Photo Credit: Claire McInerny/StateImpact Indiana)

Indiana State University and the Vigo County School Corporation announced a partnership Monday that will offer high school students in Vigo County Schools the opportunity to earn up to 30 credit hours at ISU before graduating.

The Early College program will allow high school students to enroll in classes that contribute to the five most popular majors at ISU, chosen by Vigo County School Corporation graduates: nursing, pre-business/business administration, pre-elementary education, psychology and criminology and criminal justice.

K-12 teachers approved by the university will receive and implement the curriculum from ISU. If students do not take the class through the Early College program, they can still receive Advanced Placement credit for the course.

ISU president Dan Bradley says giving high schoolers the opportunity to complete up to a year of college credit means the university won’t have as many students with large amounts of student debt.

“I think it can really help the students who are in some of the state funded programs like 21st Century [Scholars program] because it allows them to stay on track for degree completion without overloading themselves,” Bradley says.

Helping students graduate in four years and keeping student debt low aren’t the program’s only goals. VCSC superintendent Danny Tanoos says personal challenges during the first year often hold students back from those other goals, so if they can enter college ahead they won’t suffer academic consequences.

“That first year of college is sometimes the most difficult transition time,” Tanoos said. “I think that takes this edge off of them going into college and gets them ready and prepared, that foundation can just be built on.”

The program will be in full swing this fall. Student will pay $25 per credit hour, and completed credits will appear on their transcript from ISU.