GREENVILLE — The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) College Credit Plus (CCP) process deadline for 2017-18 is April 1.
CCP gives students in 7th – 12th grades the chance to earn high school and college credit, simultaneously, by taking courses at participating Ohio colleges or universities. The state is in its third year of offering the program, and since then, more than 52,000 students students participated saving more than $120 million in college tuition costs, according to ODE.
The program is free to families when students take courses offered by Ohio public colleges and universities, according to ODE. Associate Director for Media Relations at ODE Brittany Halpin, said for public school students each school district receives funding per pupil, per year. The amount of funding for a pupil attending public colleges and universities, during high school, gets re-directed to that college or university that student attends.
Junior Greenville High School student Landin Brown hopes to have about 70 credit hours by graduation through CCP, Career Tech Tests, and Advanced Placement (AP) Tests. He has been participating in CCP through Edison State Community College since his sophomore year, beginning with basic Composition I and II. This year, he said he was able to experience the technical side of things by taking some on-line courses.
“At first, it was VERY difficult to juggle these with my high school coursework,” he said. “But once you get used to it, it’s almost like taking a more in-depth class than you would have been taking for high school. As far as recommending it for other students, I would say it all depends on the student. If you feel like you’d be able to handle the extra assignments or responsibility, I would say go for it. Getting so many college credit hours, for free, while you’re still in high school can really help out with student debt and help you graduate earlier. I’ve had my best experiences with the high school teachers who are qualified to teach the Edison classes in their rooms.”
In an article published by Sarah West, in “Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine” Sept. 26, 2016, she suggests participating in CCP warrants thorough consideration.
“It should be emphasized that the decision to participate in CCP must be made with the best interests of the student, which includes not only academic needs, but social, emotional and cognitive needs, as well,” she said. “Parents must be realistic about whether their particular student has the independence and motivation to participate successfully in CCP.”
Darke County numbers show 448 enrollments in the Fall of 2015, and 420 in the Spring of 2016. Some of the school district’s current enrollments are as follows: Franklin-Monroe has eight enrolled in Sinclair Community College, 84 in Edison and 126 at Urbana University (some students may be enrolled in more than one school); Mississinawa Valley – 25; Bradford – 41; Greenville – 133; Tri-Village – 33 and Ansonia – 55.
CCP Success Adviser at Edison’s Darke County Campus Rachel Carlisle said the college works with all of the county schools. Qualifying high school students may notify their principals of their interest to participate and must declare their their intent to participate by April 1.
“They can apply to our program past that date but they have to notify their schools by the due date,” Carlisle said.
The program offers a maximum of of 30 credit hours per year, with a 120 total credit hour cap. The qualifying process involves a formula and an evaluation that is different for every student, Carlisle said.
“We do have high school students that graduate with an associate’s degree when graduating high school,” she said. “That is possible to achieve if they meet all high school graduation requirements, plan well, stay focused and dedicated.”
The application window for non-public and home school students closes April 15. Those students may send their letter of intent to participate to the Ohio Department of Education, 25 S. Front St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.
For additional information, visit https://www.ohiohighered.org/content/college_credit_plus_info_students_families
