College Credit Now, a state grant-funded program, aims to reduce the time and cost required to attain a college degree.
This spring, Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) will be launching the “College Credit Now” program to help college-ready high school students, in need of financial assistance, earn college credits.
College Credit Now, a state grant-funded program, aligns with RCBC’s new College Head Start initiative launched in June that aims to reduce the time and cost required to attain a college degree.
“High school students facing economic barriers to higher education will now have the opportunity to earn college credit and get a head start on their degree through Rowan College at Burlington County’s College Credit Now program” RCBC President Paul Drayton said.
The funds from this program will allow 15 college-ready, and in-need, high school students to take two RCBC courses for free while they are still in high school.
Beginning this January, students in the program will be able to choose from eight different RCBC courses offered on the college campus or online. RCBC will also add academic and student support to help them successfully complete the courses and continue their education after high school.
“We are including all of the support needed to help participants succeed in these courses and build a foundation for future success in college,” said RCBC Dean of Enrollment Management Karen Archambault. “There is a seamless connection between the courses offered through the College Credit Now program, an RCBC degree, and a bachelor’s degree, most notably our innovative 3+1 program that allows students to save $75,000 while earning an RCBC and Rowan University degree.”
The College Credit Now program builds on the College Readiness Now initiative, a program offered by RCBC last spring that prepared Willingboro, Delran, Cinnaminson, and Burlington Township high school students for college-level work.
“This program is the perfect complement to our College Head Start initiatives that increase access to high-quality education, reduce the cost and time associated with earning a degree, and represent a real solution to the college affordability crisis,” Drayton said.
This semester, RCBC began a partnership with the Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) that allows their students the opportunity to earn more than 30 RCBC credits toward a degree in electronics engineering while still in high school. By the time they graduate high school, they will have completed their freshman year of college.
RCBC plans to launch similar partnerships in several other high schools next fall that will allow students to complete their freshman year of college in high school.
For more information on RCBC’s College Head Start programs, visit rcbc.edu/headstart. Interested students can also contact the Office of Outreach and Admissions at (856) 222–9311, ext. 1199 or [email protected].
