Everett Community College Boosting College In The High School Program

In hope more students will continue on to college, Everett Community College has announced it is going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to help low income students earn college credits while still in high school…

Everett Community College’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved spending up to $300,000 for low-income students to earn college credit for free through EvCC’s College in the High School program.

“The funds allocated by the Board of Trustees will increase access to college, increase enrollment opportunities for low-income, first generation college students and strengthen pathways from Snohomish County High Schools to EvCC,” said EvCC President David Beyer.

College in the High School, in partnership with school districts, allows high school students to earn college credit for select classes taught by teachers at their own high schools.

The money will allow students who receive free and reduced lunch at 18 high schools within EvCC’s service district (see below for list) to earn five college credits per semester cost free starting Oct. 1.

EvCC estimates that the funding will pay for 1,350 five-credit classes. EvCC will also waive the cost of college placement testing for qualifying students.

For more information about College in the High School, visit EverettCC.edu/CHS or call 425-267-0150.

Currently, high school students must pay out-of-pocket to have a course count for college credit. Although the cost of earning college credit through College in the High School is about 40 percent less than EvCC tuition, many students cannot afford to pay.

In the Everett Public School District, about 30 percent of students enrolled in a College in the High School eligible course do not receive college credit, according to EvCC records.

Research shows that students who complete high school having earned some college-level credit are more likely to go on to attend college.

Low-income high school graduates may be eligible to participate in EvCC’s TRIO program, which provides personal academic, career, financial and other support to qualifying college students. EvCC received two TRIO grants from the Department of Education this summer.

EvCC has one of the largest College in the High School program in Washington state, serving more than 2,700 students in 20 school districts.

EvCC’s College in the High School program is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. EvCC is the first and only community college in Washington state to receive this accreditation.

Snohomish County high schools in EvCC’s service district include:

• Arlington
• Cascade
• Everett
• Henry M. Jackson
• Sequoia
• Granite Falls
• Lake Stevens
• Kamiak
• Mariner
• Sno-Isle Skills Center
• Marysville-Pilchuck
• Marysville Arts & Technology
• Marysville-Getchell
• Monroe
• Snohomish
• Glacier Peak
• Stanwood
• Sultan