More than 52,000 Ohio high school students took college classes during the 2015-16 academic year, earning college credit while meeting their high school graduation requirements and collectively saving more than $110 million on college tuition.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) recently released details on the first full year of Ohio’s innovative College Credit Plus program, which allows college-ready students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.
Southern State Community College served 1,152 of those high school students in the 2015-16 academic year, which translates to $2.1 million in tuition savings for their families. Under College Credit Plus, there is little or no cost to the families of participating students.
“Through College Credit Plus, more students across Ohio are getting a jump start on their future, and saving money in the process,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor John Carey. “Getting a better value from existing education resources is a win for our students and for our state.”
The first full year of data shows that nearly 15 percent of Ohio’s high school juniors and seniors took advantage of the program, and more than 90 percent of those students received a passing grade required to earn college credit. Statewide, two thirds of the College Credit Plus students took classes offered through Ohio community colleges.
“Southern State is proud to partner with more than 30 high schools in our region to offer the College Credit Plus opportunity to growing numbers of college-ready students,” said Dr. Kevin Boys, SSCC President. “Many of these students are taking Southern State courses right on their high school campuses, thanks to these strong partnerships and the support of their district’s administrators, counselors, and credentialed teachers. Providing these opportunities for their students shows high school students that they indeed can be successful in college if they work hard.”
For more information about College Credit Plus, visit www.sscc.edu/admissions/guidelines/college-credit-plus.shtml or www.ohiohighered.org/ccp.
Submitted by Kris Cross, SSCC director of public relations.
