Students intending to participate in College Credit Plus (CCP), the program that provides Ohio students with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, can now begin the notification process for the 2017-18 school year.

Public high school students may notify their principals of their interest to participate, and must declare their intent to participate by April 1. This includes students who participated in the first and/or second year of College Credit Plus.

“Southern State Community College has agreements with several local high schools to offer specific courses onsite, so students never have to leave their high school campus to earn college credit from credentialed faculty,” said Dr. J.R. Roush, SSCC dean of core studies. “Students can also choose to attend one or more of Southern State’s four campuses, as well as study online.”

Southern State currently provides CCP opportunities for students in Highland, Adams, Brown, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Lawrence, Madison, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Warren counties.

“I encourage parents and students to talk about the opportunity College Credit Plus provides and how it fits into their academic plans. The exploration should include talking to their guidance counselor and determining whether they are academically and socially ready,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor John Carey.

College Credit Plus provides students with the opportunity to take college classes offered by any Ohio public college or university, or from any participating private postsecondary institution, at their high school, on the college or university campus, or online. It is free to families when students take courses offered by Ohio public colleges and universities.

In an effort to give more students and families the opportunity to save on the cost of college, College Credit Plus now includes a summer term. Credits earned by taking courses through College Credit Plus during a summer term will be applied to students’ high school and college transcripts during the fall. Students and parents should check the summer term registration deadline for the college or university from which the student intends to take courses.

The application window for nonpublic and homeschool students opened Feb. 20 and 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 on College Credit Plus, visit www.sscc.edu/admissions/guidelines/college-credit-plus.shtml or www.ohiohighered.org/ccp.

Kris Cross is the director of public relations for Southern State Community College.