Counselor Corner

Peru State College Early Entry and On Line Programs

Every Student Awarded a Scholarship

by Carol Braun

April 07, 2006

A cooperative program between Peru State College and area high schools in southeast Nebraska and adjacent states that gives qualified high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to take college credit courses prior to full-time college study.

To visit the Peru State web site, click on this address: http://www.hpcnet.org/peru/extendedlearningprograms/earlyentry.

Overview: The Early Entry Program (Dual Enrollment) is a partnership between Peru State College and participating school districts in southeast Nebraska and neighboring states. The primary goal of the program is to offer qualified high school junior and senior students opportunities to rise to the challenge of college courses normally taken during the freshman year of college. The Program also offers a way of more effectively utilizing the junior/senior year by preparing students for the work they will receive in college.

The college courses are taught in the high schools by high school teachers who have met the requirements for adjunct instructors of the college's academic departments. These courses are a part of the high school teachers' regular teaching load. Support and supervision is provided by the college faculty.

Student Qualifications: A student enrolling in the program must meet the following criteria:

1. Be recommended by the high school staff.

2. Have a cumulative grade point average of B, its equivalent or better.

3. Be a junior or senior

Tuition: Every qualified student enrolling in the Early Entry Program will be awarded a scholarship equal to half of the tuition to a maximum of 6 hours per semester. Tuition for FY 2005/2006 is $115.75 per credit hour. After the 50% scholarship, the tuition cost would be $57.88 pre credit hour. There are no additional fees and textbooks are generally provided by the high school. Non-resident tuition is waived for those students enrolling out-of-state.

On-line Option: Peru State College offers a wide array of courses on-line. High school juniors and seniors may opt to enroll in on-line classes for dual credit or for college credit only.

Many high schools do not have the teachers qualified to teach in the Early Entry Program or do not have the resources available to offer college credit classes. If the school has a teacher willing to become a "facilitator" and computer(s) available for use, then students may enroll for dual credit in a regularly offered on-line class. The facilitator provides assistance and guidance for the student for successful course completion.

Students taking on-line courses for dual credit would qualify for the scholarship of 50% tuition. Tuition for the On-line Option for FY 2005/2006 is $114.00 per credit hour. After the 50% scholarship, the tuition cost would be $57.00 pre credit hour. Students are required to purchase the textbook for the course. No additional fees are charged.

Advantages of Dual Enrollment

* Allow qualified students to earn college credit and high school credit at the same time.

* Accelerates a student's college career and provides a quality educational experience in familiar surroundings.

* Provides selected course offerings in general education courses widely accepted and generally transferable for upper division enrollment.

* Allows a student to carry a lighter class load during the first semester at college.

* Peru has the lowest tuition rate of any 4-year college or university in the state of Nebraska.